Lotus revisits motorsport roots with new Emira GT4 race car
Following the reveal of the Lotus Emira road car in 2021, the Norfolk-based automaker has now lifted the veil off its new Emira GT4 race car.
Unveiled at the Hethel test track where Lotus dynamically sharpens its cars, the new Emira GT4 race car marks the start of an exciting era in performance GT racing for the brand since it’s the first new model from the Lotus Advanced Performance division.
This move to return to the motorsport division comes after Lotus announced that it’s transitioning from being just a UK sports car company to a global performance car business and brand.
In his own words, Gavan Kershaw, who has been heavily involved in the development said that Lotus knew it had an excellent starting point for the Emira GT4 because of all the work done to make the road car such a great performer.
Lotus Emira GT4 spec
Powering the new Lotus Emira GT4 is a Toyota-sourced 3.5-litre supercharged engine that also powers the road car. It pumps out 298 kW at 7,200 r/min wholly sent to the rear wheels via an Xtrac 6-speed sequential transmission and a limited-slip differential.
Tipping the weight scale at 1,300 kg, the Lotus Emira GT4 race car is built on an extruded and bondel aluminium chassis with composite body panels while also riding on a set of 18″ forged alluminium wheels with Pirelli GT4 265/645×18 in the front and 305/680×18 at the back. The wheels are home to a competition-specification brake system with Bosch adjustable Motorsport ABS.
“It pumps out 298 kW at 7,200 r/min wholly sent to the rear wheels”
To make the Emira race ready, it is bolstered with an FIA-homologated six-point roll cage, FIA-compliant Hans-approved seat with six-point harness, electronic fire extinguisher system and isolator switches.
Lotus aims to fulfil customer orders for the Emira GT4 race cars during 2022, increasing production for 2023 in line with global demand. Each unit costs £165,000 which is R3,262,201 at the current exchange rate and that excludes taxes and delivery.
