When Lotus shifted focus to its successful Formula 1 program in the '70s, interesting projects such as Type 66 had to be canned. Some fifty years later, the project has been reborn and Lotus claims that the limited-edition performance model is on par with modern GT3 race cars.
Powering the new Type 66 is a "period-representative" V8 push-rod engine mounted in the middle for optimized handling. Power output hasn't been finalized, but Lotus aims to make more than 830 horsepower at 8,800 rpm and 550 lb-ft of torque at 7,400 rpm.
Modern features that weren't available decades ago are installed, including electric power steering, an ABS braking system, a sequential racing transmission, and an anti-stall multi-plate clutch. Drivers will also get a modernized driver compartment and a fixed rollover bar.
"This is a truly unique project and in our 75th anniversary year it's the perfect gift from Lotus to fans worldwide and to a handful of customers."
In the design department led by Lotus design director Russell Carr, the team digitalized Clive Chapman's ¼ and 1/10th scale drawings and created 3D renders. With more than 1,000 hours of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) work, the new Type 66 bears a classic design with modern aerodynamic bits.