Lotus unveils classic racer-inspired Type 49 and 79 Exige

Lotus has revealed two new special-editions based on its Exige at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK, paying tribute to the car-maker's illustrious motor racing past.

Created by the British sports car maker's new bespoke department, Lotus Exclusive, the Exige Type 49 and 79 are claimed to help celebrate 70 years of Lotus.

The first, the Exige Type 49, is said to mark 50 years since Graham Hill won both the Formula 1 drivers' and constructors' world championships in the Lotus Type 49 race car.

The second, the Exige Type 79, has been created to celebrate 40 years since Mario Andretti won his world championship and constructors' title in a Lotus Type 79.

Both are based on the car-maker's latest Exige Cup 430 that recently broke the lap record at Lotus' famed Hethel test track.

Beneath the skin, the 316kW/440Nm supercharged 3.5-litre V6 carries over unchanged and remains capable of launching the Exige to 100km/h in just 3.2 seconds before topping out at 290km/h.

Speaking at the unveiling and the company’s 70th anniversary, Group Lotus newly installed CEO Feng Qingfeng said: "Lotus is an iconic British brand and its contribution to both the world of motorsport, and development of sports car as we know them today, is undeniable."

Lotus began life back in 1948 when founder Colin Chapman built his first race car based on a 1930s Austin Seven in a small London garage, although it wasn't until 1952 until the light-weight obsessive formed the Lotus Engineering Company.