Lotus Exige GT3 INFO

Unveiled at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, the Exige GT3 Concept was developed by Lotus Sport, the brand's race car performance division. It is powered by a 271 hp turbocharged unit and it could be produced in limited series.

The Exige GT3 Concept was inspired by Lotus' racing heritage and built on the 2006 British GT3 Championship winning car.

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer for Group Lotus commented: "The car’s racing background becomes immediately obvious from its aggressive stance, extreme width of rear track and innovative threedimensional rear wing."

The Exige GT3 will be competing in the GT race arena in 2007.

A new one-piece front clam-shell with fully masked front wheels and wheel arch venting leads the aerodynamically cleaned silhouette of this car.

A menacing stance is enhanced by the aggressively flared rear wheel arches and aero-efficient three-dimensional rear wing and blended end-plates.

That power is provided by the same charge-cooled supercharged engine that the GT3 race car employs, producing 275PS (271bhp / 203kw) driven through ten inch rear wheels with 255 width tyres making the final connection to the road.

Max speed (257kph / 160mph) and peak torque have been electronically limited.

The end-plate mounted three-dimensional rear wing is highly efficient and fully complements the widened and flattened rear deck shape in reducing the overall drag as well as maintaining front to rear downforce balance.

Suspensions system features 2-way Ohlins adjustable dampers together with Lotus Sport adjustable front stabiliser bar and rear suspension double-shear track control arms.

It is intended that the Lotus Exige GT3 concept road vehicle will be further developed into a full production car for limited markets, to go on sale in late 2007 with an estimated price tag of between £50,000 and £60,000.

Technical features

Engine

The supercharged and intercooled 1796 cc engine has a maximum power output of 275 PS (271 bhp / 203 kw) at 8000 rpm and a torque figure of approximately 258 Nm (190 lb/ft) at 7000 rpm. It features a VVTL-i variable cam system and a roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger (with a sealed-for-life internal mechanism meaning that it does not require the use of the engine’s oil), which is run from the crankshaft and has an integral bypass valve for part load operation.

Four high capacity injectors and an up rated fuel pump add additional fuel under hard acceleration or high speed driving.

An Accusump (engine oil accumulator unit) is included in the whole package as an oil reservoir back-up for extreme track use ensuring that, under those conditions, the engine oil pressure remains constant. Twin oil coolers complete the powertrain package.

Transmission

A sports-type clutch plate and heavy duty clutch cover transfer the engine power and torque to the lightweight aluminium C64 six-speed gearbox. An open type limited slip differential is fitted as standard.

The Lotus switchable traction control system (LTCS) works through the engine, reducing power to maintain traction; it is active above 8 kph (5 mph) and reacts much more quickly than many brake-based systems.

Chassis Structure

Lotus designed lightweight structure of epoxy bonded aluminium alloy extrusions with crash structure, extruded aluminium door beams, integral steel seat-belt support structure and lightweight galvanized steel rear sub frame incorporating a structural shear panel.

Body

The Exige GT3 Concept at Geneva 2007 (Source: Autoblog.com)

GT3 derived one-piece front clamshell and wide track rear clamshell with full length roof scoop design taken from the Cup Exige 255.

New full width rear wing with integral end plates mounting to rear clam. Race style full width front splitter; standard Exige door and body sides retained. Multi element rear diffuser with carbon option.

The 5-spoke forged alloy wheels (front 7Jx16 and rear 10Jx17) are shod with specific Yokohama A048 R LTS tyres (front 195/50 R16 and rear 255/40 R17).

The brake system includes 308 mm diameter 2 piece aluminium belled cross drilled and ventilated front discs and 288 mm diameter cross-drilled and ventilated rear discs.

AP Racing two-piece radially mounted 4 piston calipers at the front and Brembo single sliding piston at the rear.

Suspension

Fully independent suspension utilising unequal length wishbones; Öhlins 2-way adjustable dampers with coil over springs and Lotus Sport adjustable front anti-roll bar. A rear double shear track control arm brace is provided to cope with the expected kerb abuse during heavy track day driving.