Lotus’ limited-edition model offensive continues with its latest announcement of the Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25. Built in celebration of the marque’s most successful Formula 1 car – the Lotus Type 25 – 25 of these Exige special editions will roll off the Hethel production line priced at £110k each.
By and large the Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25 is a design exercise, which borrows aesthetic features from the famous F1 car to create a unique appearance. To rubber-stamp the limited-run model’s exclusivity, it comes complete with specially commissioned heritage documentation.
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Mechanically, as the name suggests, it’s based on the Lotus Exige Cup 430 so the performance remains unchanged.
Two colour schemes are offered: Old English White or the iconic Metallic Racing Green. Both base colours are contrasted by carbonfibre panels as well as touches of green or yellow that can be found on the front splitter, unique bargeboards, roof panel and rear-wing. Further bespoke, exterior design details drawn from the historic F1 racer include the ‘Type 25’ decals on both sides of the cockpit canopy.
Step inside and you’ll find more neat touches inspired by the classic Type 25, chief amongst them is the wood-trimmed gear knob sitting atop the exposed gear-linkage. Elsewhere, the unique interior pack features a striped headrest for the carbonfibre bucket seats and contrasting double-stitching which is woven through the cabin.
Over five years of racing, the Type 25 racked up 14 victories with Jim Clark at the wheel, helping Lotus land the 1963 Constructors Championship. What marked the Type 25 out from its contemporaries was its revolutionary monocoque chassis, a Formula first in 1962.
