Lotus and motor racing are synonymous. Ever since the company was founded its been part of what they do best; and Lotus’ current crop of cars are no different. The Evora GTC is an evolution of the company’s Evora GT4 Enduro racecar, and while most of the mechanical elements are the same, the GTC has been subjected to some additional weight-saving measures.
The Evora GTC is powered by a 4.0 litre V6 which produces 450 horsepower and 340 lb-ft (460 Nm) of torque. The transmission is an XTRAC six-speed sequential paddle-shift gearbox which directs the power to the 18-inch rear wheels.
Unlike the Evora GT4, the Evora GTC features carbon fiber body panels and Plexiglas windows. This shaves around 30 kilos (66 lbs) off the weight bringing the total down to 1,130 kgs (2,491 lbs). Wider wheels have also been fitted, and these mean it was essential to fit the car with fairly substantial flared arches. Traction control and BOSCH racing Anti-Lock Brakes system have been added to optimize power delivery and braking control.
The car has already undergone several weeks of testing on Lotus’ Hethel Test Track where its proving to be faster than its predecessor – thankfully! Lotus have also managed to find their first customers. McMahon Raceworks and Condor Motorsport have both put in orders. In addition Team Bullrun’s Evora GT4 will be converted to GTC-spec next month.
The Lotus Evora GTC will be competing in America’s Grand-Am road races, the Rolex Sports Car Series and the Britcar MSA Endurance Championship.
Back in the late 1990s, when Lamborghini were starting to realise they needed a replacement for the ageing Diablo, they started reviewing design proposals from various automotive design firms. Zagato’s offering was the Zagato L147 SuperDiablo, or as it was to be later known, the Lamborghini Canto. The Lamborghini Canto first appeared in 1998, it arrived only two years after another Zagato designed Lamborghini concept had been unveiled, the Diablo-based Raptor. The cars shared a number of similar features, including the wraparound windows, triangular lateral air intakes, and trademark double-bubble roof. However of the two, the earlier Raptor was probably the better looking. Clearly Ferdinand Piech – head of the Volkswagen Group – thought so too. After VW bought Lamborghini in 1999, one of his first decisions was to review the Canto’s development and redesign the concept. The car was re-engineered and the rear extensively restyled to include smaller air intakes. The engine was also up