Lotus has unveiled yet another model not heading to the U.S.
The latest introduction is the Lotus Exige Sport 380, what the British automaker is calling a “supercar killer.” It’s also being touted as the most aggressive iteration yet for the Exige model, as well as being the fastest Exige ever with a zero-to-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. Continuing its obsession with putting its cars on a diet, Lotus has the Exige Sport 380 tipping the scales at 2,350 pounds (1,066 kilograms) dry, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 352 horsepower per ton, with its 3.5-liter supercharged V6 providing 375 hp and 302 pound-feet of torque.
The sports car is available with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, but it’s not heading to North America, like many of the recent Lotus models that the company claims to be lighter and faster.
SEE ALSO: Lotus Continues 50-Year Celebration with Exige 350 Special Edition
There are plenty of aerodynamic upgrades as well, like a revised front access panel that modifies the air flow exiting the car’s horizontally mounted radiators. Helping reduce pressure under the vehicle is a carbon front spoiler and rubber lip spoiler combined with the carbon barge boards. Downforce sees a 60-percent increase over the Exige Sport 350 thanks to twin pairs of front canard wings, a carbon rear wing and air blades behind the rear wheels.
“We’ve saved something special for our last new car of 2016. We have built upon the foundations of the excellent Exige Sport 350 and developed a perfectly proportioned, intuitive and attainable supercar for real roads,” said Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales. “The cut in weight is nothing short of drastic and, combined with the hike in power and its enhanced agility, we’ve created something exceptional – far greater than the sum of its parts. The Exige Sport 380 is so good, that it is no longer the best in class, it’s now in a class of its own.”
Leave a Reply