From the road to the racetrack: resurgent Lotus motorsport division expands global commitment with Emira GT4 race car

  • Lotus reveals all-new, competition-spec Emira GT4 contender
  • Follows recent technical partnership with Extreme E racing team JBXE
  • Hand-built GT4 race car features unique new motorsport livery
  • Developed in partnership with RML Group
  • Another milestone in ongoing Lotus transformation

 

(Hethel, UK – 8 September 2021) – 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.

Stewart Croucher, Motorsport and Drive Programme Manager, 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 

Hewland six-speed sequential with paddleshift actuation and LSD

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

Alcon discs and calipers + Bosch Motorsport ABS

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

 

Ends

 

Notes to Editors

For more information please contact the Lotus Communications team:

James Andrew, Executive Director, PR and Communications

jandrew@lotuscars.com

+44 (0) 7384 830903

Rob Borrett, PR Manager, Content & Launch Programmes

rborrett@lotuscars.com

+44 (0) 7718 560789

Alastair Florance, Group PR Manager

aflorance@lotuscars.co.uk

+ 44 (0) 7802 918662


Samantha Thomas, PR Officer, Product Press & Digital Media

sthomas2@lotuscars.com

+44 (0) 7909 813785


Richard Yarrow, PR Manager, News and Technology

ryarrow@lotuscars.com

+44 (0) 7471 994525

 

The Lotus media site – https://media.lotuscars.com – contains news, images, specifications and full details of current models, as well as heritage cars and engineering technology.

For the latest news and information from the Lotus PR Team please follow:

https://twitter.com/LotusCarsPR

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For Lotus Cars social media please follow:

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https://www.youtube.com/grouplotus

https://www.linkedin.com/company/group-lotus

 

About Lotus

Group Lotus is based in Hethel, Norfolk, UK – home to its sports and hypercar manufacturing operations, Lotus Advanced Performance Centre and the iconic 2.2-mile test track. It is part of Geely Automotive, the fastest growing automotive group in the world. Geely has a 51% controlling stake, with 49% owned by Etika Automotive, a Malaysian conglomerate.

Lotus Cars builds world-class, high-performance cars, born out of legendary successes on the race track including 13 FIA Formula 1 world titles and many other championship honours. In July 2021 it unveiled the all-new Lotus Emira, its last and best-of-breed petrol-powered sports car. The first customer cars will be delivered in 2022. In July 2019 it launched the Evija, the world’s first all-electric British hypercar.

Lotus Engineering provides a comprehensive consultancy service which works with many of the world's OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and other clients outside of the automotive sector. It is internationally recognised for its long-standing contribution to ground-breaking engineering and vehicle development. An international consultancy with offices around the world, Lotus Engineering is headquartered at the Lotus Advanced Technology Centre on the University of Warwick’s Wellesbourne Campus in the UK.

RML Group
RML Group was founded in 1984, although RML’s engineering and racing heritage can be traced back to the 1950s. The company has built World, European and British championship-winning cars, and that success has spurred RML on to become world leaders in automotive design, build and development, and pioneers in EV technology. Whether on road or track, performance, passion and winning drive everything we do.