The visually dramatic
open-topped prototype "Circuit Car" has lightweight composite
bodywork and a very powerful supercharged and intercooled 1.8 liter engine.
The innovative and technologically advanced extruded and bonded aluminium chassis has high side sills that reduce the complexity of the chassis structure.
The engine with VVTL-i (Variable Valve Timing and Lift - intelligent) is mated to a Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger with air-to-air intercooler to give a maximum power output of 243 bhp at 8,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 174 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm. On production versions, an entry-level naturally-aspirated VVTL-i engine will also be available with 190 bhp at 8,000 rpm and 138 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm. Engine management control is provided by the bespoke - mapped Lotus T4 system and a drive-by-wire electronic throttle.
The 6-speed C64 close ratio gearbox is linked to an open slip differential and a prototype traction control system. The power to weight ratio, of course a key Lotus engineering principle and core brand value, for the supercharged engine is around 373 bhp/tone with a torque to weight ratio of 267 lb-ft per tone. It is estimated to achieve the 0 - 100 mph (160 km/h) sprint in less than 9.0 seconds. This exciting combination has allowed for a dynamic racing package producing higher performance to that of existing Elise-based products, powering the car from 0 - 62 mph (0 - 100 km/h) in under 4 seconds.
Braking is provided by a servo-assisted, track tuned 4-channel Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Lotus/AP-Racing twin-piston fixed aluminium alloy front brake calipers, Brembo single-piston sliding rear calipers and 282 mm diameter, 26 mm thick front and rear, cast-iron ventilated & cross-drilled discs.
The lightweight GRP composite bodywork is bolted to the chassis for easy removal for maintenance and race / track preparation. The bodywork has been designed by the Lotus Design team led by Russell Carr, Chief of Design for Lotus. Russell Carr, explains the design philosophy of the new Lotus "Circuit Car": "The design captures the essence of the other Lotus based products and combines it with a functionally correct bodywork to give a racecar that is not only beautiful to look at but aerodynamically and structurally as effective as it possibly can be," The small frontal area with no windscreen is combined with flat, unsculptured sides with no airintakes, for minimal drag; and a deep front splitter and a large rear wing (single plane as standard and dual element as an option) and a rear diffuser to attain maximum aerodynamic downforce.
Tony Shute, Head of Product Development at Lotus Cars will be driving the Lotus "Circuit Car" for its premier at the Shelsley Walsh Centenary celebrations in the UK (August 19th - 21st). Tony explains what makes the Lotus "Circuit Car" a leading high performance track car: "This new product has allowed Lotus to once again apply its key "performance through lightweight" philosophy. This is in order to achieve an innovative product for the track day and club racing Lotus enthusiast whilst staying true to the key design attributes of the Elise and Exige products. They are considered to be amongst the finest existing road and track day cars by thousands of owners around the world, and the "Circuit Car" will build on this formidable reputation, helping to further underline Lotus as the ultimate driver's choice."
The Lotus "Circuit Car" is scheduled to go on sale by mid 2006 with volumes of approximately 100 units per year.
The name of the "Circuit Car" and the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices will not be confirmed until closer to production but it is expected that the production versions of the Lotus "Circuit Car" will start at around £25,000 for the 190 bhp version in the UK. Prices in other markets will be released over the next few months.
The innovative and technologically advanced extruded and bonded aluminium chassis has high side sills that reduce the complexity of the chassis structure.
The engine with VVTL-i (Variable Valve Timing and Lift - intelligent) is mated to a Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger with air-to-air intercooler to give a maximum power output of 243 bhp at 8,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 174 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm. On production versions, an entry-level naturally-aspirated VVTL-i engine will also be available with 190 bhp at 8,000 rpm and 138 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm. Engine management control is provided by the bespoke - mapped Lotus T4 system and a drive-by-wire electronic throttle.
The 6-speed C64 close ratio gearbox is linked to an open slip differential and a prototype traction control system. The power to weight ratio, of course a key Lotus engineering principle and core brand value, for the supercharged engine is around 373 bhp/tone with a torque to weight ratio of 267 lb-ft per tone. It is estimated to achieve the 0 - 100 mph (160 km/h) sprint in less than 9.0 seconds. This exciting combination has allowed for a dynamic racing package producing higher performance to that of existing Elise-based products, powering the car from 0 - 62 mph (0 - 100 km/h) in under 4 seconds.
Braking is provided by a servo-assisted, track tuned 4-channel Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Lotus/AP-Racing twin-piston fixed aluminium alloy front brake calipers, Brembo single-piston sliding rear calipers and 282 mm diameter, 26 mm thick front and rear, cast-iron ventilated & cross-drilled discs.
The lightweight GRP composite bodywork is bolted to the chassis for easy removal for maintenance and race / track preparation. The bodywork has been designed by the Lotus Design team led by Russell Carr, Chief of Design for Lotus. Russell Carr, explains the design philosophy of the new Lotus "Circuit Car": "The design captures the essence of the other Lotus based products and combines it with a functionally correct bodywork to give a racecar that is not only beautiful to look at but aerodynamically and structurally as effective as it possibly can be," The small frontal area with no windscreen is combined with flat, unsculptured sides with no airintakes, for minimal drag; and a deep front splitter and a large rear wing (single plane as standard and dual element as an option) and a rear diffuser to attain maximum aerodynamic downforce.
Tony Shute, Head of Product Development at Lotus Cars will be driving the Lotus "Circuit Car" for its premier at the Shelsley Walsh Centenary celebrations in the UK (August 19th - 21st). Tony explains what makes the Lotus "Circuit Car" a leading high performance track car: "This new product has allowed Lotus to once again apply its key "performance through lightweight" philosophy. This is in order to achieve an innovative product for the track day and club racing Lotus enthusiast whilst staying true to the key design attributes of the Elise and Exige products. They are considered to be amongst the finest existing road and track day cars by thousands of owners around the world, and the "Circuit Car" will build on this formidable reputation, helping to further underline Lotus as the ultimate driver's choice."
The Lotus "Circuit Car" is scheduled to go on sale by mid 2006 with volumes of approximately 100 units per year.
The name of the "Circuit Car" and the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices will not be confirmed until closer to production but it is expected that the production versions of the Lotus "Circuit Car" will start at around £25,000 for the 190 bhp version in the UK. Prices in other markets will be released over the next few months.
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