Lotus launches Emira GT4 race car with hot laps at Hethel

Lotus Emira GT4 - hot laps at Hethel

Lotus-Emira-GT4-hero-film.mp4

  • Guests at VIP event treated to multi-lap thrill ride with Gavan Kershaw behind the wheel
  • Emira GT4 is first new model to be launched by Lotus Advanced Performance
  • Car marks start of exciting new era in performance GT racing for Lotus
  • All-new competition spec car sold out for first year

 

Hethel, UK – 5 May 2022  Lotus has unveiled the all-new Emira GT4 race car on the iconic Hethel test track, with a dynamic demonstration of its thrilling performance.

At an exclusive event earlier this week VIP guests were treated to passenger laps of the legendary 2.2-mile circuit with Gavan Kershaw, Director of Vehicle Attributes at Lotus and a former British GT Championship winner, at the wheel.

The culmination of more than 70 years of innovation on the road and track, the Emira GT4 marks the start of an exciting new era in performance GT racing for Lotus. It is the first new model from Lotus Advanced Performance, the bespoke vehicle and experiential division of the business launched earlier this year.

The return to world motorsport is a key pillar of the company’s transformation from a UK sports car company to a global performance car business and brand.

This week’s event follows last September’s announcement that Lotus would create a GT version of the critically acclaimed Emira road car. Order books for the Emira GT4 opened at the time and the car has sold out for the first year of production.

Gavan Kershaw, who has been heavily involved in the development, commented: “We knew we had an excellent starting point for the Emira GT4 because of all the work done to make the road car such a great performer. Showing off the GT4’s dynamic capabilities on the Hethel test track – which has shaped countless race cars and their drivers since Lotus moved to the site in 1966 – is a very special moment for me and all the team involved.”

Almost all modern Lotus road cars have had race-ready siblings and the Emira is no exception. Each Emira GT4 customer will receive a homologated performance machine, hand-built with lightweight motorsport components and equipment to meet the latest safety regulations. The project has been a collaboration with Lotus and RML Group.

The advanced composite bodywork makes the car exceptionally lightweight, and is 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.

Since last September’s announcement, the Hethel-based development team has focused on precision engineering to deliver outstanding dynamics and high-speed stability. Many hundreds of hours of validation work have taken place on the test track, and over the winter the Emira GT4 also headed to Portimão in Portugal for a week. In addition to the better weather, it’s one of the most challenging circuits in Europe, making it the perfect destination to validate aero performance and component reliability.

Stewart Croucher, Motorsport and Drive Programme Manager, commented: “We’re delighted with how the Emira GT4 programme has progressed. We have an appealing spec and a level of performance that’s going to thrill both customers and spectators around the world. I believe in the Emira GT4 we have a car that promises to be more than competitive.”

Simon Lane, Director, Lotus Advanced Performance, added: “Lotus’ commitment to motorsport is world-renowned and is one of the key elements of enhanced customer engagement within this recently launched division of the business. We have exciting plans for Lotus Advanced Performance – there is much more to come.”

Also at Hethel for the Emira GT4 launch event was a Lotus Type 30 sports racer. This white 1965 GT is powered by a Ford 4.7-litre V8, is privately owned and won the Whitsun Trophy at last year’s Goodwood Revival. Only 33 examples of the Type 30 were built and achieved numerous wins in the hands of Lotus legend Jim Clark and others.

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. Lotus’ impressive roll-call of honours includes seven Formula 1 Constructors' titles, six Drivers' Championships and victory in the legendary Indianapolis 500.

Most recently Lotus has been racing with 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.

Lotus aims to fulfil customer orders for the Emira GT4 race cars during 2022, 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, dry sump, Motec engine management

Cubic capacity

3,456 cc

Power

400bhp*

RPM

7,200rpm*

Supercharger 

Harrop TVS 1900       

Transmission 

Hewland six-speed sequential with paddleshift actuation and LSD

Fuel tank capacity

96-litre FIA FT3-approved, with dry brake filler         

Electronics

Motec dashboard with data-logging. Motorsport wiring harness

Suspension

Double wishbone front & rear. Two-way adjustable Ohlins TTx dampers. Front and rear anti-roll bars.

Brakes

Competition specification brake system. Bosch adjustable Motorsport ABS

Tyres

Pirelli GT4 265/645x18 (front) and 305/680x18 (rear)

Safety equipment

FIA-homologated six-point roll cage, FIA-compliant HANS-approved seat with six-point harness. Electronic fire extinguisher system / isolator switches

Dimensions

Length 4,410mm / height 1,290mm / track 1,636mm

Weight/Mass

1,300kg* without fluids

Body

Extruded and bonded aluminium chassis with composite panels

Wheels

Forged aluminium

Price

From £165,000 (excluding taxes & delivery)

 *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, Head of Media and Launch Programmes

rborrett@lotuscars.com

+44 (0) 7718 560789

 

Richard Yarrow, Head of News and Technology Communications

ryarrow@lotuscars.com

+44 (0) 7471 994525

 

Alastair Florance, PR Manager, News and Technology

aflorance@lotuscars.co.uk

+ 44 (0) 7802 918662

 

Samantha Thomas, PR Officer, Product Press and Digital Media

sthomas2@lotuscars.com

+44 (0) 7909 813785

 

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

https://www.instagram.com/LotusCarsPR

 

For Lotus Cars social media please follow:

https://www.facebook.com/LotusCars

https://twitter.com/lotuscars

https://www.instagram.com/lotuscars

https://www.youtube.com/grouplotus

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

 

About Lotus

Lotus Cars is based in Hethel, Norfolk, UK, and is the global HQ for sports car and hypercar manufacturing operations, Lotus Advanced Performance and the iconic 2.2-mile test track. Lotus Cars builds world-class high-performance cars, born out of legendary success on the racetrack including 13 FIA Formula 1 world titles and many other championship honours. In July 2021 Lotus unveiled the all-new Lotus Emira, its last petrol-powered sports car and best-of-breed, and in July 2019 it launched the Evija, the world’s first all-electric British hypercar. Customer deliveries of both cars will begin during 2022. In March 2022 Lotus revealed the Eletre, the world’s first all-electric hyper-SUV. Customer deliveries will begin in 2023. The Lotus Type 135, an all-electric sports car, is currently being designed and engineered at Hethel.

Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive consultancy services to many of the world's OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. It is internationally recognised for its long-standing contribution to ground-breaking engineering and innovative vehicle development. Its expertise extends beyond automotive; in August 2021 a Lotus Engineering-developed track bike helped Team GB’s cyclists win seven medals, including three golds, at the Tokyo Olympics. 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.

Lotus Tech is an affiliate company of Group Lotus, established as part of the Vision80 strategy established in 2018. With operational assets across China, the UK and Europe, Lotus Tech is dedicated to delivering smart lifestyle battery electric vehicles (BEVs) such as the Eletre. Lotus Tech is focused on R&D in next-generation automobility technologies such as electrification, digitalisation and more. In addition to the Lotus Eletre, Lotus Tech plans to launch further BEV models including a sports sedan (Type 133) another SUV (Type 134) and more, as Vision80 reaches maturity in 2028.

Group Lotus is either the parent company of or affiliated with the above. In 2017, Geely Holding Group, one of the fastest growing automotive group in the world, acquired a 51% stake in Group Lotus. The other 49% is owned by Etika Automotive, a Malaysian conglomerate.