Lotus announced very ambitious plans for the future in the fall of 2010. Motorsport is one of the key elements of these plans, which propose the British manufacturer to grow considerably and become a rival of the likes of Porsche and Ferrari. While new production models are designed, Lotus will first try to make its mark on the racing track with new competition versions of the Evora.
The most potent Evora racer is the 'GTE', which will directly challenge the company's future rivals in international events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Responsible for the development of the first Lotus top-level GT racer since the GT1 Elise of the late 1990s is a Lotus Motorsport team headed by Italian engineer Nicola Scimeca.
The lightweight and very strong bonded-aluminium monocoque chassis of the road car also forms the basis for the competition machine. There is some room in the regulations to modify the production suspension to suit the particular needs of circuit racing. A more aggressive body is fitted, constructed in its entirety from carbon fibre composites.
Engine experts Cosworth were called in to tweak the Toyota-sourced engine. The V6 was enlarged to just under four litres and fitted with dry-sump lubrication. Breathing through the mandatory restrictors, it puts out around 470 bhp. Mated to an XTrac six-speed sequential gearbox, the modified engine is installed transversely in the aluminium chassis.
In January of 2011, Austrian team JetAlliance Racing was announced as Lotus' official partner for the Evora GTE's maiden season. Two cars were entered in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC), which includes all the major endurance races like the Sebring 12 Hours and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Unfortunately the Evora GTE was not ready in time for the season opener at Sebring but they did make it out to Le Mans for the official test in April. Prior to their public debut the cars had only completed a 1000 km shakedown. Considering the Evora GTE was still in early state of development, it was not surprising that the two cars did not feature at the sharp end of the standings yet.
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Lotus announced very ambitious plans for the future in the fall of 2010. Motorsport is one of the key elements of these plans, which propose the British manufacturer to grow considerably and become a rival of the likes of Porsche and Ferrari. While new production models are designed, Lotus will first try to make its mark on the racing track with new competition versions of the Evora.
