The latest and most extreme racing variant of the Evora will make its public debut at the Lotus Festival this August, just weeks after its unveiling.
The Lotus Evora GX has been built to meet the requirements of North America’s GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series. Like the GTC version, carbon-fibre doors, roof and engine cover have replaced the SMC and RTM composite panels of the previous evolution GT4 Enduro, and Plexiglass replaces the polycarbonate windows in order to trim yet more weight off what is already a very light car. At 1,150kg, it tips the scales at just 10kg over the weight of the GTC model, despite being fitted with the much thicker US-spec roll cage.
Aerodynamically the GX features a new front splitter and front bumper, plus the standard Rolex Series rear wing which, along with the car’s wide wheels and flared arches, give it very mean stance.
To meet other series requirements, ABS and traction control have been removed, putting more emphasis on driver skill. There’s also a new fuel filler system, Continental tyres, and yellow headlamps in order to tick all the race series specific boxes. The 4-litre V6 continues to pump out 440bhp and 440Nm of torque, linked to an XTRAC six-speed sequential paddle-shift.
Later this year the Evora will race under the Rolex Series’ GT rule, ahead of the GX rules, which will be introduced in 2013. The $335,000 car has already been ordered by McMahon Raceworks with Condor Motorsport and more are expected to be entered in the coming months.
You can see what other Lotus Motorsport cars will be at the Festival HERE.
