Lotus has gone to nostalgic mode creating the Exige Cup 430 Type 25 collector’s edition. As the name suggests, only 25 examples are going to be hand built in Norfolk.
Based on the Exige Cup 430, the Type 25 references the F1 car of the same name that dominated the 1963 season. The Type 25 gets a unique livery that is finished in metallic Lotus Racing Green, or Old English White, with subtle but sharp contrasting pinstripes all around, front access panel, new and unique bargeboards, roof panel, rear wing, as well as unique decals on each rear buttress.
The racing lines continue on the inside as well with in-house manufactured carbon race seats trimmed in black Alcantara, with a custom stripe for the head and backrest as well as new contrast double stitching which is also matched in the door panels and vents. Bodywork keyed colour inserts for the seats, transmission console, HVAC surround and window switches are complemented by the cabin’s anodised aluminium and carbon fibre elements, including dashboard inserts and instrument binnacle cover. In a nod to the original Type 25 F1 car, the Exige Cup 430 Type 25 comes with a wooden gear selector knob.
Power
Powering the Type 25 is the same 3.5-litre V6 with Edelbrock supercharger and charger cooler, producing 430 hp at 7,000 rpm and 440 Nm of torque between 2,600-6,800 rpm, paired with a 6-speed open-gate manual transmission. A 0-100 km/h acceleration happens in 3.3 seconds and the top speed is 290 km/h. According to Lotus, the carefully optimized aerodynamics generate up to 220 kg of downforce.
The Exige Cup 430 Type 25 also includes a variable traction control function, linked directly to the ECU. The six-position rotary switch is located on the steering column, and only active with ESP switched off, with five pre-set traction levels as well as “off”, displayed via the instrument cluster.
There is also Nitron three-way adjustable dampers (tuning rebound, as well as low-speed and high-speed compression) and Eibach adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars, as standard. A lightweight titanium exhaust system is also fitted as standard, which is 10 kg lighter than the stainless-steel alternative.
The car rides on a lightweight, machined, forged aluminium wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres (215/45 ZR17 front and 285/30 ZR18 rear).
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO, Group Lotus plc said: “Although the Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25 is street legal, it blurs the line between road and race car to provide owners with an unbeatable blend of power, road holding, intuitive handling at any speed. On everyday open roads it rewards its driver with a pure analogue experience, like only a Lotus can, yet venture onto the track and you’ll find a depth in performance that only the very best driver can truly exploit. Like the Lotus Type 25 in 1963, this car is without any rival.”
Each Exige Cup 430 Type 25 is accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity, signed by Jean-Marc Gales, and proudly wearing a matching plaque detailing its number in the limited production run. Owners have the option of collecting their Type 25 from the famous Hethel factory as well as guided tours of Lotus’ 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.
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