Lotus Evora Type 124 Endurance Racecar
September 12, 2009 by George Skentzos
Lotus has developed an endurance racer based on its newly released Evora which is set to make its 24 hour racing debut at the ADAC Nürburgring 24 Hours.
The Lotus Evora Type 124 Endurance Racecar has been engineered to FIA regulations and safety standards, making this a great test of the Evora’s performance, efficiency and durability.
The inherited mid-engine layout, high-tech and super-stiff extruded and bonded aluminium chassis and very strong lightweight forged aluminium wishbones make the Type 124 a natural evolution from the road going Evora to a competitive endurance racecar.
“Every Lotus car is designed to be at home on the race track as well as the road, and the Evora is no different. Designed primarily as an everyday road car, the Evora’s lightweight and stiff structure, its aerodynamics and performance means that it is perfectly suited to taming race tracks around the world.” Roger Becker, Vehicle Engineering Director for Group Lotus Plc said.
It will use a race-tuned version of the Toyota V6 engine with power increased to over 294kW while weight has been reduced by some 200kg – bringing the overall mass to less than 1200kg.
Further changes include a six speed sequential paddle shift racing gearbox, full FIA specification roll cage, FIA-compliant 120 litre ATL fuel system, FIA fire extinguisher system, competition carbon fibre rear wing, diffuser and front splitter.
The racecar is fitted with AP Racing 6 piston callipers front and rear, with a race-tuned Bosch ABS system, 4-way adjustable dampers and adjustable anti-roll bars.
The body design remains predominantly unchanged from the road car, with the modifications being to the lower sections of the front and rear clamshells and the side sills.
So the standard Evora is 1400kg?
1400kg with a 3.5L v6 doesn’t sound all that exciting really….
I dont get what people are seeing in the Evora… Doesn’t matter if I see it as a racecar or a roadcar i just dont like it
0-100 in under 5 seconds ( claimed) though is pretty Impressive for a standard 3.5 V6, can’t wait to see how this racer perfoms.
It’s a shame that such an iconic car company has to be associated with a toyota engine.It really cheapens the brand and IMO makes it less desirable as a sports car.
Toyota has some of the best engine technology in the world. Why wouldn’t they use it. The Elise has a Toyota 1.8l in it too.
I agree and would be very surprised if the engine didn’t last the race distance.
And Toyota sources its motors from Yamaha anyway…
Yamaha is mainly responsible for the tuning of Toyota’s higher performing engines.The 1.8L was tuned by Yamaha and the up coming Lexsus V10 has had substantial work on the head etc also done by Yamaha.
Again,other companies do the work and toyota gets the credit.
Yamah build and tune engines for a number of car manufacturers. Infact they build the V8 found in the Volvo XC90 based on Volvo specifications. Hence they build Toyota engines based on Toyota’s specifications.
lol at the smile
…This 1200kg 294kW model should be standard….