Lotus revealed the MY2008 Sport Exige Cup 260, a direct development of the 2007 Exige Cup Car. The Exige Cup 260, once again represents Lotus’ most radical version of the Exige, with the track environment being its home and for 2008, the Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260 has full European homologation for road use.

The Sport Exige Cup 260 is powered by a supercharged and intercooled engine that delivers 257 hp at 8000 rpm and a peak torque of 236 Nm (174 lbft) at 6000 rpm. It makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 4.1 seconds and the 0 to 100 mph in 9.9 seconds. It can hit a top speed of 147 mph.

The Exige Cup 260 is available now for sale in mainland Europe at -56,034 euro.

Press release after the jump.

2008 Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2008 Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Press release

Lotus Sport, the motor sport division of Lotus Cars Ltd, has unveiled the MY2008 Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260. A direct development of the 2007 Exige Cup Car, this year’s car has a revised engine management system to take the maximum power output to 257 hp (260 PS), up by nearly 5 hp (5 PS) over last year. Bespoke performance enhancements created to offer a car with even greater levels of handling and acceleration capable of taming Europe’s most challenging race circuits.

The Exige Cup 260, once again represents Lotus’ most radical version of the Exige, with the track environment being its home and for 2008, the Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260 has full European homologation for road use (a must have for some competitive environments where a road legal car has to be entered).

There are further product changes: all Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260 cars now have a number of the 2008 Model year improvements from the road versions of the Elise and Exige, namely:

  • Instrument pack with new graphic design and expanded functionality
  • New alarm/immobiliser + single integrated function key
  • Variable Lotus Traction Control
  • Variable Lotus Launch Control


In traditional Lotus style, weight saving is paramount. Weighing in at just 928 kg, the power to weight ratio is an impressive 271 hp / tonne (273 PS / tonne). Such a fantastic power to weight ratio alone of course does not make a superlative track car, so the Exige Cup 260 has a formidable list of standard equipment that includes Lotus specific LTS compound Yokohama A048R tyres, 4-piston AP Racing front brake calipers, adjustable dampers and anti-roll bar, the latest FIA 6-point roll cage and sports driver and passenger seats.

The options are even more race-focused with slick tyres*, an FIA approved Recaro/Lotus Sport driver’s seat*, an FIA approved 70 litre fuel cell*, ‘Level Two’ stainless steel sports exhaust with de-cat pipe*, dog gearbox* and a plate type Lotus Sport limited slip differential (*track use only and special conditions apply).

The Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260 is one of the quickest cars around a circuit. Key to this incredible performance is the aerodynamic package, which produces over 40 kg of downforce at 160 kmh increasing grip and stability at higher speeds. With a top speed of 237 kmh (147 mph) and a zero to 160 kmh (100 mph) in circa 9.9 seconds, 0 to 100 kmh in circa 4.1 seconds (0 to 60 mph in circa 4 seconds), the MY2008 Exige Cup 260 is the perfect partner for the serious racer.

The Exige Cup 260 is available now for sale in mainland Europe at -56,034, exclusive of local taxes and on the road charges.

Mike J Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer Group Lotus plc said: "In keeping with our racing and high performance sports car heritage, we are very pleased to launch this exceptionally exciting, phenomenal-handling Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260. This is yet another example of how Lotus Cars and high-tech engineering with Lotus Sport, can transform an already brilliant road car into an exceptionally high performance product for the track.”

Engine


The supercharged and intercooled engine in the Exige Cup 260 has a maximum power output of 260 PS (257 hp) at 8000 rpm and a torque figure of 236 Nm (174 lbft) at 6000 rpm. This significant amount of extra power and torque now available together with the VVTL-i variable cam system ensures that there is a smooth and linear surge of power from low engine speeds all the way to the maximum 8000 rpm (8500 rpm transient for 2 seconds).

The Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger (with a sealed-for-life internal mechanism meaning that it does not require the use of the engine’s oil) is run from the crankshaft and has an integral bypass valve for part load operation. Charge air (air under pressure from the supercharger) is cooled through an air-to-air intercooler (the air enters via the enhanced roof scoop) before being fed into the engine itself. All charge air ducting has been kept as short as possible with large diameter pipes to minimise restriction and maximise throttle response and efficiency. Four high capacity injectors and an uprated fuel pump add additional fuel under hard acceleration or continuous high speed driving.

A sports-type clutch plate and heavy duty clutch cover transfer the engine power and torque to the lightweight C64 six-speed gearbox (with an aluminium casing) – with the same perfectly spaced ratios as the Exige S. A Torsen type limited slip differential is fitted as standard, with a plate type limited slip differential available as an option. Keen to pass on lessons learned on the track with the Exige GT3 racing programme, Lotus Sport has contributed another important technology – launch control combined with variable traction control. This combo has already made its production debut with the track-oriented Lotus 2-Eleven.

From the driver’s seat the launch control allows you to determine the number of revs you wish to use during a standing start. Having programmed that limit, you then hold your foot down hard on the throttle and sidestep the clutch at departure from the line time. The clutch damper cushions the severity of the clutch / transmission engagement to minimise the stresses to the drivetrain (noting that abusive/ continuous standing start applications will destroy the drivetrain components). The launch control also keeps wheelspin at bay until 6 mph, after which the traction control assumes its duties.

As with launch control, you can control the amount of traction control you require from the driver’s seats, altering it on the move to suit the characteristics of particular corners. The amount of traction control can be varied in over 30 increments from an optimum 7 percent tyre slip to completely off. The message display in the new instrument pack displays what degree of traction control you have currently dialled in.

An Accusump (engine oil accumulator unit) is included in the whole package as an oil reservoir back-up for extreme track use ensuring that, under those conditions, the engine oil pressure remains constant.