Few people would say the Lotus Evija is lacking in performance. It’s meant to make just shy of 2,000 horsepower and is light for an electric carat around 3,700 pounds. But apparently Lotus wants to go further. These spy shots reveal a wild track-only special that’s clearly labeled the Lotus Evija X testing at the Nürburgring.
We’re assuming this X will be substantially lighter than a regular Evija. It has a bare carbon body with seemingly fewer individual pieces. The headlights are gone and so are the rear windows. The interior appears gutted, too.
That carbon body is far from stock, too. It’s much wider and has all manner of downforce-producing add-ons. The front has a massive front splitter and canards and cutouts above the front wheels. The sides even have wide splitters with struts. And the X’s crown aero accessory is that enormous wing that rises well above the roof.
The wide body also encompasses fat slick racing tires that are almost certainly not street legal. They bear the Pirelli P Zero name on the sidewalls, and they’re wrapped around center-lock wheels. AP Racing brakes are tucked inside.
There are of course plenty of questions surrounding the Evija X. It’s definitely a track-only machine, but is it a one-off, or is it going to be sold in extremely limited numbers to select buyers? Maybe Lotus wants to take the Evija racing? Though it seems more like a rules-be-damned type of car like the Pagani Zonda R.
Or maybe the Volkswagen ID.R, the fastest electric car to lap the ‘Ring, would be a closer analogue to the Evija X. The spy photographer that provided these photos said the track was rented out for the day by Lotus, and some sort of notary was on hand, likely to certify a lap time. If Lotus is gunning for an EV lap record there, the Evija R is going to be outrageously fast. The ID.R’s time sits at a shocking 6:05.336. And if the Lotus tops it, it would become the second fastest overall car at the ‘Ring. We’ll definitely be looking forward to more details and an eventual lap time.
Related video:
June 14, 2023 / Comments Off on Lotus Evija X track special appears in spy photos at the Nurburgring
Lego has announced a slew of new Speed Champions sets, the ones based on actual licensed cars, for 2022. The latest batch includes a smorgasbord of supercars, from beloved classics like the Lamborghini Countach to yet-to-be-released promises like the long-awaited Mercedes-AMG One. There are seven cars in total, released in five sets.
Our favorite is probably the 262-piece Lamborghini Countach, based on a later LP500 variant. Not only does it tick the box of a childhood dream machine, but the angular shape of the real-life Countach lends itself well to being recreated in Lego bricks. Also, it’s modeled in white rather than the typical red.
We also really dig the Ferrari 512M. It marked the last of Ferrari’s V12 endurance racers, and even though it was soundly spanked by the Porsche 917, the cars are undeniably beautiful. The 291-piece Lego set does a great job of capturing its brutal wedge silhouette in brick form.
Rounding out the single-car sets is the 247-piece Lotus Evija. The electric Lotus has a bit of a generic supercar look about it, but that’s not entirely the fault of the Lego kit. Its dramatic vents can’t really be replicated with the limited “resolution” of the Lego bricks. Its rear, with unique taillight-encircled air tunnels, is a bit more distinctive.
In addition to the single car sets, there are two larger sets of two cars each. One is a 592-piece Aston Martin-themed pack that includes the Valkyrie AMR Pro and Vantage GT3. Again, it’s a bit difficult to sculpt the cars’ curvaceous lines out of straight-edged bricks, but the effort is admirable. The Valkyrie is probably the more successful of the two, as the Vantage would resemble a Corvette or Viper if it didn’t have stickers to clarify the details.
Last but not least is a twofer comprised of 564 bricks to build the Mercedes-AMG One and seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton’s W12 racer. In Lego’s official product description the driver is not mentioned by name, but the number 44 gives it away. The model of the One indeed looks like a sharp supercar, but the blocky pieces don’t exactly replicate the lines we’ve seen on camouflaged test mules. The F1 car model looks a bit more like the actual thing, complete with the Petronas livery that graces Hamilton’s steed.
While the kits look entertaining, we wouldn’t mind if they didn’t skew so heavily towards unobtainably expensive, limited-production vehicles. What kid wouldn’t want a kit of their parents’ Chrysler Pacifica, a Ford Transit Connect to replicate a city scene, or a Mazda Miata for some clean, honest fun? The single-car sets will retail for $19.99, the two-packs for $39.99. All five sets are scheduled for a March 2022 release.
Related video:
February 1, 2022 / Comments Off on Lamborghini Countach, Ferrari 512M and more immortalized as Lego sets
The long-awaited Lotus Emira was officially launched in early July 2021, with her official, public unveil during the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed, and this last gas-powered Lotus became an instant hit, people were literally lining up to put their order in, or better yet, to just get their name on the ‘pre-order’ list, as you couldn’t even order your Lotus Emira yet, and the ‘pre-order’ list was for RHD models only … but over the weeks after Goodwood FoS things changed, and at the end of September Lotus finally released both full specifications and the MSRP on the Lotus Emira V6 First Edition … a car loaded with technology, infotainment and comfort features.
Lotus plans to start building the Emira V6 First Edition in the spring, while the ‘i4’, the 4 cylinder version arriving in the autumn, pricing in the UK has been fixed at £75,995 while on the other side of the North Sea this new car will set you back €95,995, the US MSRP hasn’t been released yet, but a quick currency exchange leads to somewhere between $105,000 and $115,000 based on the £ and € pricetag.
The Lotus Emira V6 First Edition will come equipped with the supercharged 3.5-Liter V6 engine delivering 400 hp through either the standard six-speed manual or the optional six-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission, for the first year of production the customer has a choice of six colors, but Lotus intends to offer more shades a year later, and the First Edition is packed with options that come as standard, including bespoke badging naturally.
Matt Windle, Managing Director, Lotus Cars, commented: “The Emira is the most accomplished Lotus we’ve ever made, and to celebrate and reward our keenest early customers, we want to make the first cars extra special to own. The features have been carefully selected by our design team to make for a truly special and distinct First Edition.”
Taking the concept started by Elise, Exige, and Evora, the new Lotus Emira is really a giant step into the future, showing the brand signature and core value of the predecessors, but still improve on practicality, comfort, functionality, and technology. The Emira is built on a new lightweight bonded aluminum chassis, pioneered by Lotus and remaining an intrinsic part of their DNA.
This First Edition version comes with diamond-cut 20-inch ultra-lightweight wheels, optionally a silver or a black finish is available at no cost, while Lotus branded calipers are standard fitment too, to keep those expensive wheels safe, there is a TPMS, or Tyre Pressure Monitoring System fitted as First Edition specifications too.
The list of available colors has been deliberately kept very exclussive, from the press launch car in Seneca Blue to Magma Red, Hethel Yellow, Dark Verdant, Shadow Grey, and Nimbus Grey. They all match very nicely with the titanium exhaust and the Lower Black package that includes a gloss black finish on the air blades in the front bumper, front splitter, side sills, and the rear diffuser.
While the exterior is limited to six paint colors, you can choose from seven different shades on the interior, red, black, grey, tan when going for Nappa leather, or black Alcantara with either red, yellow, or grey stitching on the 12-way adjustable, heated seats that even come with a memory setting, that also includes the door mirrors.
Lotus wants to offer a very comfortable ride in their new Emira, so this car comes complete with climate control, cruise control, keyless start and selectable drive modes, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto while an integrated satellite navigation system is available on most markets, all available through a 10.25-inch centrally mounted touch-screen and a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster ahead of the multi-function steering wheel.
Apart from the Lower Black Pack, you’ll get three more packs as standard on these First Edition models, the Drivers Pack offers a choice between Tour or Sport suspension with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tires, or Sport suspension with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, the Design Pack comes with dark tinted glass, sports pedals and painted brake calipers in either black, red, yellow, or silver, and just so you don’t scratch those beautiful bumpers, the Convenience pack adds parking sensors to the front and a camera to the rear among other things.
Just in case, there are still a few options left to tick on that order sheet, but those will come on top of the base price for these Emira V6 First Edition models, like the £1,800 automatic transmission, or the Black Pack which contrasts the roof, cantrails, mirror housings, the Lotus badge and the exhaust tips for £1,200 only.
As already mentioned, production of the Emira V6 First Edition will start in the spring of 2022, while the 4-cylinder version will follow in the autumn of 2022, if you are looking to add a more base-level Lotus Emira to your driveway you’ll have to be patient until 2023 when they intend to release a £59,995 entry-level version with fewer options.
September 20, 2021 / Comments Off on The Lotus Emira V6 First Edition
Not too long ago we’ve witnessed the dynamic launch of Lotus’s last ever ICE model, the Emira will go into history as the final Lotus to come with an internal combustion engine, the car was officially unveiled 48 hours before the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed opened its doors, which was the first time we could enjoy the Lotus Emira at speed for the Hill Climb event.
To make the Lotus Emira even more attractive, clients can choose between a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 pumping out about 400hp or opt for a more economical turbocharged inline-4 from AMG with 360hp, both can be ordered with a 6-speed automatic transmission or a more engaging 6-speed manual with Torsen type limited-slip differential, but obtaining one might be challenging as sales only started in September before that, clients were asked a ‘reservation’ fee of £2,000 ($2,800) to secure their spot on the list for an RHD model, keep in mind the Emira is the first Lotus new model in almost 10 years, and it will be the final petrol-powered Lotus ever, all for about £60,000 ($83,000).
And now Lotus, with help from RML Groups unveils the next step … the Emira GT4 race car following a recent partnership with Extreme E racing team JBXE, after more than 70 years of innovation both on the track and on the open road, the Emira GT4 is the start of a new era in GT racing for Lotus, albeit still a concept, the Emira GT4 will become a hand-built, competition-spec GT4 race car to continue the Lotus motorsport story.
This new car will replace the Lotus Evora GT4 to compete in the British GT, Dubai 24hrs, Barcelona 24hrs, European GT, Sepang 12hrs, and the Pirelli World Challenge to continue the legacy, as just about every modern Lotus road car had a competition counterpart, so the Emira only continues on a path set by her predecessors a long time ago, clients that want to race the Emira GT4 will receive a hand-built performance car with full homologations, lightweight track components and all required equipment to comply with safety regulations on the track.
The Lotus Emira GT4 will be fitted with the 3.5-Liter V6 Toyota engine that has proven its worth in racing already, combine that with the composite body in an advanced GT4 aerodynamics design, this lightweight, but powerful new Lotus GT4 will be very competitive on the track.
Richard Selwin, Race Programme Manager, Lotus, commented: “The all-new Emira GT4 is an exciting next step following the hugely successful launch of the Emira road car. We have worked hard with the team at RML Group to ensure this next-generation of Lotus GT car will deliver race-winning performance.”
The new Lotus Emira GT4 will be officially launched during a special event at the Hethel test track, a famous 2.2-mile circuit that has been witness to the development of some of the world’s most famous race cars, and let’s not forget Lotus Engineering, which is the consultancy division of the business, became a technical partner to JBXE, the Extreme E race team led by F1 world champion Jenson Button.
There will be a very limited number of Lotus Emira GT4 built for the 2022 racing season, with the aim to really start building larger numbers of this new Lotus race car for the 2023 championship rounds, interested in adding this Emira GT4 to your race team? In that case, you should get in touch with the Lotus motorsport department to secure one as soon as possible.
Lotus Emira GT4 tech spec and target performance data
Engine
Toyota V6 2GR-FE
Cubic Capacity
3.5-litres
Power
400bhp*
RPM
7,200rpm
Supercharger
Harrop TVS 1900
Transmission
6-speed xTrac with paddleshift + limited slip differential
Fuel cell capacity
96-litres FIA-approved fuel cell
Electronics
Motec-supplied dashboard with data-logging + bespoke motorsport loom
Suspension
Front and rear double-wishbone / Öhlins coil-over dampers / anti-roll bars
Brakes
Alcon discs and calipers + Bosch Motorsport ABS
Tyres
Pirelli GT4 265/645×18 (front) and 305/680×18 (rear)
Safety equipment
FIA-compliant roll cage, six-point harness and fire extinguisher
Dimensions
Length 4,410mm / height 1,290mm / track 1,664mm
Dry weight
1,260kg
September 10, 2021 / Comments Off on The Lotus Emira GT4
Radford revealed its Type 62-2 a month ago, and today the coach-building company is releasing its first 62-2 variant. It’s simply called the JPS, short for John Player Special. You’d be able to guess that just by looking at the car, though, as it’s completely done up in the traditional John Player Special black and gold livery.
This JPS Type 62-2 isn’t just a livery either. It’s the most extreme version of the car, even more so than the Gold Leaf version of the standard Radford that improves matters over the “Classic” model. Engine output sees a sharp turn upwards from 500 horsepower to 600 horsepower in the JPS. It’s still using the 3.5-liter supercharged V6 you’d find in the Lotus Evora (an engine Lotus borrows from Toyota), but this one is heavily modified. Radford says it uses upgraded pistons, new connecting rods, camshafts and an upgraded supercharger. Plus, it’s running a more aggressive engine calibration.
Hauling it to a stop are upgraded brakes — Radford uses carbon ceramic rotors and AP calipers. New and larger carbon composite wheels (18-inch front and 19-inch rear) from Dymag are fitted and wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.
Plenty of appearance and aero changes are made to separate the JPS from the other Type 62-2s. Radford says it’s either lightly massaged or made big changes to every area of the bodywork. You’ll notice a giant new splitter up front, larger side air intakes to cool the more powerful engine and a more extreme diffuser in back to produce more downforce. We’ll also note that the JPS “livery” is not a sticker package; it’s all painted on, requiring hours and hours of work by hand.
Pricing for the JPS hasn’t been revealed, but it’s guaranteed to be expensive. This special model will be sliced out of the total production of Type 62-2s. Only 12 of the 62 total cars will be the John Player Special cars, so they’ll be incredibly rare — Radford says it’s currently taking build slot applications, so you still have a shot at buying one. If you want to see the JPS in person, Radford says it will be on display at this year’s Goodwood Revival.
Related video:
September 8, 2021 / Comments Off on Radford Type 62-2 John Player Special takes the coach-built sports car even higher
Lotus Cars, famous for the names of everything they make starting with the letter E, and for making some of the best handling sportscars in the world, just went all-in on EVs. Not one, not, two, but a full four more Lotus EV’s will be coming in the next 5 years, after the Lotus Evija hypercar proved that Lotus has some serious credibility in the electric market.
The 2022 Lotus Evija hypercar
In a press release on August 31, 2021, the very not-starting-with-an-E “Type 132” SUV has been announced as arriving next year. In 2023, a “four-door coupe” Type 133 will arrive, followed by a smaller SUV in 2025 named, you guessed it, the Type 134.
The last new EV is probably going to be the most exciting, the Type 135, as it will be a small, light-as-possible two-door sports car that Lotus knows how to make so very well. It will also be the “trickle-down” recipient of all the lessons learned while making the Evija, meaning it should be one hell of a car.
From left to right: The Evija, the Type 132 SUV, Type 133 four-door coupe, Type 134 mini-SUV/CUV, and the Type 135 two-door sports car
This all-in on electric is being supported by the establishment of a new technology and development center in Wuhan, China, which when completed will become the new Lotus Technology HQ (the header picture for this article). Notably, Lotus is owned by Geely (more properly known as Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd), who also own Volvo (who have the Polestar EV brand) and a few other car brands that serve the European and Asian continents with hybrids (Lync & Co, Proton) and EVs (Geely Cars).
The planned Lotus Technology Manufacturing Facility. The Lotus Proving Grounds are to the right of the main buildings, with the “Start line” beside the small water feature
Accompanying this new tech center will be a dedicated EV manufacturing plant, also located in Wuhan. There will also be a 16 turn proving grounds track directly attached to the factory for rapid prototyping of new technologies, and is one of the first in the world that is being designed to provide feedback and data regarding autonomous driving modes for electric vehicles. Adding to the green push by Lotus and other manufacturers in recent years, all charging of test cars and prototypes at the factory will be done via renewable sources, including solar panels installed on the factory grounds, hydro, and wind farms.
The last time a company went all-in on EV and pulled it off was with Audi, who launched the unofficial “Green Promise” by announcing in 2019 that all of their cars, in the next generation across all their model lines, will be electric. They’ve already started with the E-Tron GT as they phase out the R8 supercar, and with Lotus tossing their hat in the ring, we can’t wait to see the Lotus Type 135 vs its Audi competitor in 5 years’ time!
September 1, 2021 / Comments Off on Lotus Just Announced Their Future EV Plans
You’re just a quick Google search away from discovering that there are A LOT of mind-blowingly-expensive cars out there. Take your pick from any variation of search terms like “most expensive cars in the world”, “highest price paid for an automobile” or “most valuable cars ever made”, and be prepared for results that will probably surprise you; a list of cars that is more diverse and extensive than you’re probably thinking right now.
It’s no longer uncommon to see automobiles being sold for well into the tens-of-millions, with auction sales – particularly for classic cars – skewing prices upwards into the stratosphere. Our list is focused on cars that can still be bought from the manufacturer brand new, either as a new build or right off the showroom floor (no auctions or older cars). We’ve gone ahead and done the work of filtering candidates from this interestingly vast pool of cars, using further criteria (outlined below) which allows us to whittle the shortlist down to ‘just’ 20 multi-million-dollar cars.
Still for sale or not explicitly declared by the producer as being discontinued
Well beyond the concept phase (i.e. it’s actually going into production, if not yet already)
While it’s totally expected that all of these cars will be built in extremely limited quantities, one-off models are not included
Even with all of these filters in place, compiling this list still presented some challenges. Given these cars’ limitless and bespoke customization options – in addition to limited-edition trims and special packages – actual prices can have little to no bounds. So, we go on the best information that’s out there with regards to “starting prices”, which manufacturers aren’t shy to asterisk as being “estimates” or “uh…we’ll tell you sometime after we get your down payment”. Everyone’s usually fine with this arrangement – that’s just how things work at this level of the game.
Prices can even change drastically throughout the production process (and from as early as the concept phase) as automakers and customers encounter their own boons and obstacles – it’s amazing for example, how much currency exchange rates are at play when it comes to determining the final MSRP. Things like this may notably increase or even decrease previously marketed prices. Ultimately, $2.0 Million (USD) ended up being the baseline for entry onto this list. We tried to include a wider range of “supercars”, but at this stage our hand was forced to declare this as a hypercar-only space. That’s how crazy things have become, but I digress…
Hypercars are the new zenith in today’s automotive landscape, transcending the boundaries of the supercar to create a space occupied only by the most outlandish things that can still be called cars. While some of the relatively larger luxury and exotic car companies have created their own interpretations of the hypercar, many of these vehicles have been crafted by specialty automotive boutiques or singular-focused companies who are looking to showcase new technologies or smash land speed records. It is these very outfits that we will be focusing on, in this list of hypercars that are available to purchase in 2021. In terms of the everyday automobile, none of these will be household names; but they will be more than familiar to those who worship the automotive deities.
Bentley Bacalar – $2.0 Million
So what’s the most expensive, modern-day Bentley money can buy? That would have to be the $2,000,000 Bentley Bacalar, a two-seater, convertible luxury sports car that comes with the famous W12 engine and uses 5,000-year-old wood for its interior trim. While its engine is the evergreen W12 6.0L TSI unit that has been around since 2003, it has been further enhanced for the Bacalar to offer the smoothest ride possible, and still provide a massive 650 hp and 900 Nm of torque. Despite being closely related to the Continental GT, Bentley still had to produce over 750 custom parts for this car even though they only plan on releasing just twelve units to the public. While not normally considered a ‘hypercar’ marque, this particular Bentley however, certainly checks all the right boxes.
Ferrari Monza SP1 & SP2 – $2.0 Million
Both the Monza SP1 and SP2 are based on the Ferrari 812 Superfast and come with a 6.5LV12 engine with 810 hp sent to the rear wheels. An aluminum chassis and carbon fiber body make for a lightweight car with an absurd power-to-weight ratio. Expect a sub-3-second sprint from standstill to 60 mph, and scintillating 7.9 seconds to get up to 125 mph. Top speed will be around 186 mph. The primary difference between the two models is that the SP1 is a single seater, while the SP2 is a two-seater, with each configuration also impacting other elements of the car. The Monza SP1 has a tonneau cover, while the SP2 gets rid of the cover to make room for the second passenger. There is small windscreen and a second roll bar hoop in the SP2, which further differentiates the two designs from one another. We don’t think these cars will be approved for road use, so expect them to be track-day-only machines. Furthermore, only a maximum of 500 examples will be produced.
Lotus Evija – $2.1 Million
Lotus has been hyping their new fully-electric automobile, going as far as saying that the Evija will be a “mind-blowing supercar”. The car features two electric motors which output its outrageous 2,000 hp. The battery is placed in the middle of the car where a typical internal combustion mid-engine car would have its beating heart, helping it to achieve an ideal weight distribution. Lotus sought to strike the perfect balance between a track car and a road car, and that extends to the cabin – a minimalist, driver-focused interior design but with plenty of the comfort and convenience features you’d expect in a civil grand tourer. The Lotus Evija has been named as ‘The One to Watch‘ in Top Gear’s 2021 Electric Awards .
McLaren Speedtail – $2.3 Million
Meet the new Speedtail – an aptly-named addition to McLaren’s UltimateSeries of automobiles. This limited-edition car – of which only 106 examples will be built – represents McLaren’s unyielding pursuit of maximum top-speed. Whereas other McLaren’s blend handling, acceleration, and driving dynamics in a harmonious package, the Speedtail has a more singular focus. That focus is speed; ludicrous amounts of it. McLaren has labeled the Speedtail a Hyper GT, which seems fitting given the excess of the car and its abilities. This 1,055 hp car will take you to 250 mph, and then to the Opera, on the same set of tires (to paraphrase McLaren spokesperson, Wayne Bruce). More than that, the Speedtail is a car that reminds us that the automotive world serves to inspire and excite us, as much as it does in moving us from one place to the next. Though, in the case of the Speedtail, it moves us unlike anything else out there.
Rimac Nevera – $2.4 Million
Although it is not the first EV to be powered by 4 permanent magnet electric motors, the Rimac Nevera does come with its own unique electric drivetrain design. By strategically placing a pair of 200 kW electric motors in front and another two 500 kW electric motors in the rear, the engineers were able to give the rear-biased Nevera an ideal 48:52 (front:rear) weight distribution. It’s probably a good thing that this Rimac was built with a predisposition to exhibit ballet-like agility, because it’s going to need all the grace in the world to tame all that’s brewing within. In combination, all of the 4 electric motors can generate up to 1,914 hp (1.4 mW) and 1,740 lb-ft of torque (2,360 Nm). This allows the Nevera to absolutely annihilate the popular 0-60 mph benchmark in just 1.85 seconds, with an equally impressive 1/4 mile time of just 8.6 seconds – good enough to make it the fastest production vehicle ever made, by some margin. Top speed is stated as 258 mph (412 km/h).
Pininfarina Battista – $2.5 Million
I doubt that anyone would be offended – least of all, Pininfarina – if the Battista was mistaken as ‘just another’ one of Ferrari’s super cars. Afterall, the design elements are deliberately signature from the company; and that’s really the best part of it all. Beneath the silhouette lies something less familiar – the absence a typically mid-mounted combustion engine, for one. The Ferrari…. I mean…. Pininfarina Battista is fully-electric, and beyond that very notion, things only start to get even more crazy. The Battista utilizes 4 motors – one for each wheel – which produce a combined 1,900 hp and 1696 ft-lb of torque. That level of performance and technological sophistication won’t come cheap either, with each car priced at around $2.5 million USD. The decision by Automobili Pininfarina to start producing electric cars right off the bat came relatively easy for the company, which was not tied down by a past involving the combustion engine – they could begin their journey with a clean (no pun intended) slate.
Mercedes-AMG Project One – $2.7 Million
After months of teasing and speculation, Mercedes-AMG has officially unveiled the world’s first road legal car equipped with a Formula 1 powertrain – the 1,000 hp Project One. Its 4-digit power output comes from an improved version of the hybrid system found inside the W08 F1 car, which also includes a turbocharged 1.6L V6 engine and four electric motors. The two front electric motors on the Project One are of the latest and greatest technologies available, with each unit being capable of revving up to 50,000 rpm and producing 160 hp on their own. The third electric motor is integrated into the turbocharger, while the fourth is mounted directly on the car’s combustion engine, producing another 120 hp of the Project One’s total power output of “beyond 1,000 hp”. Mercedes-AMG has also claimed that the turbo lag on the Project One is not only eliminated in this setup, but the response times should now be shorter than those cars powered by a naturally-aspirated V8.
Koenigsegg Jesko – $2.8 Million
The Koenigsegg Jesko was unveiled at the most recent Geneva Motor Show to date – the 2019 edition – drawing a lot of attention in Switzerland when the covers came off. This was a brutal looking car in true Koenigsegg tradition; with a claimed top speed of 300 mph, from what they claim is their lightest and most powerful 5.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine yet. Numbers like 1,600 hp on E85 biofuel and 1,280 on regular gasoline were mentioned, along with a maximum torque of 1,106 lb-ft requiring a special 9-speed multi-clutch gearbox built in-house by Koenigsegg. At 170 mph, the aerodynamic design of the Jesko with its massive rear wing at play, creates 2,200 lbs of downforce … at its top speed, this number increases to more than 3,000 lbs of downforce!
Bugatti Chiron $2.9 Million
With a name honoring Louis Chiron – Bugatti’s Grand Prix driver in the 20s and 30s, who swept up virtually all the major races he participated in – the stakes were always going to be raised even higher. Operating beyond the known best-standard in any field is incredibly tough; new battle lines had to be drawn. Alongside the pre-marketing activity, which led to those hundreds of names on the pre-order list, Bugatti tested the Chiron extensively across several continents. This was to ensure that whatever the conditions, it was head and shoulders above the competition. The 8.0L W16 from the Veyron is no bad place to start from any perspective; that engine had no shortage of power, producing 1183 hp in ‘SuperSports’ configuration – at launch, the fastest production car in the world. With the Chiron, Bugatti has built upon that blueprint and founded an entirely new platform – one which has seen extensive improvements in all areas over its predecessor. It is stunning, it is capable, and it has the price tag to match. The “base” Chiron is still a monster.
GMA T.50 $3.0 Million
As impressive as a 12,100 rpm redline sounds, its 654 hp and 345 lb-ft of torque doesn’t sound extraordinary by today’s standards. But rest assured this engine, and this car, are on the cusp of a truly “redefining” moment in automotive history. Crucially weighing at just 178 kg, the engine plays a huge factor towards the T.50’s overall curb weight of just 980 kg – about one-third that of a contemporary supercar or hypercar. The GMA T.50 is the culmination of decades of Gordon Murray’s aerodynamic and mechanical engineering experience. Part of what makes the T.50 so exciting, is that it incorporates the design and function of the infamous Brabham BT46 “Fan Car.” A gigantic fan – powered by the camshaft of the engine and coupled with the curved underbody of the BT46 – created an active venturi effect that quite literally vacuumed the car onto the road, and allowed it to corner at barely believable speeds and levels of grip. The T.50 will feature something similar, and likely more advanced. On a road car. We can’t wait to see this in the flesh.
Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro – $3.1 Million
The new Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro isn’t just another version of the original Aston Martin Valkyrie with some added aerodynamic parts. They’ve also increased the wheelbase of the original chassis by 380 mm, and added 96 mm and 115 mm to the front and rear track width respectively. These changes effectively lengthen the entire car by 266 mm, essentially making it a ‘longtail’ version, as their rivals McLaren would call it. The Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro still uses the same Cosworth-built naturally-aspirated V12 engine with a 6.5L displacement – but now with 1,000 hp available at a screaming 11,000 rpm. Significant weight has been shed on the Valkyrie AMR Pro by removing the entire hybrid system, using an extremely light carbon fiber body, and incorporating carbon fiber suspension components. Thanks to its aerodynamic efficiency, the Valkyrie AMR Pro offers track performance previously only seen on Formula One cars.
W Motors Lykan Hypersport – $3.4 Million
This list just wouldn’t be complete without a car that had a starring role in the Fast and Furious Movie franchise, or would it? Well, here is one such car – the W Motors Lykan Hypersport. After its World Premiere launch at the International Qatar Motor Show on July 28th 2013, W Motors revealed to the world its first model, the Lykan HyperSport limited to only 7 units worldwide. Over 150,000 visitors attended this event with the presence of regional and international media covering this historical event for a global exposure and coverage. Other than having some legit Hollywood cred, the car is also famous for being the first to feature a holographic display system with interactive motion, giving the driver and passenger full interaction with the multimedia interface of the Lykan as well as other vehicle control systems. So the car is hardly new; but according to the W Motors website, they’re still open for business and are keen to take on new orders.
Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut – $3.4 Million
About a year later Koenigsegg unveiled the Jesko, they had something even more impressive on tap – the Jesko Absolut. While the ‘regular’ Jesko is more of a track-focused machine with balanced attributes and extensive aerodynamics, the Absolut was built to smash all top speed records. It has been designed to be as smooth as possible, with the least possible amount of drag – a coefficient value of only 0.278 Cd has been achieved, allowing for a top speed in excess of 330 mph (532 km/h), figures which would certainly fulfill its purpose. The first of these $3,000,000-ish hypercars are ‘Made in Sweden’ and will be delivered to their fortunate customers by the spring of 2022. I’m really curious as to what special color combinations we’ll be seeing for the builds, and just how split the numbers will be between the Jesko and Jesko Absolut; will more customers opt for the brutal, race-inspired-LeMans-style of the Jesko, or will the Absolut woo over more customers with her sleeker lines and higher top speed?
McLaren Sabre -$3.5 Million
McLaren’s Special Operations bespoke division has produced 15 cars exclusively for the US market. The first McLaren Sabre has already been delivered by McLaren Beverly Hills, with the company stating that the Sabre has “ideas and innovations that global homologation would not permit.” – this probably explains why it’s only available to customers west of the Atlantic. The McLaren Sabre is powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 engine which produces 824 hp and 590 ft-lb torque (with a top speed of 218 mph), which happens to make it the most powerful non-hybrid engine to date. Every example of the Sabre has been built specially for each customer, all of whom were intimately involved during the development and assembly process. In terms of looks, the Sabre could best be described as if the McLaren Speedtail and Senna had a child – with such good genes to draw from, that ultimately serves as a compliment. McLaren is not sharing any other specifications at this time, but we’ll probably get to know more as the other 14 cars get delivered in the coming months.
Pagani Huayra Roadster BC – $3.5 Million
If you like your hypercars over-the-top and amazing, then the Huayra Roadster BC is for you. We’ve reported on this car before – now it’s officially here. The car is a $3.5 Million machine with a crazy powerful engine and looks that will catch the eye of anyone. Pagani recently revealed the car, and it’s a stunning example of what makes them so special as an automaker. The Huayra Roadster BC features a 6.0L AMG V12 which is good for a whopping 800 hp and 774 lb-ft of torque, making the Roadster BC is more powerful than the coupe version. It weighs only 2,685 pounds and should be good for a 0-60 mph run in under 2.5 seconds. However, what the Roadster BC was truly designed for, was to conquer the twisty roads and race tracks. Pagani says the car can pull 1.9 Gs of max lateral force in corners. The company will make only 40 of the Roadster BC, and the car made its first official appearance during Monterey Car Week.
Lamborghini Sián – $3.6 Million
The original Sián introduced the concept of a naturally-aspirated V12 engine with a mild hybrid electric motor built into the transmission to boost performance. Unlike other hybrids that came before it, the electric motor provides only 34 HP and instead of a battery pack, uses a regenerative supercapacitor instead. With the newfangled hybrid system and the revamped 6.5L V12 engine, the car is able to do a 0-62 mph sprint in just 2.8 seconds along with a top speed of over 217 mph. The regenerative braking has the ability to fully recharge the supercapacitor in full, adding to the electric motor’s capability to assist the engine at speeds under 80 mph. Compared to an EV battery which takes much, much, longer to fully recharge, and weighs substantially more, you might be wondering why supercapacitors aren’t the dominating technology in electric or hybrid vehicles today. Well, there are a few very important reasons for this. By nature, supercapacitors aren’t able to store energy for long periods of time like a battery, making them unviable to be the primary food source for an electric vehicle – at least for now.
Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport – $3.6 Million
Usually, Europe is the most important market for Bugatti, but for the first time in history, during the first six months of 2021, the leading region has been taken over by the United States of America, with an immense interest in the impressive Bugatti Chiron, and more specifically the very special Pur Sport, a model that focusses on agility and acceleration instead of all-out top speed. Even 24 Hour of Le Mans class winner and longtime Bugatti test driver Butch Leitzinger was impressed with the Chiron Pur Sport during extended testing in Southern California, he stated: “The seamless marriage of agility and brute force give the Pur Sport abilities that are unmatched, not only by any other car, but also by any other Bugatti.”, so despite the price tag in the $4,000,000 region, there are more customers than ever willing to park the Chiron in their garage. There will be only 60 units built for the entire world.
Bugatti Divo – $5.8 Million
For starters, the Bugatti Divo is based on the Bugatti Chiron, and is certainly no less over-the-top. The Divo shares most of the important mechanical features with the Chiron; most notably the same quad-turbocharged 8.0L W16 engine which produces an extravagant 1,500 horsepower. According to Bugatti President, Stephan Winkelmann, the goal of the Divo is to be “the most agile and dynamic car Bugatti has ever created – a perfect homage for the 110th anniversary, which will be held in 2019”. In order to achieve this, many changes to the Chiron were made to its bodywork and chassis to amp up its aerodynamic efficiency and handling. Such drastic changes ensured that the Divo and Chiron are easily distinguishable, visually. Overall the Divo also has sharper angles and more aggressive looking body lines, with the horseshoe shaped grill, centre line running over the top of the car, and scoop-shaped doors being the only truly pronounced Bugatti features. “Happiness Isn’t Just Around The Corner. It Is The Corner.” – The Bugatti Divo.
Bugatti Centodieci – $9.0 Million
The Bugatti Centodieci is the brand’s homage to one of its most iconic supercars of all time – the Bugatti EB110. Images of the Centodieci were leaked ahead of its launch and many rumors had spread before the reveal. Despite this, the car is undeniably impressive and a force to be reckoned with when compared to any car ever produced. With sleek EB110-inspired looks, Bugatti did a good job of making the car look like an homage to the old supercar, while still giving it modern appeal. It might be built upon the Chiron platform, but there’s no question that this vehicle is much more than the car it’s loosely based on. After all, it shares the same engine with the Chiron, but in the Centodieci, it makes quite a bit more power with 1,578 hp on tap. The car is also 44 pounds lighter than the Chiron and will complete the 0-60 mph sprint in just 2.4 seconds, on its way up to 124 mph in as little as 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 236 mph. In short, the Centodieci appears to be a near-perfect blend of the Chiron and EB110, with a few of its own unique design elements to set it apart from both of those cars.
August 10, 2021 / Comments Off on 20 Most Expensive Hypercars On Sale Today
The Lotus Emira, the last fuel-burning car from Lotus made its dynamic debut during the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK a few weeks ago, this time it’s the US introduction of this amazing car to be held during Monterey Car Week in California. The main event for Lotus will occur at The Quail: A Motorsport Gathering, while the Emira will make her dynamic debut at the legendary Laguna Seca Raceway for a very special celebrity track day.
But it will be the all-electric hypercar from Lotus, the Evija, to take center stage in California in a brand new color scheme of yellow with accents, inspired by the iconic Lotus Type 99T that competed in the 1987 Formula One championship with none other than Ayrton Senna behind the wheel, taking the victory at the 1987 Detroit Grand Prix.
This will not be the first time the Lotus Evija is shown during Monterey Car Week, a few weeks after being unveiled back in July 2019, the first event of the world tour the Evija undertook in 2019 was the California Car Week, after that this prototype was taken all over the world, from Japan to China and later on to the Middle East.
For this 2021 stint to the United States, the Lotus Evija had a jam-packed agenda even before heading to Monterey, this new all-electric supercar also attended the world premiere of the Radford 62-2 at the Lyon Air Museum, Santa Ana, the Radford 62-2 is limited to just 62 examples, and is a recreation of the Lotus Type 62 built using current Lotus technology.
Before taking center stage at The Quail: A Motorsport Gathering at Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel Valley, the bright yellow Lotus Evija will be admired during private VIP events for those that have already put down money to obtain this 2,000 PS supercar and to gather even more possible clients for this amazing car.
August 10, 2021 / Comments Off on Lotus comes to Monterey Car Week
There are many cars out there in the world that are deemed to be “classic cars,” from restored and Concours d’Elegance-level original 1930’s Fords, to modified mid-1960s Austin Healey’s and Lotuses. While all of these cars are classic in their own ways, there are several tiers of classics that are becoming the must-have items on the auction blocks around the world: the classic supercar.
So, what defines a supercar from before the 1980s, when the term was invoked for the Porsche 959 and Ferrari F40? Aggregating what most experts say about the subject, three major factors determine what is a classic supercar.
Rarity
While the original Ford Shelby GT350 Fastback is a prime example of a beautiful classic, it doesn’t count as much towards the rarity count as there were tens of thousands of the car made. However, another car that Carroll Shelby helped design is certainly valid for the rarity scale, the road homologation versions of the Ford GT40, of which only 105 were made.
Power at the Time of Production
To make this clear, we’re counting power as a combination of raw HP and torque, as well as the speeds that the car could reach. Using the Mk II and Mk III versions of the aforementioned GT40, power was from a Ford 427 V8 and reached a nominal 485 HP. The car also topped out at 201 MPH. This was faster than anything anyone was able to pump out for a homologation road car in 1965.
Value/Pedigree
To realistically be considered a supercar, the car in question must have some intrinsic value to it. It may be because it was the most expensive car on the market at the time, or was a demonstration of racing technology for the road, and had a racing pedigree that made it famous. As well, most of the cars that are considered classic supercars have appreciated in value over the years after the standard depreciation most vehicles undergo.
With this in mind, we can look back only a short way back to the mid-2010s to find a couple of classic supercars. One is the most expensive classic supercar, ever, to be sold at auction. The other is an American limited edition of a car with pedigree and history behind its marque.
The 1962 to 1964 Ferrari 250 GTO
In the opinion of many, the Ferrari 250 GTO is one of the, if not the, most beautiful cars ever made. Seductive curves, the classic long hood, short tail grand touring body, and one of the best V12 engines ever put in a metal body with four wheels. While there were many 250 GT’s made and sold, there were only 36 250 GTO’s… ever.
The history behind the car also adds to its overall value. Using the 250 GT SWB as a base, the Ferrari racing department got to work modifying the car to be able to enter the FIA Group 3 Grand Touring Car championship. Part of the regulations stated that at least 25 road-going versions needed to be homologated so that the race car could be certified as being based on a road-going GT.
Thus was born the GTO nameplate, which stands for Gran Turismo Omologato, or Grand Touring Homologated. Powered by the now legendary Tipo 158/62 3.0L Colombo V12, the lightweight GTO produced a respectable 296 HP and 217 lb-ft of torque. And Ferrari meant lightweight, with the body shell being made entirely out of aluminum, with a hollow oval steel chassis frame. With the engine in and all fluids topped, the 250 GTO weighed only 2,000 lbs.
This, of course, made it ridiculously fast for the day. In fact, during the very first race outing of a 1962 250 GTO, in the 1962 12 Hours of Sebring, the car, driven by Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien, came in second overall. The pedigree of the car was secured overnight, and it soon became the hot item for the wealthy of the world to drive.
However, this proved to be a bit of a problem for 99% of the wealthy, as to be allowed to buy the car, you needed to be approved by Enzo Ferrari himself. The $18,000 USD asking price was really a bit of an afterthought (equivalent to $160,000 USD in 2021), but you had to sit down with Il Commendatore himself, look him in the eye, and explain why you wanted to buy the car. If he didn’t like your reasons, you didn’t get the car.
Immediately, all three of the determining factors to name the 250 GTO a classic supercar are instantly met. It is extremely rare, it established its pedigree in the very first race it entered, and it was immensely fast with a glorious V12 3.0L engine. Of the original 36 cars, 33 were what is known as Series I, the classic, well-known body shape. Only the last 3, after redesigns of the 250 GTO to make it competitive for the 1964 Le Mans race, were given the scalloped rear window and dropped trunk, known as the LM or Series II body.
A combination of its timeless beauty, racing pedigree, and the purchase process has made the car one of the most highly sought-after classic supercars of all time. In 2012, a 1963 250 GTO went across the block at $35 million USD, and a scant 5 years later, one of the first chassis made in 1962 crossed the Sotheby’s of London block for $48 million USD.
However, in 2018, at 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO, chassis number 4153GT, changed hands privately for $70 million USD. This specific chassis was actually raced, taking part in the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans where it finished fourth, and the 1964 Tour de France road race, where it won outright. It was also, at the time, owned by the Marquis Philippe de Montaigu, a very wealthy and popular gentleman racer.
1963 Ferrari 250 GTO Series I chassis #4153GT
Out of interest, and to give an idea of what kind of protection you would need to insure such a classic car, we contacted American Collectors Insurance, a specialist in classic supercars, collectibles, and heirloom level insurance. Following their guidelines of needing the car to be stored in a temperature-stable garage, only driven a few times a year to a Concours or such, and based on the average $50 to $70 million USD assessed value of the car, the average owner of a 250 GTO would be paying about $250,000 to $300,000 per year.
Yet, if you have the $50 to $70 million to afford the auction price of a 250 GTO, that is almost pocket change.
The 2017 Corvette Grand Sport Collector Edition
Now, before you point out that this car is way too recent to be a classic supercar, hear us out. The 2017 Corvette C7 Grand Sport Collector Edition ticks off all three of the boxes required to be labeled as such. At the time of its introduction, the Collector Edition was the most expensive Corvette released by Chevrolet, often starting at $90,000 despite an official MSRP of $81.185 for the Coupe Manual version.
It is a limited series, with only 935 made, and has a special VIN code that was assigned to it. Any Grand Sport Collector Edition has a VIN that ends in 530XXXX, where XXXX is the sequence it left the production line. It also is an auction superstar, as the original Chassis #0001 was auctioned off in the 2016 Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction for $170,000. The final car, Chassis #0935, was not sold to anyone but given to the Corvette Museum.
And it has pedigree, as this specific version of the C7 Grand Sport was made to celebrate recent successes of the C6.R and C7.R in both North American and international racing events. With the production code Z25, it included a lot of exclusive features, including a special paint (Watkins Glen Gray) with Tension Blue hash marks over the front wheels. It also had a two-tone Tension Blue leather interior.
It received all of the carbon fiber options that could be added to a non-Collector Edition Grand Sport, as well as a special carbon fiber flash badge and carbon-fiber instrument panel. As standard, the Z07 performance package was included, with carbon fiber ground effects and aerodynamic parts added. It could be ordered as either a coupe or convertible and the 3LT package was also a standard feature.
What also made the 2017 Grand Sport Collector Edition special is that it was in 2017 that Chevrolet revealed that the next Corvette, the C8, would be mid-engined, not front-engined. This meant that many “purists” wanted to get in on the best version of the Grand Sport. It carried the same LT1 V8 engine as the base Grand Sport, producing a nominal 460 HP, but the special cosmetic and aerodynamic features made it worth pursuing in the view of many.
These days, if you look at auction listings, you will often find that if a 2017 Corvette C7 Grand Sport comes up, they usually sell between $40,000 and $65,000, depending on condition, miles, history, et al. If a Collector Edition comes up, however, you will often find that price exceeding $100,000, as year over year the waitlist for a Corvette C8 grows longer. This is driving collectors to desire one of the best versions of the C7 to both have a Corvette, as well as have a front-engine, rear-drive Corvette with a factory standard electronically controlled limited-slip differential and the Z07 performance package.
Unlike many classics, however, the Collector Edition is still a viable, driveable modern supercar, and can be insured as such. However, with those looking to have low mile versions, with few if any modifications, they are also able to be registered as classics, with collector plates and insurance premiums to match. Again asking our friends at American Collectors Insurance, you would be looking at a much more reasonable $7,000 to $10,000 per year if registered as a classic collector car.
The Future Of Classic Supercars
While we have two prime examples of a truly awesome collector’s prize in the 250 GTO, and an attainable, if a bit pricey, auction superstar in the Corvette C7 Grand Sport Collector Edition, the future of collectible, classic supercars is looking a bit strange. As the push for electric vehicles surges, many manufacturers have looked at how to best harness the newest technology to keep the supercar alive, and have also created a new type of vehicle entirely with their development.
While limited series, extremely rare, and expensive cars like the Bugatti Chiron 300 or the Ferrari SF90 will certainly be considered classics, it is the hypercar that seems destined to become the new auction superstar.
Take, for example, the 2022 Lotus Evija. Limited to 130 total units, the electric hypercar is made out of the latest space-age materials including carbon-titanium weave, carbon composite, and a variety of resin-impregnated organic fibers. It carries a massive 70 kWh lithium-ion battery stack where a traditional mid-mount engine would sit, and that battery powers four independent electric motors, one at each wheel, that is capable of 500 HP each. The Evija, therefore, is the first production car to come from the factory with 2,000 HP.
At over $2 million USD, each Evija is already a classic hypercar, and desirable to those that missed out on getting onto the purchase list for one. As the first real, roadgoing electric hypercar, it will certainly be gracing auction blocks in a few year’s time, after it has appreciated beyond its original cost.
Yet, there is still hope for those that prefer the internal combustion engine, with rare supercars and hypercars coming from companies such as Koenigsegg, Ferrari, McLaren, Rimac, and the American company SSC, whose Tuatara hypercar can reach the ungodly number of 1,750 HP when fueled with E85.
All of those companies specialize in limited series, low production, high-cost special supercars and hypercars, and as the world pushes more and more towards electric vehicles, it may just free up enough gas that these rare beasts, in 20 years time, will be on the auction block for tens of millions, just like the 250 GTO.
August 2, 2021 / Comments Off on Collecting Classics: How Supercars Are The New Auction Superstars
Lotus is actually celebrated as ‘Featured Marque’ at this year’s Festival of Speed at Goodwood, what a better way to have their latest sports car unveiled to the public for the first time at this very event, they even had to invoke crowd-control on the official Lotus stand at Goodwood because of the sheer number of visitors that wanted to see the Lotus Emira in real life, and literally, tens of thousands saw the dark finished Emira tackle the famous Goodwood hill climb circuit.
But Lotus left an even bigger impression when they had two cars for the ‘Lotus Moment’ parade held in front of the Goodwood house, complete with yellow and green fireworks, which happen to be the official Lotus colors, but I guess the organization and Lotus themselves didn’t quite expect how popular the new Emira would be, the Goodwood Festival of Speed opened at 7 am, and within minutes the Lotus stand got crowded.
They had to enforce a queueing system just to allow people onto the stand and talk about the new Lotus Emira, they could even put in an order for this milestone car from Lotus, because let’s not forget this will be the last gas-powered Lotus, so it’s understandable people are ordering this all-new British sports car now, the Emira was joined on the stand by an Evija all-electric hypercar, an Elise Sport 240 Final Edition and the track bike developed in part by Lotus Engineering for British Cycling.
Lotus is also the theme of the Festival’s “Central Feature“, the dramatic art installation which is always created directly in front of Goodwood House. Called the Lotus ‘Aeroad’ and viewed digitally via a smartphone app, the sculpture uses the latest augmented reality technology to allow users to watch four iconic Lotus cars speed through the air on a virtual racetrack. The app features an ‘at home‘ mode for those who aren’t able to come to Goodwood.
Some more photos of the amazing Lotus Emira during the Goodwood Festival of Speed:
Also note this amazing, gold painted ‘Prototype vehicle’, that also took on the hill climb circuit … smoking its tires:
July 9, 2021 / Comments Off on Dynamic launch of the Lotus Emira at Goodwood
In May 2021, Lotus gave us a look into the future of the brand with the announcement of the all-new Lotus Emira. On July 6th, the company announced the full details on Lotus’s last internal combustion model.
The Lotus already has the configuration tool on its website to assist potential customers in building the perfect Emira. The online configurator allows potential buyers and dreamers alike to select exterior, interior, wheel, and brake colors. Last but not least, you are welcomed to select your choice of either a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 from Toyota with roughly 400hp or a 360hp turbocharged inline-4 that was made in conjunction with AMG. Those engines can be paired to either a 6-speed automatic transmission or a “6-speed manual with Torsen type limited-slip differential”.
How do you get your hands on one?
Per the Lotus website, you have the option to pay a £2,000 ($2,800) “priority fee”. Doing so will put you at the front of the line come the ‘Order Window’ period (beginning September 2021 and end in March 2022). But there’s one small catch – the priority fee is only for Right-hand drive models – otherwise, you wait like everybody else.
The Emira is a very special model not only because it’s the first Lotus model in almost 10 years but it is also the last petrol-powered Lotus to be released. And it can be yours for a measly £60,000 ($83,000) – a small price for such a striking piece of Lotus history.
July 7, 2021 / Comments Off on The 2022 Lotus Emira Has Officially Been Unveiled
Yesterday, Lotus took the covers off the brand new Lotus Emira. A mid-engined sportswear, the Emira builds upon Lotus’ highly successful Elise, Exige and Evora ranges, offering the glamour of a supercar at the price point of a sportscar.
Lotus believe that the Lotus Emira will be its final non-electrified car. It arrives with a choice of engines. The first is AMG’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder inline 4. The second is the 3.5-litre supercharged Toyota V6, familiar to Exige and Evora customers already.
The AMG unit should produce 360hp, while the Toyota unit gives a heady 400hp. In a package that weighs 1,405kg, the Emira should achieve a 4.5 second 100 km/h sprint, with a top speed of 290km/h.
Lotus Emira
Those power units sit within a new lightweight bonded aluminium chassis. Lotus uses double-wishbone suspension all round and retains hydraulic steering. The chassis allows for a standard ‘Tour’ setting with a softer ride compared to the stiffer ‘Sport’, which will be offered with an optional Lotus Driver’s Pack.
The interior receives a dramatic overhaul too. The wraparound cockpit features a modern interior with a touchscreen display. The driver information is digital and the surfaces look to be a modern blend of leather and Alcantara.A high step up from its previous models but retaining a spartan look that is sure to attract Lotus enthusiasts.
Lotus have big ambitions for the Lotus Emira. It hopes to sell 4,800 Emiras per year, a significant increase over the 1,400-1,600 Elise, Exige and Evora models it is used to producing.
The Emira is made possible by £100 million of investment into Lotus’ Hethel facilities. It should be available in key markets worldwide from Spring next year at a price point of less than €72,000. It will make its public debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
July 7, 2021 / Comments Off on All New Lotus Emira Announced – Britain’s Affordable Supercar
The Lotus Evija has been named as ‘The One to Watch‘ in Top Gear’s second-ever Electric Awards as Jack Rix, editor for Top Gear magazine was able to take an early prototype onto Lotus’s own test track in Hethel, Norfolk, production for the all-electric Lotus Evija will start later this year, but the test car handed over to Top Gear is still an early sample, rather crudely finished on the inside, but in a very special wrap on the outside.
Once production of the Lotus Evija gets started, only 120 units will be made of this Lotus halo car at £2,400,000 each (that’s about $3,357,500), but this car will come with 2,000 hp that offers an acceleration from 0 to 62 mph below the 3 seconds mark, going from 0 to 124 mph takes only 6 seconds, and more importantly, an acceleration from 200 km/h to 300 km/h (124 mph to 186 mph) also in just 3 seconds, compared to for instance the Bugatti Chiron that would take 6 seconds.
Top Gear’s Jack Rix was the first to get behind the wheel of a Lotus Evija, albeit a restricted pre-production prototype … this test car came with ‘only’ 1,600 hp and 1,250 lb-ft of torque … bummer, acceleration to 62 mph takes 3.3 seconds in this car and the top speed has been limited to 140 mph, but as this car accelerates with gearshifts, it’s just a relentless push from start to finish, this seems to become a stupendously quick car to drive, even without the full 2,000 hp available.
To keep the Lotus Evija as light as possible, they fitted a small 69 kW battery, and while it’s not fitted underneath the cockpit for that low center of gravity, Lotus has fitted it behind the cockpit, in the position where the engine would be in a mid-engine car, thus offering the same agility as a car with a naturally aspirated engine, the downside of this rather small battery is the fact the Evija will only have a range of about 30 miles when pushed hard.
On the other hand, Lotus confirms the Evija will be capable of a full charge in only 18 minutes … provided you have access to a 350 kW charger, but the advantage of using such a small battery is the fact the Lotus Evija will put only 1,680 kg on the scales, with 2,000 hp available in production form, this will result in some very brutal acceleration, and amazing road-holding capabilities with active vectoring and aerodynamics added to the production version.
Enjoy Top Gear’s video on the track test below:
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May 9, 2021 / Comments Off on Award winning Lotus Evija
Lotus recently let some details slide about the release of a new mid-engine sports car set to be unveiled on July 6th in Hethel, Norfolk. The new Lotus Emira will have a formal debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed taking place on July 8-11, 2021.
The name “Emira” has translated in many different languages to “leader” or “commander” – very fitting considering the new Emira is set to replace the Lotus Elise, Exige, and Evora. Sales won’t begin until 2022 but luckily for you, the Emira will be sold in the US, unlike many previous Lotus models. With that being said, we likely won’t see the Lotus Emira hit dealerships until 2023 – but again, at least we’ll get them here.
The released teaser shots of the Emira point out that style cues come from the Evija, the brand’s $2M+ electric hypercar. The Emira also happens to be the brand’s last car with an internal combustion engine. Gathering design for the Emira from an electric car sounds a bit morbid since the Emira will be the last one holding the gasoline torch.
Lotus Evija
The Emira will come packing a couple of different engine options in both four and six-cylinder. According to MotorAuthority, the inline-four engine will be brand new while the V6 is said to be coming out of the Exige/Evora. The 3.5-liter supercharged Toyota V6 will pump out about 430 horsepower while the four-cylinder engine will give you 300hp.
Pricing for the new Emira will vary depending on the engine and other options and is said to range from about $75,000 and $105,000. These figures were tossed out by Phil Popham, the former Lotus CEO back in January.
The news of the Emira is bittersweet for ICE lovers but Lotus has a lot coming out in the near future. They are said to be offering a selection of “lifestyle” autos such as the likes of a crossover.
May 3, 2021 / Comments Off on Last Lotus to Carry Gas Engine to Hit US Market 2022
Ever since I saw The Spy Who Loved Me, where secret agent James Bond drives the first version of the 1977 Lotus Esprit into the sea and turned it into a submarine, I’ve been a fan … when he used a Copper Fire Metallic with gold stripes and decals Esprit Turbo with skis on the rear hatch in For Your Eyes Only I was hooked completely.
A Lotus Esprit was regarded as a supercar, a sportscar, but it didn’t come with a massive V8 or an exclusive V12, an Esprit came with a four-cylinder engine, 2.0-liter engine with a mere 160 hp in Europe, for the US these came with only 140 hp, these Series 1 models managed a top speed of about 214 km/h (133 mph).
From 1980 on the Lotus Esprit Turbo came with 210 hp which resulted in a top speed of 241 km/h (150 mph), so finally, we were talking about a sports car in every sense of the word, low, wide, and fast, towards the late 80s a complete exterior redesign led to the X180 version, much rounder in styling compared to the earlier models, this one would evolve into the S4 model, which would be the final Lotus Esprit version, still with a four-cylinder engine.
Things really changed in 1996, when Lotus released the Esprit V8 model, with two Garrett T25/60 turbochargers power output grew to 350 hp and showed acceleration figures from 0–97 km/h (60 mph) in 4.4 seconds while the top speed of 282 km/h (175 mph) could be reached, in 2002 a final restyling effort was made by installing round taillights.
The Lotus Esprit would be in production for a total of 28 years, the final Lotus Esprit ever built was completed on February 20, 2004, after 10,675 units the last one was delivered to the customer in Chicago, the USA, but some are more valuable than others, especially one of only 100 units built in 2002 as a 25th Anniversary edition, with each of the cars numbered … how would you feel about owing nr 001/100?
This unique car is currently listed for sale at BringATrailer, the online auction site, finished in silver metallic (like the Lotus Esprit from Pretty Woman) over a black leather interior, chassis #SCCDC08282HA10344 shows only 19,000 miles and comes with a replacement V8 engine, and sits on amazing looking 17-inch wheels up front and 18-inch wheels at the rear.
Sadly a classic car like this failed California emissions tests and subsequently cannot be sold to a private party from California, which is a pity as this one comes with a removable roof panel to offer open-top motoring with that impressive twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V8 engine just behind your ears and a five-speed gear lever in the palm of your hand..
March 29, 2021 / Comments Off on A 2002 Lotus Esprit V8
Lotus has taken a shot at what the future of enduro racing could look like, with the new E-R9, a new design study for the next generation of full electric vehicles as their vision 2030.
E-R stands for Endurance Racer while 9 is the car’s competition number which was chosen in tribute to Lotus’ racing past. In 1955, the Lotus Mark IX made its appearance at Le Mans 24 Hours meaning if the E-R9 is to race in 2030, it would be in celebration of the Mark IX’s 75th anniversary.
The E-R9 is finished in Black and Gold and features a fighter jet-style canopy mounted in a delta-wing upper body in the center. Changes include improved active aerodynamics with “morphing” body panels and vertically mounted control surfaces to assist with high-speed cornering.
The main aerodynamic transformations in the E-R9 are the Morphing body panels found across the delta-wing profile, the flexibility allows active surfaces to change their shape and attitude to the air flow by either a touch of a button or performance sensors which would provide minimum drag on the straight and maximum downforce in the corners. Vertical control surfaces at the rear distribute aerodynamic forces to help the car change direction without limiting the grip at the tyre contact patch.
The E-R9 powers each wheel independently thanks to the advanced electric powertrain system enhanced with torque-vectoring and would be fully adjustable by the driver while on the move. One of the engineers announced that they are developing mixed cell chemistry batteries that will improve the performance as well as enable “hot-swap” during pit stops.
February 18, 2021 / Comments Off on Lotus E-R9 Electric Racer Previews Le Mans in 2030
The all-electric Lotus Evija hypercar has been recognized in the prestigious International Design Awards (IDAs), winning the ‘Product Design of the Year’ category.
Established in 2007 by a group of leading international designers, visionaries, and entrepreneurs as a response to a lack of pure design awards in their field, the IDAs have a truly global profile. They celebrate smart and sustainable multi-disciplinary designs, promoting outstanding creativity while uncovering emerging talent.
The award was presented to Lotus after being selected by a panel jury representing each of the five diverse IDA disciplines – Architecture, Fashion, Interior, Product, and Graphic Design. The jurors evaluated entries from more than 80 countries, each exhibiting the highest standards of design. The Evija was honored for its breathtaking ability to stretch the boundaries of automotive design.
Members of the IDA jury commented that the Lotus Evija “paves a way towards a more sustainable future whilst embodying an exceptional aerodynamic aesthetic”, and that “its seductive style elevates the Evija to be the world’s most premium sustainable car”.
The Lotus Evija was built with a simple goal – to be the absolute pinnacle of world-class engineering and the most powerful performance car ‘For The Drivers’. It harnesses Lotus’ technical expertise, fine-tuned over more than seven decades, to create a masterclass of automotive excellence.
Russell Carr, Director of Design, Lotus, said: “Everyone at Lotus is honored to receive this award. The Evija is an incredibly important car for Lotus; it is inspired by our innovative past and is the ultimate statement of intent for our ambitious and exciting future. It also sets the standard for a new Lotus design language.”
To celebrate the IDA award, Lotus has released a set of new images of the Lotus Evija. Shot on the streets of London prior to the current UK lockdown restrictions, they reveal every facet of the hypercar’s stunning design.
From the Lotus Cars press release (Hethel, UK – 11 February 2021)
February 11, 2021 / Comments Off on Lotus Evija is the world’s most premium sustainable car
After being in production for more than two decades, an era in the history of Lotus Cars is about to end … the iconic Elise production will end after 25 years, while the genre-creating Exige will fade out after 21 years. But the production of these important models will not end at a low, Lotus Cars created five special, lightweight, more powerful, and better-equipped versions as their ultimate evolution.
Two new variants for the Elise and three more based on the Exige are developed for discerning customers that want to own a piece of history, these models will come with bespoke paint finish, new decals, new wheel finishes … and naturally ‘Final Edition’ badges, three of these five specials will also come with increased power.
Lotus Elise Sport 240 Final Edition
The Elise Sport 240 Final Edition gains an extra 23bhp from a revised calibration and so replaces the Sport 220. Delivering 240bhp and 244Nm of torque, the engine has been tuned to provide stunning real-world performance and class-leading efficiency. The 0-60mph sprint is completed in 4.1 seconds thanks to a power-to-weight ratio of 260bhp per tonne. CO2 emissions of 177 g/km are extremely low for the performance on offer.
The car comes with 10-spoke Anthracite lightweight forged alloy wheels as standard (6J x 16” front and 8J x 17” rear). They’re 0.5kg lighter than the wheels on the Elise Sport 220 and shod with Yokohama V105 tires (195/50 R16 front and 225/45 R17 rear).
Further weight savings can be achieved with an extensive range of optional carbon fiber panels, including sill covers and engine cover, lithium-ion battery plus a lightweight polycarbonate rear window. With all the lightweight options chosen, the mass of the Elise Sport 240 reduces further from 922kg to 898kg.
Lotus Elise Cup 250 Final Edition
Key to the Elise Cup 250’s performance is its aerodynamics and downforce linked to its power and lightweight. With aerodynamically optimized components such as the front splitter, rear wing, rear diffuser, and side floor extension, this Final Edition car produces 66kg of downforce at 100mph and 155kg of downforce at its maximum speed of 154mph.
The car is shod in new 10-spoke Diamond Cut ultra-lightweight M Sport forged wheels (7J x 16” front and 8J x 17” rear) with Yokohama A052 tires (195/50 R16 front and 225/45 R17 rear). The extensive list of standard equipment includes Bilstein sports dampers and adjustable anti-roll bars, to help maximize the aerodynamic downforce available and boost grip whilst maintaining the legendary Elise handling. Also fitted as standard is a lightweight lithium-ion battery and polycarbonate rear window.
Other lightweight carbon fiber options, as on the Elise Sport 240 Final Edition, are available reducing the mass to an unladen weight of just 931kg.
Lotus Exige Sport 390
The new Exige Sport 390 replaces the outgoing Exige Sport 350. The power increase of 47bhp comes from a revised calibration linked to the Edelbrock supercharger with chargecooling, to produce 397bhp and 420Nm. Linked to a light weight of 1,138kg, the Exige Sport 390 accelerates to 60mph in just 3.7 seconds before reaching a top speed of 172mph.
The advanced aerodynamics are carefully balanced, generating 70kg of downforce at the rear and 45kg up front for a total of 115kg at top speed. To put this power on to the road, the Exige Sport 390 has 10-spoke silver lightweight forged alloy wheels (7.5J x 17” front and 10J x 18” rear) and Michelin PS4 tyres (205/45 ZR17 front and 265/35 ZR18 rear).
Lotus Exige Sport 420 Final Edition
The Exige Sport 420 Final Edition gains an extra 10bhp and replaces the outgoing Sport 410. It is the fastest Exige available, topping out at 180mph, with 0-60mph completed in 3.3 seconds. With its light weight of 1,110kg and 420bhp (giving a power to weight of 378bhp per tonne) and 427Nm from the supercharged and chargecooled V6 engine, coupled with a flat torque curve and maximum power available to maximum revs, the Exige is regarded as the most complete driving car of its class.
The list of standard equipment is impressive. Front and rear Eibach anti-roll bars are adjustable and the three-way adjustable Nitron dampers allow for different high and low speed compression settings. The car rides on 10-spoke Anthracite lightweight forged alloy wheels (7.5J x 17” front, 10J x 18” rear) with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres (215/45 ZR17 front and 285/30 ZR18 rear). Stopping power comes from AP Racing brakes with forged, four-piston calipers and two-piece J-hook brake discs. With a higher thermal capacity and improved bite, these discs offer improved debris clearance and reduced vibration for more consistent pedal feel and greater, fade-free performance.
Lotus Exige Cup 430 Final Edition
The Cup 430 remains the range-topping Exige. Already legendary in its short lifetime, it is regarded as being one of the world’s quickest real-world sports car. It is not just suited to its driver’s favourite road, but also at home on a challenging circuit.
Chargecooled for a consistent 430bhp and capable of generating 171kg of downforce, this is the road and track car to rule them all. The radical aero package is not for show; the Exige Cup 430 generates as much downforce at 100mph as the Exige Sport 390 does at 170mph. Weighing just 1,110kg the power-to-weight ratio hits a staggering 387bhp per tonne. With 440Nm of torque from 2,600rpm, 0-60mph is completed in 3.2 seconds on the way to a top speed of 174mph. Downforce is balanced at all speeds, with the car generating 76kg at the front and a further 95kg at the rear, giving a total of 171kg.
Everything about the Exige Cup 430 is focused upon performance whether that’s driving on the road or track. Every car comes with motorsport-grade carbon fibre panels include the front splitter, front access panel, roof, diffuser surround, enlarged air-intake side pods, one-piece tailgate and race-derived rear wing. In addition to revised steering arm geometry to increase bump steer, handling characteristics can be altered via the Nitron three-way adjustable dampers (high and low speed compression plus rebound adjustment) and Eibach adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars, both as standard. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres (215/45 ZR17 front and 285/30 ZR18 rear) are fitted to ultra-lightweight 10 spoke diamond cut lightweight forged alloy wheels (7.5J x 17” front, 10J x 18” rear).
Braking comes via forged, four-piston AP Racing brake calipers and higher thermal capacity two-piece J-hook brake discs front and rear. The system is designed to give improved bite and reduced vibration, delivering consistent pedal feel and fade-free stopping power lap after lap.
With a high-flow titanium exhaust system as standard, the Cup 430 sounds like no other supercar at speed. Motorsport-derived variable traction control linked directly to the ECU helps maximise traction on corner exit by managing the giant surge of torque. It’s controlled via a six-position rotary switch located on the steering column. Only active with the ESP stability control switched off, the five pre-set traction levels are displayed on the instrument cluster.
When production of the Lotus Elise, Exige and Evora end later this year, the final combined production total will be in the region of 55,000 cars. Together they account for more than half of Lotus’ total road car production since the first Lotus in 1948.
February 8, 2021 / Comments Off on The Lotus Elise and Exige Final Edition cars
The cliches are strong when it comes to Lotus. ‘It handles like a Lotus’ and ‘the steering wheel brims with feel like in a Lotus’ are phases that have peppered reviews of supercars in magazines for decades. Goodwood SpeedWeek offered up the chance for me to, finally, put the claims to the test and drive a Lotus in anger for the very first time. Could the British built sports cars really live up to the hype?
First up was an opportunity to explore the glorious roads around Goodwood in an Evora GT 410 Sport. This is the less hardcore, more road focused Evora. That being said, it’s still plenty quick – as the name would suggest, there is 410 horsepower and 410Nm of torque on tap from the 3.5 litre supercharged V6. Adding lightness is the Lotus ethos and as a result, the 1,361kg Evora with a 6-speed manual transmission will hit 100km/h in 4.2 seconds.
Lotus GT 410 Sport
Our on the road initial impressions are that the GT 410 Sport feels small on the road, heading down narrow lanes in a car this size means that I felt confident in finding the limits without grimacing every time a car passed me in the opposite direction. The other overriding impression is made from the sensational exhaust note. The tone may be a touch too trumpet like, but every time the revs built so did the size of my grin. Chasing the redline is a joy, as is the gear change. The exposed linkage is a cool touch, but the real joy is in shifting that towering metal stick that rises from it. When you’re done with engaging the next gear and jump back onto the throttle, you notice something moving in the rear view mirror over your left shoulder. There is a window directly behind the driver and passenger which gives a view of the engine and the throttle linkage actuating the fuel to air ratio – a very neat touch.
Finally, there is the handling. Much like the gearshift, the steering is fabulous, as are the pedal weightings. Heeling-and-toeing takes some getting used to the as brake and throttle pedal are a couple of centimetres too far apart – the entire pedal box is a touch offset to the left, but it is not uncomfortable. The ride over the broken Chichester roads was a touch on the harsh side, but the road surface really was as bad as it gets.
Trundling back into the Goodwood Paddock, I was sad to hand the keys back, but my dejection was short lived as a Lotus Exige Cup 430 was waiting for me to hustle around the circuit. I’ve had the pleasure of driving a number of cars on track lately. From the McLaren 765LT to a Mini GP3, nothing has immediately felt as dialled in, yet entertaining as this. The mid-engined balance immediately feels sublime, the unassisted steering is a joy at speed and the pull of the 430 horsepower culminate in one of the friendliest and exciting track experiences I’ve had.
All of the feedback, from the base of the seat through to the steering feedback in my palms, is far more concentrated and communicative than any Porsche Cayman I have driven. A Cayman GTS 4.0 is the natural rival for the Cup 430, but the Porsche cannot compete when it comes to track day focus. I suspect that if you could only have one car to live with, the Porsche would be the obvious choice, but if you are looking for something better suited to learning a racetrack in, the Lotus has the Porsche on the ropes and that is not a conclusion I expected to be making. Bravo Lotus, believe the hype. Forget about the 2,000 horsepower electric hypercar race, the Evora and Exige are what Lotus and know for and do best.
Lotus Cup 430
October 18, 2020 / Comments Off on Special Report: My First Lotus Experience – Goodwood SpeedWeek
Regardless, the livery used to wrap the Evija is what truly caught our attention. For those familiar with Lotus racing liveries of the past, you’ll immediately recognize it as a modern take on the John Player Special livery. Lotus even photographed the Evija in this livery sitting next to a few old Formula 1 cars wearing the original John Player Special digs.
Black and gold just looks proper on a Lotus racecar, and it looks absolutely superb on the Evija, too. Since this is technically a dynamic debut, Lotus also gave us a short video that you can check out below.
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The most intriguing part is the audio. Those electric motors are loud. It can’t come close to matching the yowl of a high output gasoline engine, but the Evija is clearly going to make its own dramatic, electric noise. That’s all well and proper, because extra theater is what electric cars typically lack.
In an adjacent news brief, Lotus detailed some of the things it did to save weight. Lotus believes that “Colin Chapman would agree the Evija is 100% a true Lotus.” To make it so, Lotus says the carbon fiber monocoque is extremely light, weighing in at just 284 pounds, contributing to making it the lightest electric hypercar when it comes out (not as though there’s much competition).
Using holes and free space contributed to the lightweighting efforts, too. The venturi tunnels through each rear haunch both save weight and produce downforce. The center console design and floating dashboard leave tons of empty space behind where weight would accumulate otherwise. Lotus’ crossbeam design for the dash helps it serve as a structural member and also houses the interior ventilation system, combining two elements into one and saving weight.
Lotus says you’ll be able to see the Evija attack the Supercar Run on SpeedWeek, where it will attempt to set a fast lap time against many other new supercars and hypercars.
Related Video:
October 16, 2020 / Comments Off on Lotus Evija shown in John Player Special livery at Goodwood SpeedWeek
