The new Lotus "Circuit Car" was announced yesterday by Kim Ogaard-Nielsen, CEO of Group Lotus, to Lotus Club International members at the annual Lotus Club International Gala Dinner held at Norwich City Football Club.
The catchily named car is based on the Lotus Elise Aluminium chassis, and weighing in at approximately 600kg, the single-seater car (with an option of two seats) has been designed and engineered Track Day and Club Racing only.
Only 100 models of the car will be produced each year.
The bodywork combines low weight materials with extensively researched aerodynamics to ensure the body both looks the part and helps with performance and roadholding.
Power is courtesy of a (much rumoured) supercharged VVTL-i (Variable Valve Timing with Lift -- intelligent) engine, and is estimated to achieve the 0-100mph sprint in a rapid nineseconds.
An entry-level naturally-aspirated VVTL-i engine will also be available, powering the car from 0-62 mph in under 4 seconds.
Clive Dopson, Managing Director of Lotus Cars, explained where the model fits in the range, "The introduction of this new model plays a key role in developing and enhancing the presence of Lotus Cars on the track, whilst providing the driver of today with a pure circuit car which thrives on the essential values of the Lotus brand. In addition, it will be yet another example of a high quality product to be built at our world class production facilities at Hethel."
The Lotus "Circuit Car" is due to go into production at the Group Lotus Headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk, in December.
Full specifications and price will be announced closer to the production date.
The one question every Lotus fan will be asking, though, is whether that supercharged motor has a place in any forthcoming road cars.
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