This Lightly Tweaked Lotus Exige Celebrates A 1960s Racing Car

We’re into April now, which means it must be time for another new Lotus that isn’t actually new at all. That doesn’t mean it’s not worth a look, though, so let us take you through the Exige Cup 430 Type 25.

Described somewhat confusingly as a collector’s piece, because Lotus cars should always primarily be for driving, the Type 25 will be limited to 25 cars. The name is also a nod to the single-seat Type 25 racer that aced the 1963 Formula 1 season.

Each of the 25 1097kg cars will come with “specially commissioned heritage documentation,” which seems like a bizarre selling point. Of much more interest is the 430bhp supercharged, charge-cooled V6 amidships, shared with the Exige Cup 430 upon which this car is based.

The lightweight track animal will sprint to 62mph in 3.3 seconds and generate a modest 220kg of downforce at high speed. You’ll know one when you see one (even if it is in someone’s climate-controlled garage) from the Type 25 graphics on the bodywork around the engine bay.

Manual cog-shuffling is standard, and when you’re stuck in traffic you can sit back and admire the borderline pornographic exposed gear linkage and wooden gear knob. Ultra-lightweight wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber and strapped to Nitron three-way adjustable dampers that allow for rebound adjustment, plus low- and high-speed compression. You also have Eibach adjustable anti-roll bars, natch.

Braking is taken care of by a forged AP Racing setup and two-piece J-hook style discs derived from motorsport. Like it slippy? If you turn the ESP off the Type 25 activates its six-position variable traction control system, with options from ‘no wheelspin pls’ to ‘Ah, hell, I need new tyres anyway’.

The lightweight titanium exhaust saves 10kg versus a steel alternative, and probably sounds pretty sweet, too. Lotus makes its own carbonfibre race seats for extra weight reduction (bro), and their upholstery has coloured accents that match your choice of exterior paint hue – either Lotus Racing Green or Old English White.

Surprisingly, you do get air conditioning and a stereo complete with Bluetooth. There’s even cruise control and a carpet set, although all of that can be removed for the more masochistic purists out there.