Lotus Exige Cup

Lotus has revealed its 2009 Exige racer, the Cup 260. It’s a road-homologated two-seater which majors on weight saving, with a useful 38kg lopped off the mass from the current car – taking weight down to 890kg via carbon fibre and lightweight components.

The supercharged 1.8-litre engine remains from the 2008 car, with 257bhp on tap at 8000rpm and 174lb ft at 6000rpm while a power to weight ratio of 288bhp/tonne is achieved. Launch control and traction control systems from the 2-Eleven help to reign the power in.

Top speed is circa 152mph while 0-60mph takes just 4sec, with 100mph reachable in just under ten. Eibach springs are joined by adjustable dampers and front anti-roll bar and dampers, allowing drivers to tweak the car’s handling traits to suit their own driving. The suspension is also equipped to handle hard track day driving and the odd bit of abuse. Brakes-wise, there’s a servo-assisted four-channel ABS system.

If you want one, it’ll set you back £45,995 – with an extra £950 if you want it on the road (delivery, registration, tax and a tank of fuel). It is legal to drive anywhere in the EU. It is also eligible for the 2009 Lotus Cup Europe – a six round, 12 race tournament whose provisional calendar takes in Brands Hatch, Le Mans and Spa.