Lotus Elise S Cup R is a 217HP Track-Only Toy for Grown Ups

Following the Exige V6 Cup R, Lotus has revealed another track-only car, the Elise S Cup R. The model is the first Elise-based Cup variant to use the supercharged 1.8-liter 2ZR-FE engine from Toyota. Mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, the unit produces 217hp (220PS) and 250 Nm (181 lb-ft) of torque.

Compared to the street-legal Elise S, the S Cup R comes with a bespoke livery and aerodynamic body kit to maximize performance on track. The CFD-proved aero pack includes a front splitter, barge boards, winglets, rear diffuser, floor extensions and rear wing.

The Elise S Cup R also has a motorsport-specific engine control module (ECM), adjustable damper and springs, and a clever manipulation of air-flow to create extra downforce. All these upgrades make the Elise S Cup R 4 seconds faster on a 5-km (3.1-mile) lap over the standard Elise S.

Despite the extra body kit and race-ready additions (roll-cage, fire extinguisher, race seats and more) Lotus Motorsport has managed to maintain the road car’s light weight of 924 kg (2,037 lbs).

The car is eligible for entry to the production class in the 2014 Lotus Cup series which include Lotus Cup UK, Lotus Cup Europe, Lotus Cup Italia, Lotus Cup USA, Lotus Cup Japan, Lotus Cup Thailand, Lotus Cup China and Lotus Ladies Cup.

The Lotus Cup is open to all Lotus owners and their Elise, Exige, Evora, 340R and 2-Eleven. The Elise S Cup R has a selection of bespoke color and trim options, courtesy of the Lotus Design team.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

Lotus Evora Sports Racer is Loaded to the Gills with Features, UK Prices Start at £57,900

What do you do when you’re not having the best time in your (patchy, anyway) history and your new owner has put your new car program on ice? That’s an easy one: you simply roll out a “special” edition of one of your existing models.
The above applies to Lotus that has just launched the “Sports Racer” edition of its Evora mid-engine coupe. So, what is so special about this Evora that makes Lotus claim it’s aimed to serious drivers (sic) that want to get "incredibly excited"?

Lotus Sues Former CEO Dany Bahar for Allegedly Renting Properties, Taking Helicopter Trips and More

When Dany Bahar left Ferrari in 2009 to become Lotus’ new CEO, he knew his main task would be to turn the cash-burning British sports car maker, which at the time was owned by Proton, around.
It took him one year to show the world how he would do it: by launching five new models, including a new Esprit, by 2015 and returning Lotus to profitability by 2014.

Oh Kimi…Raikkonen Feels “Not Much Really” After Winning Abu Dhabi F1 GP

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight, said American actress and comedienne Phyllis Diller who passed away last August. Kimi Raikkonen has his way with curves, especially those in a Formula 1 track, and in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix he set the record straight.
He still won’t smile, though. Not even after claiming victory in Sunday's race leading Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel.
Not even when he beat them driving a Lotus, a car that may be the surprise of the season, but surely doesn’t come close to the prancing horse, never mind the reigning champion’s car.

Lotus Group CEO Reportedly Seeking New Owner for the British Sports Car maker

For the past couple of months, there were rumors circulating that Proton wanted to get rid of its loss-making Lotus unit selling it to either Genii Capital or SAIC. Then, on January 16, the Malaysian carmaker announced that DRB-Hicom had acquired the government's 42.7 percent stake in the company.
Analysts hailed this movement as a win-win situation for both parties. They obviously didn't factor in Lotus CEO Danny Bahar who, according to a report from The Sunday Times citing unnamed sources, is looking for a partner to join him in bidding for a buy-out of the British automaker.

Cars Blogspot

2011 British GP: Red Bull’s Reign Disrupted

None of the usual suspects – aka the drivers of Red Bull or McLaren- occupied the top spot on the podium of the British Grand Prix that took place on Sunday at Silverstone. Instead, the winner was Fernando Alonso, who managed his first win of the season, and 27th overall in his career, making the best both of Ferrari’s obvious progress and the catastrophic pit stop of early leader Sebastian Vettel.

British GP: Red Bull Takes the Front Row in Qualifying with Webber in Pole Position

The unpredictable weather conditions made the qualifying of the British Grand Prix something of a gamble, and the teams weather forecasts were expecting rain during the final session. So everyone made sure that they got out quickly in order to set a fast time before it started to rain again.

Gallery Cars Blogspot

British GP Practice: Massa Shines in the Rain

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa set the quickest time in Friday’s afternoon practice session of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, which takes place this weekend at Silverstone. Just minutes before the beginning of the session, heavy rain started to fall, with all cars staying in the pits for half an hour because of the condition of the track.

Lotus to Replace Evora with Elan in 2017

Lotus’ most recent new sports car, the Evora, will stay into production until at least 2017, when it will be replaced with the new Elan according to the company’s boss Danny Bahar. This changes the initial plan that called for the Evora to be replaced as early as 2012.

Caterham Logos to Appear on Team Lotus’ F1 Cars

It’s funny how things turn out sometimes. In 1973, Caterham, which was founded in the 1960s as a Lotus dealer, acquired the rights to build the Seven from Lotus. Now, Team Lotus has purchased Caterham Cars through a holding company, part owned by Malaysian Tony Fernandes.

Rumors: Lotus Exige to Spawn Rally Car?

Here’s something we weren’t expecting; according to a report from CAR Magazine, Lotus will launch a new rally car at the Frankfurt motor show in September. The rally car -not the one pictured here- will be based on the Exige, which is renowned for its road and track capabilities, but we’ve never imagined it near a rally stage.

F1: Sebastian Vettel takes his 6th Win in Valencia

Sebastian Vettel is on a roll and no one seems able to stop him and his Red Bull from adding a second Formula 1 championship to their trophy list. This was confirmed once again today in the European Grand Prix in Valencia, in the eighth race of the 2011, where Vettel took his sixth win of the season. The German world champion started from the pole position and was never challenged during the race as he cruised to another win.
The only driver to even come close was Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso who started from fourth place and, like his team-mate Felipe Massa, made a terrific start. Alonso had a fight with the Red Bull of Mark Webber who, despite starting from the front row, eventually lost out to the Spaniard who finished the race second, more than 10 seconds behind Vettel.

Join Mercedes GP or Team Lotus for a Day

British fans are getting ready for their National Motorsport Week, and two UK-based Formula 1 teams are each giving two members of the public the unique opportunity to join their pit crews for a day.
Mercedes Petronas GP will randomly select two winners from those who will enter an online competition. The window of opportunity opens today, Monday 20 June, and will close at midnight on Thursday 23 June.

Silverstone Organisers Ask: What is the Best British Sports Car of All Time?

The fifteen finalists in the Silverstone Classic’s, “Best British Sports Car of All Time” vote-in have been announced, and boy is there some choice picks. Before we get to that though, can I just point out a misnomer in using the, “of All Time” qualifier?
This assumes (prophetically?) that Britain will not be making any more sports cars in the future, whereas, “Best British Sports Car So Far” would be a far more accurate description. But enough with semantics: who are our lucky finalists?

Lotus to Kill Elise and Exige for North America in August

If you’re a fan of the lightweight sports cars from Lotus, namely the Elise and its closed-top sibling, the Exige, and live in North America, then you’d better hurry up before the well dries up. That’s because production of the North American spec model will end in August according to a report from Autoblog.
The reasons behind this decision lie in the lack of “smart” airbags, which are now mandatory in the US, along with Toyota’s decision to stop production of its 2ZZ 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder engine that powers US-spec models. The Elise and the Exige will continue to be sold in Europe, as they’re equipped with a new 1.6-liter four-cylinder unit.

Sebastian Vettel Wins Exciting Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix

It has been some time since we last watched such an exciting Formula 1 race as the one held on Sunday at the Istanbul Park circuit. Even though the weather did not play any role and the winner's position was not threatened at any time, it was an eventful race. Behind Sebastian Vettel, who has won three out of four GP’s this year, anything was possible.
Mark Webber crossed the finish line in second place, with the Australian managing to overtake Ferrari's Alonso with seven laps to go, after the Spaniard held the second position for a large part of the race. Still, for Alonso and Ferrari, this is the best result so far this season.

F1’s Team Lotus Acquires British Sportscar Maker Caterham

The owners of Formula One Team Lotus announced today the acquisition of lightweight sportscar manufacturer Caterham, for an undisclosed sum from the shareholder consortium led by Corven Ventures.
Based in England, Caterham has made a name for itself for building the Seven, a lightweight two-seater sports car that was designed by Lotus founder Colin Chapman and who sold the rights of the car to Caterham in 1973.
Team Lotus chiefs Tony Fernandes, Kamarudin Meranun and SM Nasarudin said in a statement that the company plans to expand Caterham’s profile and product family while also continuing the development of the Seven.

Robert Kubica Discharged from Hospital, Still a Long Way Before F1 Return

Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica has left the Santa Corona hospital in Italy where he had spent the last 11 weeks after a scary rally accident. According to a hospital statement, the Polish driver is in good condition and will soon begin rehab. “He will carry on being monitored by the Santa Corona doctors who had him in their care through scheduled appointments," the hospital said in a press statement.