 |  |  |  |
2006 Lotus Circuit Car news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
The prototype Lotus 'Circuit Car' will run for the first time at the oldest motorsport venue in the world, the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, during the Centenary celebrations. Based on the strong, stiff and lightweight aluminium chassis first seen on the Lotus Elise, and weighing in at around 650 kg, the single-seater car (with an option of two seats) has been designed and engineered solely for Track Days and Club Racing. The prototype car was designed and built in an incredible eleven weeks and production versions are scheduled to be built from mid 2006 in the world class production facilities at the Lotus headquarters in Hethel Norfolk.
The Following Information Describes the Prototype Lotus 'Circuit Car'
The visually dramatic open-topped prototype 'Circuit Car' has lightweight composite bodywork and a very powerful supercharged and intercooled 1.8 litre 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 wîth VVTL-i (Variable Valve Timing and Lift – intelligent) is mated to a Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger wîth air-to-air intercooler to give a maximum power output of 243 hp (181 kW) at 8000 rpm and a maximum torque of 174 lb ft (236 Nm) at 7000 rpm. On production versions, an entry-level naturally-aspirated VVTL-i engine will also be available wîth 190 hp (141 kW) at 8000 rpm and 138 lbft (181 Nm) at 7000 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 perfect for the tight and twisty Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb course.
The power to weight ratio, of course a key Lotus engineering principle and core brand value, for the supercharged engine is around 373 hp/tonne (278 kW/tonne) wîth a torque to weight ratio of 267 lbft per tonne (363 Nm/tonne). 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) wîth 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 wîth 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 wîth no windscreen is combined wîth flat, unsculptured sides wîth 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.
For the Shelsley Walsh Event, the 'Circuit Car' uses Lotus Sport 5 spoke forged wheels, which are shod wîth Yokohama A005 Hill Climb specification racing slicks (Yokohama A006 racing wet tyres are an option). For production versions, other tyre options will also be available. Suspension and damping is provided by fully independent unequal length wishbones, Eibach coil springs, Ohlins 2-way adjustable dampers and an adjustable front anti-roll bar. 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. 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 wîth 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 hp version in the ÚK. Prices in other markets will be release over the next few months.Source - Lotus Cars
The Following Information Describes the Prototype Lotus 'Circuit Car'
The visually dramatic open-topped prototype 'Circuit Car' has lightweight composite bodywork and a very powerful supercharged and intercooled 1.8 litre 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 wîth VVTL-i (Variable Valve Timing and Lift – intelligent) is mated to a Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger wîth air-to-air intercooler to give a maximum power output of 243 hp (181 kW) at 8000 rpm and a maximum torque of 174 lb ft (236 Nm) at 7000 rpm. On production versions, an entry-level naturally-aspirated VVTL-i engine will also be available wîth 190 hp (141 kW) at 8000 rpm and 138 lbft (181 Nm) at 7000 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 perfect for the tight and twisty Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb course.
The power to weight ratio, of course a key Lotus engineering principle and core brand value, for the supercharged engine is around 373 hp/tonne (278 kW/tonne) wîth a torque to weight ratio of 267 lbft per tonne (363 Nm/tonne). 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) wîth 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 wîth 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 wîth no windscreen is combined wîth flat, unsculptured sides wîth 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.
For the Shelsley Walsh Event, the 'Circuit Car' uses Lotus Sport 5 spoke forged wheels, which are shod wîth Yokohama A005 Hill Climb specification racing slicks (Yokohama A006 racing wet tyres are an option). For production versions, other tyre options will also be available. Suspension and damping is provided by fully independent unequal length wishbones, Eibach coil springs, Ohlins 2-way adjustable dampers and an adjustable front anti-roll bar. 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. 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 wîth 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 hp version in the ÚK. Prices in other markets will be release over the next few months.Source - Lotus Cars
| Land Rover Celebrates 65 Years Of Technology And Innovation | |
 | SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF LAND ROVER From our earliest days, the desire to create a vehicle that will tackle any terrain has made Land Rover famous around the world. Over the past 65 years, the Land Rover family has grown into the highly respected range of vehicles that are sold in record numbers today. As Land Rover continues to go from strength to strength, we thought it was time to look back at the milestones in our history that have got us here. The last 65 years have been an adventure. ...[Read more...] |
| 2014 Corvette Stingray Starts At $51,995 | |
 | The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe will have a suggested starting retail price of $51,995, and the Corvette Stingray Convertible will start at $56,995. Both prices include a $995 destination fee but exclude tax, title, and license. 'The 2014 Corvette Stingray perfectly embodies Chevrolet's mission to deliver more than expected for our customers,' said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet marketing. 'The Corvette Stingray delivers a combination of performance, design and technology t...[Read more...] |
| NISSAN LAUNCHES NEW ERA FOR NISMO AS ITS GLOBAL PERFORMANCE CAR AND MOTORSPORTS BRAND | |
 | •Redeveloped global headquarters in Yokohama heralds new era for NISMO •NISMO to create a range of affordable performance Nissan models from small cars to flagship sports cars •Juke NISMO is the first, followed by new 2014 370Z NISMO •New GT-R NISMO confirmed, the ultimate Nissan performance supercar •Nissan's global motorsports program to be managed by NISMO Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today kicked off a new era for NISMO, confirming it as Nissan's exclusive global performance car and mot...[Read more...] |
| Powertrain Innovation Comes Standard on 2013 Regal | |
 | The 2013 Buick Regal luxury sport sedan arrives at dealerships this fall with a standard advanced eAssist powertrain and 36 highway mpg. Two powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engines give Regal one of the most technologically advanced engine ranges in the brand's history. 'With eAssist, Buick is redefining what a 'conventional powertrain' means to customers,' said eAssist global chief engineer Stephen Poulos. 'It changes the fuel economy – but not the experience – for the 97 percent of new...[Read more...] |
| JAGUAR EXPANDS POWERTRAIN CHOICE WITH TWO ADDITIONAL FORCED-INDUCTION PETROL ENGINES | |
 | As Jaguar expands its product offer in key global markets it is introducing two additional petrol units to its range to enhance customer choice; the new 3.0-litre V6 Supercharged Petrol, and the 2.0-litre I4 Turbocharged Petrol. Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar Cars, said: 'Jaguar currently has its strongest range of products for several decades. Our continued growth is dependent on two things; activating the awareness of the brand, and expanding our range to enable us to access...[Read more...] |
 2006
Lotus
models |
| Lotus Elise |
| Lotus Elise S |
| Lotus Europa S Type 121 |
| Lotus Exige S |
| Lotus Sport Exige GT3 | 2006 Lotus Concepts |
| Lotus APX |
| Lotus Exige 265E Concept |
| Lotus Exige Cup |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Aston Martin | Bentley |
| Bugatti | Devon |
| Ferrari | GTA |
| Koenigsegg | Lamborghini |
| Maserati | Maybach |
| McLaren | Porsche |
| Rolls-Royce | Spyker |
| Tesla | |
| Lotus: 2001-2010 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Lotus History |
| Other models by Lotus |
| Manufacturer Website |
| 16 18 FJ 340R 51 and 51A 61 | 81 Carlton Cortina Elan Eleven | Elise Elite Type 14 Coupé Esprit Europa Evora | Excel Exige Fifteen Mark VI Seven | Type 19 Type 20 Type 21 Type 22 Type 23 | Type 24 Type 25 Type 27 Type 30 Type 38 | Type 49 |
© 1998-2012. All rights reserved. The material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
