LOTUS GROUP - Lotus, one of the most famous names in world motorsport, has revealed an all-new competition-spec GT4 challenger and at its core is the critically acclaimed Emira sports car.
The culmination of more than 70 years of
innovation on the road and track, it marks the start of an exciting new era in
performance GT racing for Lotus.
Developed in collaboration with project
partner RML Group, the race-ready concept is yet another milestone in the
transformation which is taking place in every area of the Lotus business and
brand.
Following the July launch of the Lotus
Emira and its dynamic debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed, Lotus and RML Group
are committed to writing a successful new chapter in the legendary Lotus
motorsport story.
Most recently, that has been via the
Evora GT4, which won prestigious races and championships including in British
GT, Dubai 24hrs, Barcelona 24hrs, European GT, Sepang 12hrs and the Pirelli
World Challenge.
Almost
all modern Lotus road cars have had race-ready siblings and the Emira is no
exception. Each customer car will be a homologated performance machine,
hand-built with lightweight motorsport components and equipment to meet the latest
safety regulations.
The
Hethel-based development team has focused on precision engineering to deliver
outstanding dynamics and high-speed stability. The advanced composite bodywork
makes the car exceptionally lightweight and, coupled with Toyota’s race-proven
3.5-litre V6 engine and optimised GT4 aerodynamics derived from the road-going
Emira’s advanced exterior design, the Emira GT4 promises to be more than
competitive.
Richard
Selwin, Race Programme Manager, Lotus, commented: “The all-new Emira GT4 is an
exciting next step following the hugely successful launch of the Emira road
car. We have worked hard with the team at RML Group to ensure this
next-generation of Lotus GT car will deliver race-winning performance.”
Simon
Holloway, Commercial Director, RML Group, commented: “We are delighted to be
collaborating with Lotus on the all-new Emira GT4 Concept. Both companies have
a long and successful motorsport pedigree, and to bring that together at such
an exciting time for Lotus is a welcome validation of our vision and values.”
Gavan
Kershaw, today the Director of Vehicle Attributes for Lotus but previously a GT
championship-winning driver of Lotus race cars, has been involved in the
development of the Emira GT4 from the start. He commented: “The all-new chassis
on which the Emira has been developed is the perfect starting point for a
high-performance race car. Everyone at Lotus is so excited to be returning to
world motorsport and to be doing so with such a competitive race car.”
Lotus
has been synonymous with racing success ever since the Mark I, a trials car
hand-built by founder Colin Chapman in 1948, and the company has pioneered many
of the technical innovations which make racing the thrilling sport it is today.
The impressive roll-call of honours includes seven Formula 1 Constructors'
titles, six Drivers' Championships and the Indianapolis 500.
The
return to world motorsport is a key pillar of the company’s transformation.
Earlier this year Lotus Engineering, the consultancy division of the business,
became technical partner to JBXE, the Extreme E race team led by F1 world
champion Jenson Button.
The
Lotus Emira GT4 will be officially launched later this year at an event on the
Hethel test track, the iconic 2.2-mile circuit which has hosted the development
of some of the world’s most famous race cars.
Lotus
aims to build a limited number of Emira GT4 race cars for the 2022 season,
increasing production for 2023 in line with global demand. Interested parties
are invited to contact the Lotus motorsport department directly via motorsport@lotuscars.com
Lotus Emira GT4 tech spec and target
performance data
|
Engine |
Toyota V6 2GR-FE |
|
Cubic Capacity |
3.5-litres |
|
Power |
400bhp* |
|
RPM |
7,200rpm |
|
Supercharger |
Harrop TVS 1900 |
|
Transmission |
6-speed xTrac with paddleshift +
limited slip differential |
|
Fuel cell capacity |
96-litres FIA-approved fuel cell |
|
Electronics |
Motec-supplied dashboard with
data-logging + bespoke motorsport loom |
|
Suspension |
Front and rear double-wishbone / Öhlins coil-over
dampers / anti-roll bars |
|
Brakes |
|
|
Tyres |
Pirelli GT4 265/645x18 (front) and
305/680x18 (rear) |
|
Safety equipment |
FIA-compliant roll cage, six-point
harness and fire extinguisher |
|
Dimensions |
Length 4,410mm / height 1,290mm /
track 1,664mm |
|
Dry weight |
1,260kg* |
*Subject to balance of performance