Toyota-powered Lotus Emira GT4 trots at Hethel test track

Lotus has launched the highly anticipated Emira GT4 last week. The Geely-owned British automotive marque showcased the capabilities of the GT version of the Emira sports car through an exclusive event at the legendary 2.2-mile circuit in Hethel.

Behind the wheel was Lotus Director of Vehicle Attributes and former British GT Championship winner Gavan Kershaw.

“We knew we had an excellent starting point for the Emira GT4 because of all the work done to make the road car such a great performer. Showing off the GT4’s dynamic capabilities on the Hethel test track — which has shaped countless race cars and their drivers since Lotus moved to the site in 1966 — is a very special moment for me and all the team involved,” Kershaw said.

The introduction of the Emira GT4 marks the start of an exciting new era in performance GT racing for Lotus. It is the first new model to be launched by Lotus Advanced Performance, the Norwich-based company’s high-performance division.

The Emira GT4 comes with a homologated performance machine, hand-built with lightweight motorsport components and equipment to meet the latest safety regulations.

The advanced composite bodywork makes the car exceptionally lightweight and highlights the optimized GT4 aerodynamics derived from the road-going Emira’s advanced exterior design. Supporting the light body are double wishbone suspensions at the front and at the rear, two-way adjustable Ohlins TTx dampers, as well as front and rear anti-roll bars.

Complementing its lightweight frame are a set of 18-inch forged aluminum wheels wrapped with Pirelli GT4 tires.

Inside are FIA-homologated six-point roll cage, FIA-compliant HANS-approved seat with a six-point harness, as well as an electronic fire extinguisher system and isolator switches.

It is fitted with Toyota’s race-proven 3.5-liter V6 engine and is mated to an Xtrac six-speed sequential gearbox with paddle-shift actuation and LSD. This setup allows the Emira GT4 to put out about 395 horses.

Stopping power comes from a competition specification brake system featuring Bosch’s adjustable Motorsport ABS.

“We’re delighted with how the Emira GT4 program has progressed. We have an appealing spec and a level of performance that’s going to thrill both customers and spectators around the world. I believe in the Emira GT4 we have a car that promises to be more than competitive,” said Lotus Race Program Manager Richard Selwin.

Lotus Advanced Performance Director Simon Lane adds, “Lotus’ commitment to motorsport is world-renowned and is one of the key elements of enhanced customer engagement within this recently launched division of the business. We have exciting plans for Lotus Advanced Performance — there is much more to come.”

The Lotus Emira GT4 is priced from £165,000.

Also present at last week’s private event at the Hethel test track was the 1965 GT Lotus Type 30. It uses a 4.7-liter V8 engine from Ford.

Photos from Lotus

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