Automotive

Lighter, faster track-only version of Lotus Exige Sport 380 announced

Lighter, faster track-only version of Lotus Exige Sport 380 announced
Lotus reports the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) speed of the Exige Race 380 to be just 3.2 seconds, about three tenths faster than the Sport 380 model
Lotus reports the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) speed of the Exige Race 380 to be just 3.2 seconds, about three tenths faster than the Sport 380 model
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The Lotus Exige Race 380 uses the same 3.5-liter supercharged V6 found in the Exige line, but updates to a six-speed sequential transmission
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The Lotus Exige Race 380 uses the same 3.5-liter supercharged V6 found in the Exige line, but updates to a six-speed sequential transmission
The Lotus Exige Race 380 weighs in at just under 1,000 kg, thanks to its extreme lightweighting and race-delete setup
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The Lotus Exige Race 380 weighs in at just under 1,000 kg, thanks to its extreme lightweighting and race-delete setup
The Exige Race 380 looped the Hethel track in just 1 minute, 23.5 seconds
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The Exige Race 380 looped the Hethel track in just 1 minute, 23.5 seconds
Lotus reports the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) speed of the Exige Race 380 to be just 3.2 seconds, about three tenths faster than the Sport 380 model
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Lotus reports the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) speed of the Exige Race 380 to be just 3.2 seconds, about three tenths faster than the Sport 380 model
View gallery - 4 images

Lotus will begin producing a track-only version of the Exige Sport 380 it unveiled in November. Unsurprisingly named the Lotus Exige Race 380, the stripped back track car will land ready to race in March.

Lotus says the nearest comparison for the Exige Race 380 is the Exige Cup R, which bounded around the company's Hethel test track at a pretty fair clip. Yet the Race 380 did it 1.5 seconds faster thanks to its weight savings and track-focused nature.

The Lotus Exige Race 380 uses the same 3.5-liter supercharged V6 found in the Exige Sport 380, outputting 375 horsepower (280 kW) and 302 foot pounds (410 Nm) of torque. These come at 6,700 rpm and 5,000 rpm, respectively. The drivetrain changes at the gearbox, though, which becomes an X-trac six-speed sequential transmission for faster shifts and more control. An oil cooler, cassette-type plate limited slip differential, and carbon fiber paddles behind the wheel accompany this transmission.

The Lotus Exige Race 380 weighs in at just under 1,000 kg, thanks to its extreme lightweighting and race-delete setup
The Lotus Exige Race 380 weighs in at just under 1,000 kg, thanks to its extreme lightweighting and race-delete setup

The Exige Race 380 uses a 2-way adjustable Ohlins damper system on its suspension, along with front and rear anti-roll bars. The driver-adjustable traction control system allows for fine-tuning in varied race conditions. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, at 215/45 ZR17 and 265/35 ZR18 (front, rear) clad the Race 380's ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels, complemented by AP Racing forged four-piston calipers with grooved two-piece brake discs.

Lotus reports the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) speed of the Exige Race 380 to be just 3.2 seconds, about three tenths faster than the Sport 380 model. This is largely due to the better gearbox and the Race model's much lighter weight, which comes in at just under 1,000 kg (2,205 pounds) – about 110 kg (242 pounds) lighter than the Sport.

The Exige Race 380 looped the Hethel track in just 1 minute, 23.5 seconds
The Exige Race 380 looped the Hethel track in just 1 minute, 23.5 seconds

Other race-ready components that come standard on the Exige Race 380 include an integrated roll cage, lightweight FIA carbon fiber driver seat, six-point harness, and ultra-lightweight polycarbonate side windows. Competition-spec fire extinguisher, battery isolator, and towing eyes are also included. An ultra-lightweight carbon fiber motorsport specific louvered tailgate panel is fitted over the engine and carbon fiber air intake pods are fitted forward of the rear wheels. Matt black covers replace the headlamps and airbags have been deleted throughout the cabin.

The Exige Race 380 has a thin-film-transistor (TFT) display for the instrument cluster, allowing full customization of screen configurations. A track data logger and GPS unit are standard, but the cluster can be upgraded to include software with professional data analysis included.

The Exige Race 380 can be ordered now and is priced at £99,500 excluding VAT (US$121,220).

Source: Lotus

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4 comments
4 comments
Bob
I like the light weight. It has always puzzled me how most performance cars claim to use aluminum construction and carbon fiber but still weigh more than my steel and cast iron 1955 Chevy did at 3155 lbs? But today even my plastic and aluminum engined Camry weighs more than my old Chevy did. Maybe they need to go back to steel and modern high strength cast iron.
Michael Wilson
Have a crash in your 55 Chevy vs one of today's cars and you will see where all the weight goes. Even track oriented newer cars such as the lotus pictured are infinity safer than their forebears. Even stripper cats like this or the Porsche gt3 or mustang gt350 track edition or m3 CSl all must still pass crash tests to be road legal. This is not necessarily a bad thing either. As a guy who likes to track his cars on occasion, I never pass on additional safety
Charles S Roscoe
Drop dead gorgeous!
Detail please on the blacked out headlamps!!
Martin Hone
Like Bob, I cannot figure out how a top-end spec lightweight machine like this weighs 200 kg more than my 1928 Ford A model roadster pickup. But yes, it doesn't have the safety technology either. But is that where the weight actually goes ?