Performance Review: Lotus Exige Cup 430 3.5 V6 - [2020]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus Exige Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus Exige Cup 430 3.5 V6 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2020. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2021 McMurtry Speirling Goodwood and the 2021 Rimac Nevera 1888bhp Electric AWD.This particular Lotus Exige has a 3456cc Supercharged Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The Exige shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Exige's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1110 kgs (2447 lbs) this makes the Lotus Exige Cup 430 3.5 V6 in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Lotus Exige shares the same bhp with the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (454 bhp)

In terms of power the 3456cc 24V V6 engine produces 430 bhp (320 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (454 bhp) or the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (454 bhp).

The Supercharged V6 throws out 321 lb-ft (435.2 Nm) @ 2600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Lotus Exige you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2015 Lamborghini Huracan LP 580-2 (411.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus Exige.

The Lotus Exige has a Power to weight ratio of 387.3 bhp per ton and 289.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2020 Exige competing with the 2015 Lamborghini Huracan LP 580-2 (411.8 bhp per ton) or the 2010 Ferrari 599 GTO (411.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Lotus Exige generating around 289.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2008 Morgan Aeromax 4.8 V8 (313.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster (313.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.3 secs, this made the Lotus Exige Cup 430 3.5 V6 as fast as the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (3.20 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Dakar 3.0 Turbo 992 II (3.20 secs) the 2021 BMW 5 Series M5 4.4 V8 Turbo F90 (3.20 secs) the or the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 PDK 992 (3.20 secs). This Lotus Exige Cup 430 3.5 V6 is also faster than the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (3.30 secs) the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (3.30 secs) the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (3.30 secs) the and the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (3.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Exige and the 2017 BMW 4 Series M4 Competition Package F83

When talking about the performance of the Lotus Exige on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.27 secs @ 121.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 BMW 4 Series M4 Competition Package F83 (11.22 secs), the 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV RS (11.23 secs), and the 2019 Audi Q3 RS Sportback 2.5 Turbo (11.23 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2020 version of the Lotus Exige Cup 430 3.5 V6 has a maximum speed of 174mph.

Top Speed of the 2020 Exige equals the 2015 Aston-Martin Vantage GT3 5.9 V12 (185 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2020 Lotus Exige Cup 430 3.5 V6 then how about the 2015 Aston-Martin Vantage GT3 5.9 V12 (185 mph), the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo (185 mph), or the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 S PDK 991 (185 mph).

Related Links:

2020 Exige Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison