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Lotus Reveals The Fastest Exige Ever Made, It Does 0-60 In 3.5 Seconds

Lotus seems to design its cars like painters complete their art - they always find room for improvement.
Lotus Exige Sport 380 19 photos
Photo: Lotus
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Fortunately, the ones that benefit from Lotus’ constant improvement through the development of new versions are the customers of the brand. While not everything is available as a retrofit option, loyal clients will be able to buy something even faster and more focused than its predecessor, without expecting the launch of a new generation.

Without further ado, this is called the Lotus Exige Sport 380, and its makers led us to believe that it has what it takes to make a supercar owner blush. Lotus did not use the same words, but they did explain that this model was designed to outmaneuver and outperform “so-called supercars.”

That is bold for something with 380 HP. They say it is the fastest Exige ever, which is true, but the figures are even more impressive. It can dash from 0 to 60 MPH (96 km/h) in just 3.5 seconds. For 62 mph (100 km/h), add 0.2 seconds to the time. The same values apply to both manual and automatic gearbox models.

Top speed is 178 mph (286 km/h), but the most impressive thing about this vehicle is its power to weight ratio of 342 HP (PS) per ton. This happens because the pure-bred Lotus has a dry weight of only 1,076 kilograms, which goes up to 1,110 kg in curb weight specification. While driving at its top speed, the body offers downforce amounting to 140 kg, but most people do not usually drive at 178 mph.

The Toyota-derived 3.5-liter V6 engine that already featured a supercharger was also refined for more power and torque. The latter is now rated at 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) at 4.500 rpm. Lotus has enlarged the fuel tank to 48 liters for a bigger range, and the power plant has received new ancillary components and other modifications to become more efficient and powerful.

The improvements brought to the Exige 380 include an aerodynamic package, which comes with canard wings, carbon fiber air deflectors, and many other elements that were designed in the wind tunnel.

Lotus' Exige Sport 380 was made even lighter than the regular Exige using new carbon race seats, a Lithium-Ion Battery, grooved two-piece brake discs, and even less weight on the back thanks to a set of different rear lights.
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About the author: Sebastian Toma
Sebastian Toma profile photo

Sebastian's love for cars began at a young age. Little did he know that a career would emerge from this passion (and that it would not, sadly, involve being a professional racecar driver). In over fourteen years, he got behind the wheel of several hundred vehicles and in the offices of the most important car publications in his homeland.
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