Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25 Pays Tribute To Brand’s Classic F1 Racecar

Lotus has unveiled the Exige Cup 430 Type 25, which the brand describes as is a collector’s piece like no other and a fitting tribute to the Type 25 Formula 1 car.

Based on the Exige Cup 430 unveiled last year, the Exige Cup 430 Type 25 is powered by a 3.5-litre supercharged and charge cooled V6 engine producing 430 hp and 440 Nm, paired to an open gate six-speed manual gearbox.

The output figures make the Exige Cup 430 Type 25 the fastest in its class, sprinting from 0-100kmh in just 3.2 seconds.

On the exterior, every Exige Cup 430 Type 25 comes with a unique livery finished in metallic Lotus Racing Green, or Old English White, with subtle but sharp contrasting pinstripes on the front splitter, front access panel, new and unique bargeboards, roof panel and rear wing, as well as unique decals on each rear buttress.

Complementing the paintjob is the motorsport inspired aerodynamics kit which comprises a carbon front splitter with trailing lip, air curtain elements, large cut-out sections behind the rear wheels, a high-set rear wing, and a rear diffuser, all working in harmony to generate up to 220 kg of downforce.

Other key features include variable traction control with five pre-set traction levels, Nitron three-way adjustable dampers, Eibach adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, ultra-lightweight forged aluminium wheels, four-piston AP Racing brake calipers, two-piece J-hook brake discs, lightweight titanium exhaust system, carbon race seats trimmed in black Alcantara, and a wooden gear selector knob.

As standard the new Exige Cup 430 Type 25 includes air conditioning, an in-car entertainment system, including iPod® connectivity and Bluetooth® functionality, cruise control, a full carpet set and floor mats. Buyers can tailor their cars with a colour change of the door mirror caps and with the deletion of some standard fit items, including the air conditioning, stereo system and carpet set.

According to Lotus, only 25 units of the Exige Cup 430 Type 25 will be produced, each accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity, signed by Jean-Marc Gales, and a matching plaque detailing its number in the limited production run.

Owners have the option of collecting their Exige Cup 430 Type 25 from the famous Hethel factory as well as guided tours of Lotus’ modern vehicle production facility and of the Classic Team Lotus facility.

A signed hardback copy of the acclaimed book “Jim Clark: Tribute to a Champion” by Eric Dymock signed by Clive Chapman, and Bob Dance, a principal mechanic for Jim Clark during his Formula 1 race career, accompanies every car.

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus said, “We are proud to have named this unique Lotus Exige Cup 430 in honour of the Lotus Type 25, a car which left an indelible mark on the development of motorsport.”

Driven by some of the greatest names in racing, including Jim Clark, Mike Hailwood, Chris Amon, and Richard Attwood, the Lotus Type 25 competed against the best on the grid from 1962 to 1967, and changed the evolution of racing cars forever.

Winning three Formula 1 races in its first year at the hands of the talented Jim Clark, the Type 25 just missed out on the Constructors’ Championship in the final race. For the 1963 season the Lotus Type 25 reigned supreme, winning seven of the ten championship races, with seven pole positions and six fastest laps, and recording the first Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships for the Lotus team.