Lotus announced last night in Frankfurt that they will return to the World Rally Championship after 30 years of absence, with the new Exige R-GT. Lotus Exige R-GT is based on the newly unveiled 2012 Exige S, which has received several racing parts. Lotus designed the Exige R-GT specifically for the WRC championship. The rally racer is homologated by FIA to participate in a new category series, which will take place in Monte Carlo, Tour de Corse and San Remo.
Lotus says that their new Exige R-GT is a professions rally car, however, you don't have to be a pro to be able to drive it. We would like to add that you at least need to have some talent.
The Exige R-GT comes with a FIA approved roll-cage, which is bolted and bonded on the
lightweight aluminum chassis, front and rear underbody protections, Lexan windows, WRC style crew side protections and a roof air scoop. The Lotus Exige R-GT weighs 1200 kg.
To power the Exige R-GT, Lotus uses the same 3.5-liter V6 as in the production version of the model, which develops 302 hp. The engine on the rally car has 34 mm air restrictors, as required by FIA. The power of the engine is sent to the wheels via a 6-speed sequential transmission, a limited slip diff and specific halfshafts.
Lotus equips their Exige R-GT rally racer with a front and rear double wishbones suspension, with adjustable dampers, and upgraded brakes with a hydraulic fly-off handbrake and improved cooling.
So far Lotus did not announce the drivers who will compete in their new Exige R-GT.
Lotus Exige R-GT video:
