2014 LOTUS EXIGE V6 CUP

Understood to be one of only two examples finished in Burnt Orange, this Lotus Exige V6 Cup (build number 40 from the Lotus Racing Division) is a razor-sharp performance car in superb condition. This mid-engined lightweight sports car is powered by a supercharged 345bhp 3.5-litre V6 engine coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox. The odometer shows 12,861 miles from new.

At launch, Top Gear magazine called the V6 Cup “a stripped-out and razor-edged version of the already extreme Exige, one of the few cars that’s genuinely as happy on the track as it is on the road.” This low-mileage example has been diligently cared-for by two enthusiast owners and has been tastefully upgraded with numerous carbon-fibre components.

The Exige V6 Cup features a baffled wet sump, two-piece floating brake discs, A-frame rollover assembly with harness bar, FIA standard integral fire extinguisher system, isolator switches, fixed towing eyes, FIA approved fixed back racing seats with harnesses and two-way adjustable Nitron dampers, shaving more than 60kg off the standard car’s weight to tip the scales at just 1110kg. It is a pure and focused driver’s car, eligible for entry into various Lotus Cup championships globally, and is presented in excellent condition.

Supplied by Bell & Colvill and first registered on 1 March 2014, this V6 Cup has been owned by the seller since December 2016, who has enjoyed some 6,200 miles behind the wheel. The car has had only one previous keeper, and has always been well maintained, with every single document from new related to car retained in the history file – including the V6 Cup handout from the factory, the original sales invoice and even receipts for fuel.

Aside from the gorgeous Burnt Orange metallic paint, this example was also optioned from new with the lightweight race battery, the Lotus Motorsport exhaust with titanium tips, and a six-point driver’s side harness. Beyond this, there are also a large number of carbon-fibre components by Reverie fitted – at a cost of more than £8,000 – as well as further upgrades to protect the car and improve the driving experience. A full list of the upgrades is found later in this listing.

The Burnt Orange paint is in excellent condition, with a deep shine all round. The seller notes that due to the Cup models not being fitted with mud guards, there is some slight stone chipping to the inside of the wheel arches, but otherwise the bodywork is superb. The Reverie exterior carbon-fibre components, such as front splitter, rear diffuser and canards, are in great shape, and the car is also fitted with front end paint protection film from new. Its original 17-inch front and 18-inch rear diamond cut wheels are also in pristine condition.

Moving inside, the original carbon-fibre backed bucket seats are complemented with several carbon-fibre upgrades, and are trimmed in grippy SuedeTex material. The focused interior is in superb condition, complete with motorsport touches from the partial roll cage and cut-off switches to the removable Sparco steering wheel. The Exige V6 Cup is of a targa design, and the removable hard top is in excellent order

The car has a full service history from Lotus-authorised service centres, far in excess of just the annual maintenance schedule required, a summary of which can be seen below. The most recent service consisted of an engine oil and filter change, and new SRF brake fluid, by Hexagon Lotus in November 2019 at 12,021 miles. The two prior services were carried out by Lotus Silverstone in March 2019 and Hexagon Lotus in June 2018. 

The car’s last MOT test was on 18 March 2019 at 11,169 miles, which resulted in a clean pass with no advisories. It has not yet been retested due to the Covid-19 crisis – just missing out on eligibility for an extension. The Avon ZZR tyres are approximately one year old, and are in nearly-new condition with around 4mm of tread remaining.

Presented in a rare colour, with low mileage and comprehensive service history, this is a superb example of the Lotus Exige V6 Cup. Its carbon-fibre upgrades mean it is truly a bespoke sports car, while the detailed maintenance record shows that it is in great mechanical condition, ready for many more miles.

Summary of service history:

• 13 May 2014 - 975 miles - Engine Oil/Filter Change - Bell & Colvill
• 22 Sep 2014 - 2,272 miles - Engine Oil/Filter, SRF Brake Fluid Change - Stratton Lotus 
• 30 Mar 2015 - 2,450 miles - Annual Service - Stratton Lotus 
• 02 Oct 2015 - 4,094 miles - Engine Oil/Filter, SRF Brake Fluid, Coolant Change - Stratton Lotus 
• 04 Mar 2016 - 4,650 miles - Annual Service, SRF Brake Fluid Change, Geometry Setup - Hangar 111
• 13 Dec 2016 - 6,651 miles – Owner Change - Lotus Silverstone
• 02 Mar 2017 - 6,667 miles - Annual Service, ECU Update - Lotus Silverstone
• 05 May 2017 - 7,957 miles - Engine Oil/Filter, Gearbox Oil Change - Lotus Silverstone
• 04 Aug 2017 - 8,574 miles - SRF Brake Fluid Change - Castle Sportscars Lotus 
• 18 Oct 2017 - 9,890 miles - Engine Oil/Filter Change - Lotus Silverstone
• 22 Mar 2018 - 10,016 miles - Annual Service, SRF Brake Fluid, Coolant, Spark Plug, Brake Pad Replacement, Geometry Setup - Hangar 111
• 21 Jun 2018 -10,709 miles - Engine Oil/Filter Change - Hexagon Lotus
• 19 Mar 2019 - 11,167 miles - Annual Service, SRF Brake Fluid & Gearbox Oil Change, Brake Disc Replacement, Geometry Setup - Lotus Silverstone
• 04 Nov 2019 - 12,021 miles - Engine Oil/Filter, SRF Brake Fluid Change - Hexagon Lotus

Upgrades:

Reverie – Carbon-fibre parts (in excess of £8,000, all invoices on file)

• Front Splitter
• Rear Diffuser
• Side Pods
• Side Skirts
• Transmission Tunnel
• Odometer Binnacle
• Door Cards
• Door Sills
• Gear Knob
• Front Canards
• Door Mirror Covers
• Engine Bay Fairings

Other options (in excess of £3,000, invoices on file)

• Pro Alloy 60-litre Fuel Tank
• Hangar 111 Gearbox Cooler
• Hangar 111 Geometry Setup
• Lotus Heritage Bonnet Badge (black)
• Front-End PPF

All cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.

A marker on the HPI report indicates the DVLA initially recorded the car as red, but this Exige V6 Cup has always been painted in Burnt Orange - as confirmed in the original sales invoice from Bell & Colvill.

Please note: the cherished plate shown on the car is not included in the sale. It will be switched back to an age-related registration plate in the event of a successful auction.