2014 Lotus Exige V6 Cup and Cup R Are Two Treats for Track Rats
British sports car maker Lotus has been through an awful (and we do mean awful) lot in the last few years. It has changed ownership, seen its then-CEO unveil a comically ambitious future product plan, fired aforementioned CEO amid allegations of fraud, battled for the rights to use its name in Formula 1 (only to withdraw direct financial support to the team shortly after winning its case), and entered and exited the Izod IndyCar Series as an engine supplier after one monumentally embarrassing season of turning Dallara DW12s – which were very quick when fitted with Honda and Chevrolet engines – into mobile chicanes.
Yet even in the midst of all this misery, Lotus still managed to release a revised version of the Exige…which is not street legal in the U.S. (When it rains it pours, huh?) However, you could certainly use a new Exige on an American racetrack. And for 2014, Lotus is releasing two Exiges that are even more track-ready: The Exige V6 Cup and Exige V6 Cup R.
Both of these mid-engine thoroughbreds are based on the previous generation Exige and Elise which, of course, were available here. Front and rear styling are revised compared to those cars, though, and the front and rear fenders have been widened to allow the fitment of bigger wheels and tires (17” in front, 18” in back). There’s also a substantial front splitter, rear diffuser, rear wing and, on the Cup R, front dive planes. And of course, there are two interior color and numerous exterior colors from which to choose.
What you can’t choose, however, is the interior equipment. Both the Cup and Cup R feature FIA-approved full roll cages, FIA-approved fire suppression systems, six-point safety harnesses, quick-release steering wheels, and battery kill switches. The upholstered carbon fiber seats are also designed to accommodate people wearing helmets and HANS Devices. Make no mistake: These are both serious track cars.
And in case the interior and exterior equipment doesn’t convince you of these cars’ intentions, their powertrains certainly should. The Exige V6 Cup utilizes the same supercharged 3.5L Toyota V6 as the Lotus Evora S, making the same 345hp and 295 lb.-ft of torque. The Exige V6 Cup R has the same basic engine, though enhancements to breathing and other areas yield 361hp and 308 lb.-ft. Both versions come standard with close-ratio 6-speed manual transmissions, and a paddle-shift transmission will be an option on the Cup R. Projected 0-62 mph times for both vehicles is 3.8 seconds, while top speed for both is estimated to be 170 mph.
Lotus has not announced pricing information for either the Exige V6 Cup or Exige V6 Cup R, but we’d guess on figures knocking on the door of $100,000. Not exactly cheap, especially when you remember you can only use them on the track (at least in this country), but can you think of a Lotus that wasn’t a hoot to drive? Neither can we.
Source: Lotus