Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance had been witness to a substantial number of Lotus in the recently concluded event. Three new models of the Lotus was unveiled during the event with one of them being a world premier – that of the Lotus Exos Type 125 which is slated to be the ultimate in the track and race car genre. This would in reality be a stripped out roadster so that its weight is down to the barest minimum giving its select few customers the delight of a private race car. It comes with a Cosworth V-8 powerplant and a carbon fiber monocoque chassis.
At the show along with the Lotus 125 there was the Lotus Evora Cup GT4 and the latest 2011 Lotus Elise SC RGB Edition. These two cars also would be making their debut at the US. Coming to the Cosworth V-8, the engine is rated at 650 hp before running out of breath at 10,300 rpm. Combine this with a kerb weight of just 1,433 pound and what you have is a car that can well be described as the road going version of an F1 car. Other hi-tech stuff that finds place in the car include carbon ceramic brakes and carbon fiber pushrod suspension. Transmission is of the semi automatic type while the steering wheel comes included with a multi function display.
However, there will be just 25 Exos Type 125s to come out of the production lines with each unit costing around a million dollars. The price is inclusive of a special Exos program with former F1 drivers to provide training.
The show at Pebble Beach also played host to the Lotus Evora Cup GT4 race car and latest 2011 Lotus Elise SC RGB Edition, both of which will be seen plying on U.S. roads soon.
Based on the production Evora the Lotus Evora Cup GT4 weighs 400 pounds less than the Evora though its race tuned V-6, 4.0 liter engine delivers 118 hp of extra power. The standard Evora has a 3.5 liter engine sourced from Toyota that has a max power output of 276 hp. The Evora Cup on the other hand has a larger engine and delivers 394 hp. The engine is mid mounted and for transmission has a six speed sequential paddle shift dog gear box. The kerb weight being under 2640 pound along with a powerful engine adds up to a performance oriented car that the Evora Cup would be.
The new 2011 Lotus Elise SC RGB Edition is in celebration of the work of the legendary Roger George Becker (RGB), who was the director of Vehicle Engineering and retired recently after 44 years of illustrious service. The Elise RGB has a 1.8 liter supercharged engine that develops 217 hp. The car would be available in the following colors of Aspen White, Starlight Black, Solar Yellow and Carbon Grey. Each of the car would have Mr. Roger Becker’s signature and a numbered interior plaque.
Source: motorauthority
