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Lotus "Circuit Car" - Prototype Specifiations:
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 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 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 with 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)
with 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) 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 air-intakes, 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 with 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 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 hp version in the UK. Prices in other markets will be release over the
next few months.
Ends
Technical Specifications of Prototype Lotus Circuit Car
EngineSupercharged - 240:
- 2ZZ-GE Supercharged engine, developed by Lotus Engineering
- Capacity: 1,796 cm3
- Max Power 243 hp (181 kW) @ 8000 rpm (DIN 70020)
- Max Torque: 174 lb ft (236 Nm) @ 7000 rpm (DIN 70020)
Option - 190:
- 2ZZ-GE, 4 cylinder, dohc 4 valves per cylinder with variable valve timing and
lift
- Capacity: 1,796 cm3
- Max power: 190 hp (141 kW) @ 7800 rpm (DIN 70020)
- Integral ducts to provide
engine air feed and cooling
- Max Torque: 138 lb ft (181 Nm) @ 6800 rpm (DIN 70020)
Transmission
- C64 Gearbox, all aluminium lightweight construction
- 6-speed
- Close ratio
- Constant mesh helical gears
- Open differential
- Limited Slip differential (optional)
Chassis
- Lotus designed lightweight structure of epoxy bonded aluminium alloy
extrusions and lightweight steel rear subframe Bodywork
- Lightweight composite body shell
- Bolt on exterior body panels for ease of service and repair
- Integral ducts to provide engine air feed and cooling Aerodynamics
- Flat bottom with front aero splitter and rear diffuser
- Aerodynamically designed body shape with minimal drag and frontal area
- Single plane rear wing, high downforce, carbon composite, dual element rear
wing (optional)
Suspension
- Fully independent suspension utilising unequal length wishbones
- Coaxial mono-tube gas damper
- Eibach coil springs at each corner
- Front anti roll-bar
- Bilstein dampers
- Ohlins 2-way adjustable dampers (optional)Braking System
- F&R Cross drilled disc brakes
- AP racing front brake calipers
- Brembo rear brake calipers
- ABSWheels
- 8 x Y spoke Cast wheels
- 7 - Twin spoke Lightweight Forged Wheels (optional)
- Lotus Sport 5-spoke Lightweight Forged Wheels (optional)
Tyres
- Yokohama Advan AO48
- Yokohama A006 racing wet tyres (optional)
- Yokohama A005 racing slick tyres (optional)
Passenger seat and safety
equipment
- Yokohama A005 racing slick tyres - Hillclimb Spec (optional) Electrical System
- Lotus T4 engine management system - with Drive-by-wire throttle control
- Lightweight dry cell battery Interior
- Nardi Steering Wheel
- Single Sports Seat
- Passenger seat and harness (optional)
- 6-point harnesses (optional) OptionsA variety of options will be available including:
SPORTS PACK:
- Optional dynamics improvement package
TRACK PACK:
- Passenger seat and safety equipment
SVA PACK:
- Offering parts required to convert the Lotus Circuit Car to meet UK Single
Vehicle Approval. RACE PACKS
- Options packages to tailor the car for entry into race series of the FIA and
MSA regulations.
STANDALONE OPTIONS
variety of options to tailor your vehicle to you, including:
- Limited Slip differential
- Traction control
- Race exhaust (105db)
- Racing tyres and wheel options
- Protective cover
Notes:The Shelsley Walsh Centenary Festival Meeting will run from Friday 19th to
Sunday 21st August, with the Lotus "Circuit Car" turning out for practice on the
Friday ahead of its racing debut on the Sunday. Tony Shute, Head of Product
Development at Lotus Cars, will be in the driving seat.
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