Lotus shocked attendees of this month’s 2023 Monterey Automotive Week in California with the reveal of the Kind 66, a limited-edition observe automotive based mostly on a race automotive that Lotus designed within the late Nineteen Sixties however by no means bought round to constructing.
The unique plan for the Kind 66 was to enter it within the 1970 Can-Am Collection. Lotus founder Colin Chapman needed to see how his firm’s light-weight ethos would fare in Can-Am however a deal with Formulation 1 meant Chapman by no means bought his want, regardless of Lotus’ lead draughtsman on the time, Geoff Ferris, having accomplished a lot of the design of the Kind 66.
To assist have a good time Lotus’ seventy fifth anniversary this yr, the corporate has now introduced plans to place the Kind 66 into manufacturing. Simply 10 examples might be constructed, as a nod to the variety of races the automotive would have competed in in the course of the 1970 Can-Am season, and every might be priced from greater than 1 million British kilos (roughly $1.27 million).
To develop the automotive, Lotus depends on authentic drawings, a few of which have been within the possession of Clive Chapman, Colin Chapman’s son and the present director of Lotus’ traditional automotive division. Utilizing these drawings, Lotus was capable of create computer-generated 3D photos to assist finalize the design.
Lotus Kind 66
Some modifications have been made, principally to satisfy fashionable security requirements. For instance, Lotus has added an inboard gasoline cell, sequential transmission with anti-stall, a carbon-fiber physique, and a bolstered driver compartment.
Efficiency facets have been enhanced too, notably in terms of aerodynamics of the underbody. Utilizing fashionable computational fluid dynamics, Lotus has managed to create a design that generates greater than 1,763 kilos of downforce at 150 mph.
“Whereas the visible expression is strikingly just like what may have been—together with the period-correct white, purple and gold graphics—the expertise and mechanical underpinnings of the Lotus Kind 66 symbolize the easiest in at present’s superior racing efficiency,” Simon Lane, who heads the mission, stated in a press release.
Based on Lotus, simulator testing has proven the Kind 66 will possible match the efficiency of a contemporary GT3 race automotive.
Lotus Kind 66
The chassis consists of extruded aluminum, bonded joints, and aluminum honeycomb panels, which was just like what Lotus was utilizing on the time. A hard and fast roll cage has additionally been added for security.
One of many actual highlights of the design is a pushrod V-8 engine that Lotus has developed purely the mission. The mid-mounted engine, full with cast aluminum internals and trumpet-style air intakes, is claimed to ship 830 hp at 8,800 rpm. The intakes, which have been a typical website in the course of the Can-Am days, create laminar move whereas additionally growing volumetric effectivity, serving to to enhance combustion and in flip increase energy.
Lotus hasn’t stated when deliveries will begin.
