The Lotus Elise Cup 250 has been revealed, pegged by Lotus as its purest four-cylinder car yet.
With 240bhp and weighing at just 860kg in its lightest form, the Cup 250 has a power-to-weight ratio of 279bhp per metric ton, meaning 0-60mph is possible in just 3.9sec, while top speed is 154mph.
The Cup 250 has a supercharged 1.8-litre all-alloy petrol engine, and its exhaust has been fettled to create a better exhaust note. An extensive use of lightweight materials such as carbonfibre, titanium and aluminium has helped to get the car's weight down. Additional weight reduction upgrades are available, including a £4000 titanium exhaust system that saves 7kg. Ultra-light alloy wheels, 16in at the front and 17in at the rear, come as standard.
Aerodynamic upgrades to the front splitter, rear wing, bargeboards and diffuser add up to 125kg of downforce when travelling at 140mph, Lotus claims.
Close attention has been paid to the Cup 250’s suspension; there are fully independent double wishbones and an anti-roll bar at the front, with higher damper rates than the Elise Sport and Sprint.
The Cup 250's electronic stability program (ESP) has three selectable driving modes: Drive, Sport, and Off.
Lotus has positioned the Cup 250 as a halfway point between its road and track Elises; the Exige Cup 380 was pegged as the most hardcore road-legal Exige, but it was far more exclusive with a production run of just 60.
The Cup 250 costs from £47,400. All of the weight-saving options add up to £18,400, bringing the cost of the lightest version of the Cup 250 to £65,800.
Other options include £825 metallic paint, a £2800 fire extinguisher and battery isolator and £1000 airbag deletion and non-airbag steering wheel.
Read more:
Lotus Exige Sport 380 revealed
Lotus Exige Cup 380 revealed as the most hardcore road-legal Exige yet
