Lotus Type 66: Resurrecting a Glorious Legacy with Timeless Design and Thrilling, Cutting-Edge Performance
In a moment of profound automotive resurgence, the illustrious British marque Lotus has summoned the echoes of history with an unveiling so transcendent that it has left the motoring world agog. Behold the Type 66, a track-bound masterpiece, a symphony of power and artistry resurrected from the annals of time. At the sun-drenched zenith of the Monterey Car Week, against the backdrop of the Californian dreamscape, 'The Quail, A Motorsport Gathering' bore witness to the phoenix-like resurrection of this vehicular wonder.
The Type 66, the embodiment of design genius and mechanical prowess, emerges as a beacon of a new era in the annals of automotive excellence. A creation born of the marriage between Lotus's storied motorsport heritage and the cutting-edge technology of our time, this four-wheeled enigma is nothing short of a motoring odyssey.
Seventy-five years of Lotus's storied existence find their apotheosis in this hallowed machine. A testament to the brand's unwavering commitment to rekindling the flames of its glorious past while infusing it with the pulsating heartbeat of the present day.
In a poetic twist of fate, we find ourselves rewinding the clock to the visionary days of Colin Chapman, Lotus's founding visionary. Chapman entrusted the inception of the Type 66 to the capable hands of Geoff Ferris, a Team Lotus draughtsman. Their ambition was audacious: to weave Lotus's design principles seamlessly into the high-octane tapestry of the Can-Am Series. However, this vision remained confined to technical blueprints and scale models, as Chapman's primary devotion lay with Formula 1. Over five decades later, Lotus resurrects this vision as a poignant homage to its racing heritage.
The Type 66 stands as a testament to exclusivity, with just ten exemplars set to materialise – a number that mirrors the ten races the original Type 66 would have contested during the 1970 season. It's as if the spirits of history have conspired to weave their intricate tales in the threads of this limited production marvel.
As the Type 66 takes its maiden steps into the spotlight, it is garbed in a livery that evokes the nostalgia of a bygone era. A triad of colours, red, white, and gold, adorns its flanks, a palette reminiscent of the glorious Lotus racing cars of the early Seventies. This livery could have easily graced the original Type 66, sharing its stage with the iconic Lotus Type 72 F1 machine that once reigned supreme.
But this exclusivity comes at a price that sails past the £1 million mark for each of these bespoke creations. A price tag that echoes the symphony of craftsmanship and innovation woven into the very fabric of the Type 66.
Simon Lane, Lotus's Executive Director of Advanced Performance, speaks of the Type 66 as a harmonious blend of past and present. It transports its fortunate pilots to an era where racing was a raw, visceral spectacle. At the same time, it bestows upon them the technological marvels of the 21st century.
Integral to the journey of the Type 66 is Clive Chapman, the torchbearer of a dynasty and the Managing Director of Classic Team Lotus. It was his meticulous documentation that breathed life into this long-lost dream.
Clive hints at the Type 66's shared lineage with Lotus's most triumphant F1 chassis, the Type 72, from the same era. His words conjure images of side-mounted radiators reducing front drag, elevating front downforce, and sculpting the winds for optimal aerodynamic dance. The Type 66's rear design winks at the endurance racers of Le Mans, whispering of exceptional downforce, unparalleled stability, and record-breaking lap times. It's a tantalising glimpse into what might have been, a vision now resurrected in the present-day Type 66.
In the alternate reality where the Type 66 roared to life, the legendary Brazilian driver, Emerson Fittipaldi, would have undoubtedly graced its cockpit. Fittipaldi, a symbol of Lotus's racing pedigree, was pivotal in unveiling this automotive marvel at The Quail event.
With over fifty years of technological advancement, the Lotus Type 66 emerges as a phoenix reborn. Russell Carr, Lotus's Design Director, and his team harnessed the power of state-of-the-art computer software to breathe life into Clive Chapman's scale drawings, crafting immersive 3D renders that unveil new dimensions of this machine's beauty. It's a nod to Colin Chapman's original vision, with a cockpit designed to slice through the air like a blade, channelling every ounce of performance.
But this reincarnation doesn't merely pay homage; it advances the legacy. Modern safety standards and driver confidence took centre stage, with innovations like an inboard fuel cell, a sequential transmission, and an anti-stall system seamlessly woven into the fabric of Type 66. All are encased within a carbon fibre body that's as light as resilient.
The front wing design, a meticulously crafted marvel, funnels air from the car's front through to the underbelly of the rear wings. It's a dance of air, a hallmark of Lotus's design philosophy, witnessed in other models like the Emira sports car, the Eletre SUV, and the Evija hypercar. This machine is designed to slice through the atmosphere, not merely contend with it.
Russell Carr's words resonate with the depth of this endeavour. It's not just a revival; it's a rebirth. The Type 66 represents a new chapter in Lotus's storied history, an unswerving commitment to ensuring the past is a vibrant thread in the tapestry of its future.
The Lotus DNA, steeped in the mystique of optimised aerodynamics for 75 years, is brought to the fore with the Type 66. Over a thousand hours of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis have culminated in an astonishing 800kg of downforce at 150mph. It's a leap forward that bridges the gap between history and progress, between nostalgia and innovation.
But this is not merely a vision on paper; it's a machine honed on the world's racetracks. From Laguna Seca to Silverstone, Fuji to Spa, the Type 66 has left its indelible mark. It now rivals the lap times of modern GT3 race cars, a testament to the relentless pursuit of perfection.
At the core of the Type 66 throbs a V8 push-rod engine that captures the essence of its era. Nestled mid-ship for perfect balance, Lotus has breathed life into it, coaxing over 830bhp at 8,800rpm*. Modern components, like an aluminium forged crank, rods, and pistons, fuel a torque that surges beyond 746 Nm at 7,400rpm*. The unmistakable Can-Am-inspired air intake 'trumpets' grace the engine, offering a streamlined intake for the gods of combustion.
This marriage of history and innovation extends to the chassis, a relic of a bygone era, born anew. Extruded aluminium sections, bonded joints, and honeycomb panels sing the song of a time when craftsmanship was the heart of engineering. Modern features like an EPASS motorsport power steering column, a sequential racing gearbox with reverse, a race ABS braking system, an anti-stall multi-plate clutch and a fixed rollover bar ensure the Type 66 is not just a relic but a living, breathing legend.
As the world holds its breath, the Type 66 is poised to grace the Concept Lawn at the August Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 20th. It's a moment in time, a bridge between eras, and a symbol of Lotus's relentless pursuit of excellence, etched forever into the annals of automotive history.
