Lotus reveals ultra-rare Type 66 track car

Lotus has unveiled the Type 66 track-only vehicle and confirmed that it will go into production soon.

The company had the model’s world premiere at the “The Quail, A Motorsport Gathering” as part of Monterey Car Week in the United States.

In a statement, the company shared that the new, ultra-exclusive low-volume car brings to life a “lost Lotus” drawing board program from its world-renowned motorsport heritage and combines it with today’s state-of-the-art racing technology and components.

According to Lotus, the Type 66 has been launched in Lotus’ 75th anniversary year and serves as a testament to its desire to reimagine the best elements of its heritage, updating them in the most exhilarating way possible.

The Type 66 project was originally designed in the late 60s by Lotus draughtsman Geoff Ferris. However, the design never went beyond technical drawings and scale models. “In a fitting tribute to the brand’s illustrious racing pedigree and heritage, Lotus has proudly fulfilled the original vision 53 years after the designer first put pen to paper.”

In addition, Lotus noted that only 10 examples will be produced — to commemorate the number of races the Type 66 would have participated in during the 1970 season. Each example is expected to cost north of £1 million (more than P71.8 million).

“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,” Lotus Advanced Performance Executive Director Simon Lane said.

 “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,” he added.

Lotus attributed the realization of the Type 66 project to Classic Team Lotus Managing Director Clive Chapman — son of Lotus founder Colin Chapman. Lotus said that the documents he was able to safekeep allowed the Lotus Design team to bring the car to life.

“The car shares 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 allowed space for a front wing. This would have been unique in Can-Am in the 1970 season. In addition, the rear of the car would have been very distinctive, 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 quite a car,” he noted.

Relatedly, Chapman confirmed if the vehicle was built then, Lotus F1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi would have driven it.

Old design reimagined

While it bore the designs of the original project, Lotus said that it has “delicately reinterpreted” some features to “conform to modern safety standards and to ensure 21st century driver confidence.” The new features to the vehicle include a modernized passenger compartment, inboard fuel cell, sequential transmission and anti-stall system. Everything is contained in a full carbon fiber bodyshell.

Further, Lotus said that the front wing was designed to channel air from the front of the car, through and underneath the rear wings, generating more downforce than the vehicle’s total weight at full speed.

“We are incredibly proud to have completed such a unique project, and one that Colin Chapman was personally involved in. There is a real delicacy in remastering the past. This is not a re-edition or a restomod, but a completely new breed of Lotus – a commitment that our past glories will continue to be reflected in our future,” Lotus Design Director Russell Carr said.

Mounted in the middle of the Lotus Type 66 is a V8 push-rod engine that can deliver more than 838 horsepower and 746 Newton-meters of torque. Sitting on top of the mill is the iconic Can-Am-inspired air intake.

Moreover, the track car features modern comforts such as an EPASS motorsport power steering column, a sequential racing gearbox with reverse, race-tuned anti-lock braking system, anti-stall multi-plate clutch and a fixed rollover bar. 

Photos from Lotus

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