Interior
The interior layout, fit and finish
Once you’ve managed to twist and wriggle yourself over the wide sills that conceal the Exige’s bonded aluminium chassis, you’re received by a snug, minimalistic interior. There’s an Alcantara wrapped steering wheel, a couple of carbon-fibre backed sports seats, a smattering of switches, a handbrake, and that’s about it. Some will argue that it’s simply too spartan to tolerate, especially when you consider the Cup 430’s high price tag, but others will view it as a uniquely purposeful, pared-down driving environment.
Talking of uniquely purposeful features, those carbon-fibre backed seats, despite being wafer thin, are surprisingly comfortable on longer drives. They place you nice and low, with your bum seemingly hovering just a couple of inches from the tarmac, while the fixed steering wheel and pedals force your arms and legs to be stretched out before you. This might not sound like a particularly relaxed driving position, but it feels entirely natural.