Lotus unveils new GT

Malaysian-owned Brit-based sportscar manufacturer, Lotus, has published details of its new GT two months ahead of its expected launch.

Due to be unveiled officially at the Geneva Motor Show in February 2006, the new GT will resurrect the Europa model name last used by Lotus in the early 1970s.

Says Lotus, the two-seater is aimed at providing "customers with a spectacular sports car featuring higher levels of practicality and refinement to complement the simplicity of the high performance Lotus Elise and Exige models."

Officially dubbed the Europa S (and code-named Sepang) during its development, the car  has been allocated a separate Lotus type number of (Type 121) from the Elise and Exige series (Type 111) upon which it is based. That said, the maker is adamant it wil follow the core Lotus philosophy of performance through light weight. The GT is tipped to hit the road at under 1000kg.

Lotus managing director, Clive Dopson, says the introduction of a GT car represents both an "important and unique addition to the Lotus product range."

"The Europa S re-affirms our position as an innovative player in the highly competitive sports car market and allows Lotus to extend its product appeal beyond our traditional customer base, as well as providing yet another demonstration of the key Lotus brand attributes and high levels of quality for which we are particularly proud,” said Dopson.

The Europa S features a development of the extruded and bonded aluminium chassis that under pins the Elise. Body panels are composite and unique to the Europa S. Its design features has a larger boot and luggage compartment and easier cabin access compared to the Elise and Exige.

The improved access has been made possible as a result of  the Europa’s lower chassis sides and a higher roofline.

The Europa S will also boast significantly improved NVH coupled with luxuries such as full leather interior, driver and passenger SRS airbags and carpets all as standard.

The new mid-engined coupe will be powered by a high-torque two-litre, turbo four engine producing 149kW/263Nm.

Claims Lotus, the Europa S delivers 90 per cent of its maximum torque at just 2000rpm propelling the car from 0 -100km/h in 5.5sec and 160 km/h in 14sec. Maximum speed is predicted in the 225km/h range. seconds.

Production of the Lotus Europa S is scheduled to commence in July 2006. Final pricing and full specifications will be announced closer to the on-sale date.