Lotus’ Clive Chapman, son of founder Colin Chapman, and the British carmaker has revealed the Type 66, limited-edition retrospective Can-Am inspired track car which claims to match current GT3 performance.
This project was showcased at an exhibition called ‘The Quail, A Motorsport Gathering’ at the Monterey Car Week in California, USA.
Only 10 examples of the track-only Type 66 will be made, each set to cost in excess of £1 million, a number selected as the amount of sportscar Can-Am races it would have competed in 1970.
Marking the 75th anniversary this year, Lotus has claimed this ‘lost’ track car matches the performance of a modern GT3 car, owing to contemporary engineering feats.
Simon Lane, Executive Director, Lotus Advanced Performance, said: “The Type 66 perfectly blends the past and present.
“It takes drivers back in time to the iconic design, sound and pure theatre of motorsport more than 50 years ago, with added 21st century performance and safety.
“This is a truly unique project and in our 75th anniversary year it’s the perfect gift from Lotus, to fans worldwide and to a handful of customers.”
Aerodynamically, the combined effort of front and rear wings enables the Type 66 to generate more downforce than its 800 kg weight at full speed.
The engine is a period-characteristic mid-mounted V8 push-rod engine, which is targeted to produce in excess of 830 hp at 8,800 rpm and torque of more than 746 Nm at 7,400 rpm.
As part of modern advancements, aluminium has been used throughout the car such as within the engine’s Can-Am-inspired air intake ‘trumpets’, and the chassis’ extruded aluminium sections, bonded joints and aluminium honeycomb to ensure optimum handling.
Lane expanded on the retrospective aesthetics of the Type 66, which masked a contemporary substructure underneath.
“While the visual expression is strikingly similar to what could have been – including the period-correct white, red and gold graphics – the technology and mechanical underpinnings of the Lotus Type 66 represent the very best in today’s advanced racing performance.”
“The car would have shared many innovative features with our most successful F1 chassis, the Lotus Type 72, which was developed during the same era.
“These include side-mounted radiators which helped reduce front drag, increase front downforce and channel airflow through and over the car.”
Through ‘driver-in-the-loop’ simulator testing, Lotus has determined the Type 66 as competitive to current GT3 pace, setting lap times around Laguna Seca, Silverstone, Fuji and Spa which suggest its promising performance capabilities.
The Lotus Type 66 also features a modernised driver compartment, inboard fuel cell, sequential transmission, an ABS and an anti-stall system, all contained within a full carbon fibre body shell as part of modern safety regulations.
“The rear of the car incorporates a distinctive tail section, resembling the Le Mans endurance cars of the period.
“These features would have boosted its downforce considerably, compared to rivals, aiding high-speed stability and ultimately its lap times.
“It would have been spectacular, as is the actual Type 66 we see today.”
