Lotus T125 Rich Boy Toy - Anyone Know Details?

[generationx]

A couple of years ago Lotus Cars launched a formula 1-like car which customers could use in a similar way to the FXX series of Ferraris:

http://www.lotuscars.com/racing/lotus-type-125

They were planning to sell 25 of them at about $1M.

There's no REAL detail about the engine or transmission, just that it's a Cosworth-developed V8 with a 6-speed gearbox.

Does anyone know any more actual facts about this, especially technical?

[AndreaModa]

Does anyone know any more actual facts about this, especially technical?

Scroll down the page and all the technical specs are there...

PERFORMANCE
Max power 640 hp at 10,000 rpm
Max torque 450 Nm at 7,600 rpm
Max engine revs 11,000 rpm push-to-pass
Fuel rating 102 RON
Engine position Longitudinal mis, structurally mounted
Unladen vehicle mass 590 kg, dry

ENGINE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Designation Cosworth GPV8
Duty cycle type 4 stroke reciprocating piston, naturally aspirated
Configuration 8 cylinders in banked 'V' configuration at a 90 degree angle
Construction Cast aluminium alloy cylinder block and heads, forged aluminium pistons, steel crankshaft
Capacity 3,800 cc
Valves 32
Power 640 hp
Maximum speed Limited to 11,000 rpm
Timing Double overhead cams driven via compliant gearing from crankshaft
Mass 135 kg
Fuelling 8 injectors supplied by a pressurised system at 100 bar
Ignition 8 ignition coils each driving single spark plug
Engine control unit Pectel SQ6
Lubrication Dry sump

VEHICLE SPECIFICATION
Engine V8, 3.8 litre DOHC, naturally aspirated, dry sump. Longitudinal mid-mounted
Gearbox Longitudinal layout, dog engagement
Shift pattern R-N-1-2-3-4-5-6
Gearshift Semi-automatic, paddle shift, pneumatic actuation, auto throttle blip/ ignition cut
Clutch Triple plate, sintered clutch

CHASSIS SPECIFICATION
Length 4,904 mm
Width 1,900 mm
Height 960 mm
Material Carbon composite, Nomex core and aluminium core construction, auto clave cure. Carbon composite body panels. Nomex core construction
Suspension Double wishbone arrangment, spring actuated via push rod and rocker arrangement. Adjustable ride height and camber. Dampers 2-way adjustable. Front and rear anti-roll bars blade type adjustment
Brake system Carbon ceramic, split front and rear system, twin master cylinders with front and rear bias adjustment, front caliper single piece 6 pot opposing piston, rear caliper: single piece 4 pot opposing piston
Fuel system FIA approved fuel cell, internal fuel pump, engine mounted pressure regulator, 75 litres, quick release connections to engine
Cooling Water cooling aluminium construction radiator left-hand-side only, oil cooling twin radiator cooling engine and gearbox right-hand-side oil
Wheels Front 12 x 13 Rear 14 x 13

SAFETY SYSTEMS
Fire system cockpit and engine bay nozzles FIA approved system
Seat belts 4-point harness minimum, quick release quarter turn buckle
Headrest to comply with FIA regulations
Front rear crash structures

[stubeck]

I wonder if its no longer around because when Caterham went out of business, you could buy a fully build car for around 100k? I know that tubs were going for only a few thousand quid.

[mobiusone]

IIRC what your talking about Top Gear did a segment on it with Jeremy about 4 or 5 years ago

[generationx]

Direct quote from the website

Hi Andrea,

Yes I had managed that. I wanted to know what the engine was based on (it seems unlikely Lotus could afford to develop a brand new engine? Did it have pneumatic valves which are very complex systems for private owners?) and who manufactured the gearbox. Just about all the facts on the website could have been guessed about most race V8s and reading the words in the main text.

@ Mobius: The Lotus site includes Clarkson's drive.

[orcatkt]

IIRC what your talking about Top Gear did a segment on it with Jeremy about 4 or 5 years ago

They did, set a 1:02 or something around the test track. Can't even begin to explain how much I want one after seeing it drive!! If only, ah well, at least I have my models

[generationx]

I've found some more info - the engine was based on the cosworth XG series of Indy engine, non-turbo in this case. Still trying to find out about the gearbox!

[MoFo]

http://blog.caranddriver.com/lotus-unve ... track-car/

[generationx]

http://blog.caranddriver.com/lotus-unve ... track-car/

Great, so it's Ricardo. Thanks MoFo!