Lot 211: One owner, 3,000 miles from new
2007 Lotus Exige Cup 255 Coupé
Registration no. OU07 BXK
Chassis no. SCCVA11157HN82482
Engine no. 2ZZ0182110

The latest in a succession of ever more exciting Exige variants, the Lotus Sport-built Cup 255 raised the game of this already formidable track-day weapon to an even higher level on its introduction in 2007. Lotus Sport is Lotus Cars’ performance and competition division, developing products that offer maximum performance while retaining the company’s hallmarks of minimalist design and light weight wherever possible. Built for the Lotus Cup Europe Regulatory Race Series, the first ‘Cup’ variant of the Exige sports car debuted in 2003. Asian GT Championship ‘V6 400’ and GT3 racing versions followed, the latter underlining the Exige’s competition heritage by winning the British GT3 Constructors Championship in 2006. The introduction of the Exige 240R in 2005 marked the first time that its Toyota engine had been supercharged, and that limited-edition model was immediately followed by the 240 Cup.
Having added a supercharger to the stock Exige to create the 240R/240 Cup, the engineers at Lotus Sport couldn’t resist giving the package a further tweak. Thanks to a new airbox and fuel pump, revised intercooler and enlarged rooftop air scoop, the Cup 255’s 1.8-litre, 16-valve, variable timing Toyota engine produces 251bhp, an output which, combined with a weight of only 930kg or thereabouts, makes for stupendous performance capable of humbling the most exotic of supercars on all but the longest and fastest of circuits. On the road virtually nothing will touch it, especially at the price. The Cup 255’s prodigious straightline speed (top whack is over 150mph) is restrained by four-pot AP Racing brake calipers at the front, while adjustable Öhlins suspension caters for individual driver preference. Standard equipment includes an FIA-approved six-point roll cage, four-point harnesses, electronic fire extinguishing system and a mechanical kill switch, yet despite its race-orientated specification the Cup 255 is fully road legal.
One of only four built, three of which were exported to Europe for racing purposes, this right-hand Exige Cup 255 is thus the only example remaining in the UK. Purchased from Lotus in September 2007 at a cost within a whisker of £60,000, the car has been maintained by Merritts Lotus in Amersham, Bucks and is presented in excellent condition throughout, having covered a mere 3,000-or-so miles from new in the hands of its sole owner. The car comes with its original service, racing and Öhlins suspension manuals, and is offered with Swansea V5C document. Representing exceptional value for money, this Exige Cup 255 affords the prospect of a potentially competitive drive the Lotus Cup Europe and GT4 race series, or simply the ultimate track-day experience.