Is Lotus feeling a bit of pressure? After the folks who invented the "lighter-is-better" racing philosophy were shown up by the newly-arrived KTM X-Bow in the GT4 Super Sport series in 2008, Lotus has big plans for 2009. The Lotus Sport 2-Eleven GT4 Supersport debuts next year, facing the X-Bow and Donkervoort D8 in the GT4 Super Sport class. The 2-Eleven GT4 Supersport is a track-only vehicle, with a new composite body and more power than the current 2-Eleven.
Lotus has tweaked the induction and exhaust systems, remapped the engine management and made the supercharger more powerful. This brings the 2-Eleven GT4 up to 270 PS (266 bhp) with 247 Nm torque. A six-speed sequential transmission with a center-mounted lever features a rev-matching "auto-blip" system for downshifts. A limited-slip differential is also part of the package. The suspension has been upgraded with stiffer springs and race-spec rear toe links.
The 2-Eleven GT4 Supersport is wrapped in a dramatic aerodynamic composite body that features a rigid tonneau cover, deep front splitter and an aggressive carbon fiber rear wing. A full roll cage and carbon-fiber racing seat are also part of the package.
Lotus also says that many of the modifications made to this car can be retrofitted to existing 2-Elevens. Deliveries of the initial ten-car run begin in March, just in time for the 2009 racing season, and the Lotus 2-Eleven GT4 Supersport has an MSRP of £78,255.
The Lotus Sport 2-Eleven GT4 Supersport race car asserts itself at the pinnacle of the 2-Eleven range, combining race winning pedigree with unparalleled handling and balance.
Building on the success of the 2-Eleven road and track variants, Lotus Sport has developed this GT4 Supersport race car to compete in the European SRO GT4 Supersports category.
The Lotus Sport GT4 Supersport pushes the limits to the extreme: wearing a dramatic composite body, full rollcage and with increased power and a sequential gearbox it provides a race winning package. The GT4 Supersport offers an advanced aerodynamic package, with aggressive styling alluding to its searing performance and phenomenal racing potential.
Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus plc said, "Lotus has an enviable motor racing heritage that includes some of the most successful racing cars in history. We are confident that the 2-Eleven will continue our winning tradition and become a classic of the future. The 2-Eleven GT4 Supersport offers one of the most cost effective, competitive and easiest routes into this level of motorsport".
Lotus Sport has increased the power and torque available in the GT4 Supersport car to 270 PS and 247 Nm from the standard supercharged cars 255 PS and 242 Nm engine. The increases in power and torque have been gained through improved induction and exhaust systems, and with a high ratio supercharger drive system for increased levels of boost. To maximise the upgrades to the engine the engine management system has been remapped and optimised.
Lotus Sport is offering a 6 speed sequential gearbox with a centrally mounted push/ pull lever and gear selector display. The gearbox is integrated with the engine management system to allow flat shifts up through the box and an "autoblip" rev matching system on downchange. This transmission offers lightning quick gear changes, shaving those all important tenths off each gear change. A plate type limited slip differential, employed to improve traction out of corners competes the setup.
Chris Arnold, Head of Lotus Sport, said "the GT4 Supersport has some exceptional new features and provides a compelling package that has race winning credentials. This is a hugely exciting new car for Lotus Sport, we have already had good success in mainland Europe with the test car and we are looking forward to our customers successes in the 2009 season".
There will be an initial run limited to 10 cars priced at £78 255 MSRP with delivery dates in March ready for the ‘09 racing season. Some GT4 Supersport features can be retro-fitted to 2-Elevens that have already been purchased, offering increased versatility and allowing owners to upgrade their car as they hone their skills.
The 2-Eleven double wishbone suspension is uprated with stiffer race focused springs and dampers. The dampers are the race proven 2-way adjustable Ohlins units, allowing the handling to be fine tuned for optimum track setup. The rear suspension has been upgraded with the addition of race spec rear toe links. Semi-slick AO48 Yokohama's are fitted as standard.
Another new addition for 2009 is the Lotus manufactured FIA compliant carbon fibre race seats. The Lotus Sport seats are HANS approved and are complimented with a Schroth 6-point race harness. A 70 litre FIA approved bag tank is fitted as part of the GT4 Supersport spec along with a plumbed-in fire extinguisher system. A concession to easier ingress and egress comes in the form of a removable Lotus Sport steering wheel.
The GT4 Supersport has a rigid tonneau cover to improve aerodynamics. The aero package is improved with significant levels of downforce generated by a carbon fibre rear wing and rear diffuser, balanced by a deep front splitter. The GT4 Supersport generates up to 80 kg of positive downforce at 100 mph, which is over 10 % of the cars weight.
The race car retains the excellent sports tuned ABS, variable traction control and launch control systems available on the current 2-Eleven. These race proven systems have been thoroughly tested and give exceptional feel and control in a wide variety of conditions.
