LOTUS UNVEIL EMIRA GT4

British Automotive brand Lotus has revealed a competition-spec GT4 version of its new Emira sports car.

Lotus plans to produce a limited number of Emira GT4 race cars for the 2022 season, before increasing production for 2023 in line with global demand.

The development was carried out in collaboration with project partner RML Group, replacing the outgoing Evora GT4 which achieved success in British GT, Dubai 24hrs, Barcelona 24hrs, European GT, Sepang 12hrs and the Pirelli World Challenge.

The roadgoing variant debuted at Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, providing an insight into what to expect from the brand moving forward.

Lightweight composite bodywork and Toyota’s 3.5-litre V6 engine form the foundations of the Emira GT4, along with improved GT4 aerodynamics derived from the road-going Emira’s exterior design.

Lotus Race Programme Manager Richard Selwin was confident in the new racing machine.

“The all-new Emira GT4 is an exciting next step following the hugely successful launch of the Emira road car,” Selwin said.

“We have worked hard with the team at RML Group to ensure this next-generation of Lotus GT car will deliver race-winning performance.”

Lotus’ motorsport roots can be traced back to the Mark I, a trials car hand-built by founder Colin Chapman in 1948.

Since then, the brand has won seven Formula 1 Constructors’ titles, six Drivers’ Championships and the Indianapolis 500.

RML Group Commercial Director Simon Holloway pointed to this history in his endorsement of the collaboration.

“We are delighted to be collaborating with Lotus on the all-new Emira GT4 Concept,” Holloway said.

“Both companies have a long and successful motorsport pedigree, and to bring that together at such an exciting time for Lotus is a welcome validation of our vision and values.”

Integral to the concept’s progression has been former GT championship Lotus driver Gavan Kershaw, who believed the car had the fundamentals of a successful chassis.

“The all-new chassis on which the Emira has been developed is the perfect starting point for a high-performance race car,” Kershaw said.

“Everyone at Lotus is so excited to be returning to world motorsport and to be doing so with such a competitive race car.”

The Lotus Emira GT4 will be officially launched later this year during an event at the Hethel test track in England.

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