Autoblog

Lotus announces race-ready Exige V6 Cup and Cup R

Zach Bowman — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:14:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Lotus, UK, Racing

Lotus has pulled off the wraps on two new versions of the Exige: the V6 Cup and the V6 Cup R. Based on the Exige S, the V6 Cup is built to be a dual-purpose street and track machine. The 0-60 dash should take just under 3.8 seconds thanks to a full 345 horsepower from a supercharged 3.5-liter V6 engine. Weighing in at 2,380 pounds, the V6 Cup should be an absolute riot to drive, and with a full FIA-approved roll cage, fire extinguisher and six-point race harnesses on board, it's plenty safe, too. Two-way adjustable dampers are standard, as are AP Racing four-piston calipers on all four corners. More importantly, drivers can expect to find the Lotus Dynamic Performance Management system in the cockpit, complete with Touring, Sport and DPM Off modes.

The V6 Cup R, meanwhile, is both lighter and offers more horsepower than the standard V6 Cup. The same blown V6 dishes out 366 horsepower in R trim, and the whole contraption tips the scales at 2,292 pounds. Of course, the same spate of race hardware is stock, minus the DPM system. A lightweight battery, track-spec tow loops and quick-release engine cover help separate the Cup R from its more civil sibling, as do performance brake pads and better oil and water cooling systems.

Check out the brief press release below for more information. Both of the new models are headed for a debut at the 2013 Autosport International Show.

Continue reading Lotus announces race-ready Exige V6 Cup and Cup R

Lotus announces race-ready Exige V6 Cup and Cup R originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus ramps up Indy racing program with Bourdais and Legge

Noah Joseph — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Lotus, Misc. Auto Shows

The only thing more ambitious than Lotus and its expansive new product plan is the company's racing program. In the span of just a few years, the British automaker has launched forays into Formula One, IndyCar, endurance sportscar racing and even karting, all with its own factory-backed works initiatives. And in true Lotus style, it's not showing any signs of slowing down any time soon.

In line with its ambitions, Lotus rolled into the Autosport International Show - the preeminent annual motorsport expo in England - with a whole mess of racing cars and programs to go with them. The firm's F1, GP2 and GP3 teams have all fallen under the new Lotus Racing banner and all will wear the same black and gold livery. A new Lotus Club GT offers the full racing experience to gentlemen racers with the money to pony up for a track-spec Evora, similar to the Type 125 customer single-seater that just underwent further development by the company's grand prix team. But the real news comes from the IndyCar program.

After five years of exclusively using Honda power, the IndyCar Series is switching to a new chassis next season and with it is bringing both Chevrolet and Lotus on board as alternative engine suppliers. Lotus is already contracted to power three independent teams - HVM Racing, Bryan Herta Autosport and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing - who will each choose their new livery from the Lotus back catalog of color schemes. Dragon Racing, however, has been selected by the factory as its new works team in the series, running the same black and gold livery as the F1 team.

The team is owned by Jay Penske (son of Roger Penske), and has just announced its driver lineup for the upcoming season, bringing multiple Champ Car champion and former grand prix driver Sebastien Bourdais on board together with Katherine Legge, another DTM and Champ Car driver eager to steal some of Danica Patrick's spotlight. With Lotus providing the motivation, the upcoming season of open-wheel racing in America is shaping up to be an interesting one. Follow the jump for the full announcement.

Continue reading Lotus ramps up Indy racing program with Bourdais and Legge

Lotus ramps up Indy racing program with Bourdais and Legge originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford gears up with new Fiesta RS WRC livery

Noah Joseph — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows, Racing

Teams come and teams go from the World Rally Championship. But while this season will see the arrival of Volkswagen and Mini on the WRC stage as newcomers, one perennial challenger that will return is Ford.

Having replaced the long-serving Focus RS last season, Ford will carry on with the new Fiesta RS for another crack at the title it narrowly lost once again to Citroën last season. No fewer than twelve examples will be on the stage this season, but only two will be fielded by the factory-backed Ford World Rally Team, which has just revealed their new livery for the upcoming season at the Autosport International show in Birmingham, England.

Castrol returns once again as the main sponsor, its logo dominating the new color scheme which will be sported by returning five-time rally winner Jari-Matti Latvala (with co-driver Miika Anttila) and former champion Petter Solberg (with Chris Patterson). The latter replaces perennial runner-up Mikko Hirvonen, who left for Citroën this season. Check out the new livery in the high-res image gallery and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Ford gears up with new Fiesta RS WRC livery

Ford gears up with new Fiesta RS WRC livery originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Caterham counts far beyond Seven with new SP/300R [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, MISC, Racing

Caterham SP/300R - Click above for high-res image gallery

The concept of the track car is a relatively new one, bridging the divide between racing cars and road cars. And with the confines of street driving constricting the enjoyment of sports cars on public roads, more and more drivers with the means have been opting for track-optimized performance machines. Particularly in the UK. What better company, then, to join the legions than Caterham?

The niche British sportscar company made a name for itself in continuing the production of the legendary Lotus 7, and while Caterham isn't abandoning that formula by any means, it has announced the new SP/300R as a second line. Built in collaboration with Lola - that of racing car fame - the Caterham SP/300R follows the same Le Mans-style prototype model popularized by rival firm Radical.

Technical details are still being finalized, but the beating heart of this consumer prototype is a 2.0-liter Ford Duratec engine, supercharged and tweaked in-house to the tune of 300 horsepower. The engine is mounted longitudinally amidships and mated to a Hewland sequential transmission, but the chassis is designed to accommodate a range of powertrains at the buyer's request. As is, though, the manufacturer anticipates a 2.5-second sprint to 60, thanks mainly to its tidy 1,300-pound curb weight.

Caterham released the SP/300R as promised at the Autosport International show in Birmingham, England. It will only be building 25 examples of the vehicle each year - with a pre-tax price tag of £60,000 (around $93,000 USD) and plans to launch a spec racing series built around the vehicle as well. A street-legal version is also under consideration, but for now this beast remains confined to the track where it belongs. Follow the jump for a video and the full press release, and check out the trio of images released thus far in the gallery below. Thanks to Andrus for the video tip!

Gallery: Caterham SP/300R

[Source: Caterham]

Continue reading Caterham counts far beyond Seven with new SP/300R [w/video]

Caterham counts far beyond Seven with new SP/300R [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Radical Sportscars previews SR3 SL ahead of Autosport debut

Noah Joseph — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, MISC

If you're looking for a bare-bones, no nonsense roadster, the upcoming Autosport International motorsport show in Birmigham, England, is the place to be. That's where Caterham is set to unveil an all-new vehicle, and where Radical is also planning to debut its latest street-legal race car.

Now, that term is used to describe many performance automobiles, but if anyone can lay claim to it, it's Radical. The company makes Le Mans Prototype-style cars that are nominally street legal, but every bit the purebred racers they look like. The SR8 holds the lap record at the Nürburgring, and is soon to be joined in the Radical lineup by the SR3 SL. Fully street legal, the SR3 SL is aimed at track-day enthusiasts looking for a car they can drive to the circuit, lap to their heart's content and then drive back home... just like in the good old days.

The SR3 SL is powered by a 300-horsepower version of the Ford EcoBoost five found in the Focus ST, optimized in-house by Radical. It's mated to a six-speed paddle-shift sequential gearbox that automatically blips the throttle on the downshift, and with a curb weight under 1,500 lbs, is sure to be a serious thrill ride.

[Source: Radical]

Continue reading Radical Sportscars previews SR3 SL ahead of Autosport debut

Radical Sportscars previews SR3 SL ahead of Autosport debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Dec 2010 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Caterham to break out of the Seven mold with all-new model

Noah Joseph — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, MISC

Is Caterham an automaker or merely another replicar manufacturer? Considering that the British company currently produces continuation models of the original Lotus Seven exclusively, it'd be tough to argue the former. But Caterham seems intent on breaking new ground, and to that end has announced plans to unveil an "entirely new model" in January.

Little in the way of details have been announced, but Caterham says its new car will mark "the beginning of a new dawn for the Company, but one that remains true to the lightweight, minimalist DNA of the legendary Seven." Intriguing, to say the least.

The model is slated to use a new in-house engine, be built alongside the Seven (pictured above) and debut at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham (England, not Alabama) on January 13, so stay tuned. Official announcement after the jump.

[Source: Caterham]

Continue reading Caterham to break out of the Seven mold with all-new model

Caterham to break out of the Seven mold with all-new model originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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