Lotus Motorsport is launching a new race car and race series revolved around their in-production Lotus Evora. The Lotus Evora Cup race car, on sale for £120,000 excluding taxes, will use a new 395-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 engine mated to a Cima six-speed paddle-shift sequential transmission.
Built to GT4 specs, the car qualifies to race in many events worldwide. Still, Lotus execs decided that a one-make race calendar would be a good way to showcase the car's abilities. The 2010 Evora Cup uses a system where five points will be awarded for showing up to a race, five points for a first-place finish, down to one point for a fifth-place end. Double points will be given at the Lotus Festivals in Donington Park, England, in October, and Vallelunga, Italy, in November. The winner of the series is the driver with the most points over six months. Over €100,000 in cash prizes will be awarded.
The Evora race car weighs 200 kilos less than the production model, weighing in at 1200 kg. Lotus did not specifically state where the weight savings come from, mentioning that the production car already uses a lightweight aluminum chassis, but they did install a carbon fiber Dallara aerokit. To keep things under control, engineers chose six-piston front callipers and two-piece aluminum belled discs.
"The Evora Cup racing car is the first step along the route for Lotus Motorsport to realise its racing ambitions," says Lotus Director of Motorsport Claudio Berro. "I am looking forward to seeing the Evora racing this year in the Lotus Evora Cup competition and I am excited by the plans for 2011, where Lotus intends to introduce a pan European one make race series for the Evora Cup."
Painted in Epsom Green with a single Solar Yellow racing stripe down the middle, the Lotus Evora Race Car will be introduced to the public at Autosport International in Birmingham, England, today.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Lotus Evora Race Car and Evora Cup Series
2010 Chevrolet Camaro Synergy Special Edition
Chevrolet has just begun sales of a new special edition of the Camaro. The 2010 Chevy Camaro Synergy Special Edition is mostly about the car's color, which was first shown off last year at SEMA.
The Synergy Green paintjob is offset by Cyber Grey racing stripes on the hood and deck lid, but not the roof. The green tone is also used on the door inserts and instrument panel, and is the chosen color for the stitching on the black cloth seats, steering wheel, shift knob, and console.
Based on the Camaro 1LT, the limited model uses a 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 providing 304 horsepower and up to 273 ft-lb of torque. The engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox. Also included standard is the Convenience and Connectivity Package, which includes Bluetooth capabilities, a USB port, and remote start for cars with the automatic transmission.
The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Synergy Special Edition will be produced from February to May. Retail price begins at $26,790.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Porsche 911 GT3 R Makes Debut at Autosport International
Porsche has publicly unveiled its latest race car based on the 911 model at the Autosport International show at the Birmingham NEC. It's called the 911 GT3 R and replaces the GT3 Cup S. Porsche has tried to make it as accessible as possible by including such equipment as ABS, traction control and an electronic throttle with a ‘blip' function on gearbox down-changes. It makes even the amateur racer feel like a professional.
"Since we announced our intention to launch the 911 GT3 R, demand has been huge," said Uwe Brettel, Head of Motorsport Sales. "The number of GT3 R vehicles we had planned for 2010 is almost sold out."
Power is sourced from a modified boxer engine based on the 3.8-litre version. Cubic capacity has been increased to 4.0-litre and maximum power is 358kW (480bhp) and the vehicle mass is just 1,200 kg (2,646 lbs).
Some body features include LED rear lights, additional wheel arches at the front and rear, a completely covered underbody, a rear diffuser and a more adjustable rear wing.
The suspension system consists of height-adjustable MacPherson struts up front, two-way shock absorbers and double coil springs. At the rear a rigidly mounted sub-frame with a height-adjustable multi-arm axle and more two-way shock absorbers and double coil springs do the job.
A new Racing Driver Development Programme based in Silverstone, UK is geared towards both casual racers and those who are more serious about motorsport. It prepares attendees for everything including skills and knowledge required by the industry.
Schumacher Testing At Jerez
Michael Schumacher was recently allowed by the FIA to do some testing in a GP2 car and this is the video of seven-time World Champion testing at Jerez. For the test Schumacher used his customary red helmet but word is that he will be dropping the colour that has come to be synonymous with the German and his days at Ferrari. It’s yet unknown which colours Schumacher has opted for but we do know is that Schuberth helmets is already working on a prototype model for Schumacher.
VW Golf VI GTI RZR by RevoZport
Hong Kong tuners RevoZport have released a new aerokit for one of the favorite cars of VW fans. The Golf VI GTI RZR includes a full package of modifications without changing the car's overall appeal.
In addition to the body changes, the company's custom engine mapping bumps up power by 70-horsepower to 270. Because of the changes to the engine and exhaust, one of the mods is a new vented carbon-kevlar bonnet, which weighs in at an ultralight 4kg.
The company's mods change the face of the car by adding a new front bumper, adjustable splitter, and LED lighting. Fender flares fit to the stock sidesills. A new rear bumper, with adjustable diffuser, is also available, as are carbon mirror caps and carbon rear spoiler. When not using carbon fiber, RevoZport engineers used Pultrudeed Fiber Reinforced Plastic, all helping to save weight.
The Golf VI GTi RZR tuning package is currently available for order, and will appear in shops from February.
RDX RaceDesign Peugoet 207
German tuners RDX Racedesign have designed a new package for the Peugeot 207 and 207 CC. Although each part is sold separately, the full kit can be obtained for €590.
Shown in black with dark grey wheels, the packages consists of a front spoiler, headlight blends, side skirts, roof spoiler, and rear apron. Sideskirts fit on all models, and the rear apron accommodates single- and dual-sided exhaust. When all is said and done, the 207 gets a fresh look from the additions.
Each part is constructed from PU-ABS plastic, with all parts approved by the TÜV control board in Germany. RDX covers each part under a two-year warranty. The bodykit for the Peugeot 207 and 207 CC should be available from the RDX Racedesign webshop soon.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Super GT 2010 Team Impul & Team Calsonic Testing At SIC
The race is still some time away but two Nissan teams take this opportunity to do some off season testing at the Sepang International Circuit.
The cars from Team Impul and Calsonic can be seen doing their laps from today till Thursday (12th to 14th January) on the 5.543km long circuit.
Little details are available for now as the teams are testing their latest machines and don’t want their information on their “secret weapon” to leak out to the other teams.
Fans can get a sneak peak of the cars from the main grandstand but no cameras are allowed.
The Super GT season is expected to start around March and the Malaysian round of the race series will be on the 18th to 20th June.
Gemballa MIG-U1
Now we have more official information and images. It is a little odd to see the German tuner working on any other brand but Porsche but this image is exactly what Gemballa set out to change when they decided to work on the Ferrari; to show that Gemballa is not “married” to Porsche.
So with that they set out work on the Ferrari Enzo and the by-product of all that tinkering and tuning is 700hp produced by the same V12 powerplant that powers the Enzo. And to ensure all that power is manageable, Gemballa’s bodykit helps to produce downforce. The new front skirt for example, features a spoiler lip that generates up to 35kg of additional downforce and comes with door extensions to the diffuser and rear spoiler.
All wheel-houses have been reworked on to let it take advantage of the extensive cooling system to keep the brakes within optimum working temperature. Further aiding downfoce is a rear flap that lowers itself at speeds of over 120km/h and keeping everything cool in the engine bay are air inlets located behind the doors and on the roof. Thanks to all the upgraded aero work, the car is now 80mm wider up front and 100mm wider at the back.
Wheels are 10×19 inch forged rims at the front and 13×20 inch types at the back and are wrapped in 265/35 and 335/30 tyres.
Customers will be treated to an interior featuring such creature comfort like satellite navigation, a DVD changer, an iPod connection, a 7-inch touch screen and a 950-Watt amplifier for the sound.
GEMBALLA promises that no two of the 25 planned MIG-U1 production models will be exactly the same. Read on below for more information on this truly unique Enzo.
