World Auto News & Reviews

Last week, we brought forth details on Lotus’ “Ultimate Consumer Track and Race Car” not knowing that the Lotus 125 would make a pre-appearance at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during this past weekend’s events. All that means is that we did not have to wait as long to get specific details on the lightweight, 650-kilogram F1-inspired limited edition race car. The Lotus Exos 125 features a a carbon fiber monocoque platform, ceramic brakes, and a carbon fiber suspension.

The new Lotus Exos Type 125 race car is powered by a 3.5-liter Cosworth V8 engine that delivers a total of 650 HP and has a 10,300 rpm redline. The engine is mated to a F1-style semi-automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
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Lotus will be more active than usual during next week’s festivities around the Monterey historic races and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Along with the North American Debuts of the Evora Cup race car (above) and Elise RGB edition, Lotus will give us the world debut of the 125 track car.

The new 125 will be unveiled at the Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion at Laguna Seca this weekend and then reappear several times during the week at various events. Lotus hasn’t given any hints of what to expect from the 125 other than it will be the ultimate customer track and racing experience.
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A collaboration between Lotus Engineering and Fagor Ederlan will develop the Lotus Range Extender Engine for series production.

Lotus Engineering, the automotive consultancy division of Lotus Cars Limited, and Fagor Ederlan, part of the Mondragon Corporation Cooperativa, the biggest co-operative group in the world, have completed a joint technical and market study analysing the best route to production for the Lotus Range Extender Engine. The study has culminated with an agreement for Lotus Engineering to develop the engine for series production and sale by Fagor Ederlan for the global automotive market.

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Yesterday, we received an e-mail from Lotus saying “149 – Sorry, but we’re too busy celebrating to elaborate!” Well, today Lotus told us exactly what 149 means.

“We are delighted to announce that the new 2011 Lotus Elise has just been certified with an outstandingly low emissions figure of 149g of CO2 / km which represents a reduction of 16% over the previous Lotus Elise S,” Lotus said in a statement.

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The most popular Lotus of our time, the Elise, is entering the 2011 model year with a host of updates that include styling and mechanical tweaks as well as the introduction of a new entry-level model with a Toyota-sourced 1.6-liter gasoline engine.

The facelifted model can be recognized by the new fascia up front that boasts a redesigned hood, new bumper with a wider grille, and reshaped headlights featuring LED daytime running lights for the first time.

The restyled rear bumper and engine cover along with the new alloy wheel designs complete the aesthetic upgrades that are said to help improve the Elise’s aerodynamic properties.

More important changes are found under the hood with the 2011 Elise gaining a new entry-level ‘S’ model powered by a Toyota-sourced 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine.

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