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.
Richard Selwin, Race Programme Manager, Lotus, 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
Toyota V6 2GR-FE, dry sump, Motec engine management
Harrop TVS 1900
Xtrac six-speed sequential with paddleshift actuation and LSD
96-litre FIA FT3-approved, with dry brake filler
Motec dashboard with data-logging. Motorsport wiring harness
Double wishbone front & rear. Two-way adjustable Ohlins TTx dampers. Front and rear anti-roll bars.
Competition specification brake system. Bosch adjustable Motorsport ABS
Pirelli GT4 265/645x18 (front) and 305/680x18 (rear)
FIA-homologated six-point roll cage, FIA-compliant HANS-approved seat with six-point harness. Electronic fire extinguisher system / isolator switches
Length 4,410mm / height 1,290mm / track 1,636mm
Extruded and bonded aluminium chassis with composite panels
From £165,000 (excluding taxes & delivery)
*Subject to balance of performance
Lotus launches Emira GT4 race car with hot laps at Hethel
Lotus Emira GT4 - hot laps at Hethel
Lotus Emira GT4 - hot laps at Hethel
Lotus Emira GT4 - hot laps at Hethel
Lotus Emira GT4 - hot laps at Hethel
Lotus Emira GT4 - hot laps at Hethel
Lotus Emira GT4 - hot laps at Hethel
Lotus Emira GT4 - hot laps at Hethel
Lotus Emira GT4 and Lotus Type 30
Lotus Emira GT4 and Lotus Type 30
Lotus Emira GT4 and Lotus Type 30
Lotus Emira GT4 and Lotus Type 30
Lotus Emira GT4 at Hethel
Lotus Emira GT4 at Hethel
Lotus Emira GT4 at Hethel
Lotus Emira GT4 at Hethel
Lotus Emira GT4 at Hethel
Lotus Emira GT4 at Hethel
Lotus Emira GT4 at Portimao
Lotus Emira GT4 at Portimao
Lotus Emira GT4 at Portimao
Lotus Emira GT4 at Portimao
Lotus Emira GT4 at Portimao
Lotus Emira GT4 at Portimao
Lotus Emira GT4 at Portimao
Lotus Emira GT4 at Portimao
Lotus Cup Europe is the world's premier and longest-running Lotus race championship. First staged in 2004, it was originally set up by Group Lotus as a fun and professionally-run single-make motorsport series.
Lotus Cup Europe is an FIA International Series, with safety and technical regulations governed by world motorsport’s governing body. In addition to enjoying similar status to prestigious series such as DTM & Blancpain, it is run as a championship.
It enjoys exceptionally high levels of support from the Lotus community, with many enthusiasts attending events across Europe. Lotus Cup Europe is active on social media with well over 60,000 Facebook followers, and all rounds are broadcast on TV and on Facebook.
Race weekends involve a minimum of free practice session, followed by 30 minutes of qualifying. There are two or three half-hour races at every meeting, with both standing and rolling starts employed.
Lotus Cup Europe receives technical support from Group Lotus, and competitors have full use of a dedicated hospitality unit with catering facilities as a social hub.
Entries are split into three classes:
Championship points are scored according to class position. This means that drivers from all four classes have an equal chance of competing for the overall title. Current champion Bence Balogh won from the V6 Cup ranks last year, however titles have previously been claimed from the 2-Eleven and Production classes.
The Lotus Cup Europe calendar features the continent’s finest circuits, with three of 2021’s rounds supporting the prestigious DTM championship at Monza, Zolder and Nürburgring. The season commences at the Hockenheim Historic and moves on to the majestic Spa Francorchamps before the three DTM events. The penultimate rounds take place in France alongside spectacular truck racing, with huge crowds at Le Mans for the famous 24 Heures Camions before the season closes at Le Castellet for the Grand Prix de Camions.
The championship is open to drivers with all levels of experience, provided they hold an International D race licence or higher. Whilt the series has grown hugely since its inception over a decade ago, the emphasis has firmly remained as a fun and social environment in which to compete.
Click here to watch all the races
During its early years the Elise Trophy supported numerous top-class events including DTM, World Touring Cars and A1GP. Today the championship runs over six rounds at UK circuits including Silverstone and Brands hatch.
Entrants require a MSA race licence and can be brand new to racing.
For more information visit: https://www.msvrelisetrophy.com
For more information visit: http://www.lcukspeed.com
Lotus Cup Japan runs over six rounds including at Suzuka circuit and Fuji speedway as part of Japan Lotus Day, the world’s largest annual gathering of Lotus cars.
For more information visit: http://www.lotus-cars.jp/motorsport/lotus-cup
Due for relaunch in 2021, Lotus Cup USA will be open to all Lotus owners with numerous examples of the Elise, Exige, Evora and 2-Eleven eligible to take part.
The series will run over six events at iconic tracks including Laguna Seca and Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Entries will be split into four classes:
For more information visit www.lotuscup.us
The series consists of a total of six events on the major Italian circuits including Monza and Imola.
The series runs a single racing-specification Lotus Elise and trophies are presented to:
For more information visit www.lotuscup.it
Lotus Cars Australia (LCA) provides a national events programme that gives owners numerous opportunities to get involved in driving and motorsport activities across the country.The programme includes:
Common to all events is full support from a team of qualified Lotus technicians.
For more information visit: www.lotuscars.com.au