Just as car enthusiasts around the country are begrudgingly putting their track day toys back in the box, Lotus announces the arrival of the Exige Cup and the Exige Cup 240. Based on the 2006 Exige, but with uprated performance, Lotus offers a straight out-of-the-box track day weapon. If you weren’t one of the lucky 50 that managed to secure an Exige 240R in this year’s limited production run you may just get a second chance.

Both cars are identical in specification except for the powertrain; the Cup uses a 1.8-litre four-pot VVTL-i engine, producing 189bhp. The Cup 240 has, as the name suggests, in excess of 240bhp, 247 to be exact. This extra power is down to the addition of a Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger and air-to-air intercoolers. Significantly more torque allows the change from the low-speed cam to the high-speed cam to be much lower in the rev range for the Cup (4000rpm compared to around 6000rpm), giving a much broader usable power band. Performance figures for the Cup 240 include 0-62mph in around 4.5 seconds and 0-100mph in 11.3 seconds. The regular Cup is no slouch either with 62mph achieved in 5.2 seconds and 100mph in 13.2 seconds.

As the cars are aimed at the track day enthusiast with the odd venture into motor sport, Lotus has added some vital components to the specification. First up is an uprated sports clutch that should ensure the extra power is delivered to the six-speed box effectively. Weight is reduced with an aluminium gearbox casing too. Cornering should also be improved by the torque sensing type limited slip differential, utilising all the available grip. The new switchable traction control works in harmony with the engine to reduce power when it senses grip has been lost. Not that the Exige often loses grip...

The suspension is provided by expensive Ohlins springs and two-way dampers, which allow 22 compression and 60 rebound settings. There are adjustable height and anti-roll bar settings and even a set of instructions from the revered Lotus ride and handling team. Should give you enough to keep you busy between laps! Lotus provides everything required to compete in a motorsport event with these cars. There is a four-point seat belt harness and a fully plumbed in fire extinguisher system. An FIA approved 6-point roll cage is a no cost option.

You only have to read our road test of the 240R to understand what the team here at The Car Enthusiast think about these cars. Keep an eye on the main Lotus Road Tests page for reviews of the new Exige later in 2006.

Paul Wilkinson - 1 Dec 2005