subject: Lotus's Confusion [print this page] Lotus's Confusion centers are so uncommon only twenty automobiles will be made. The Lotus Exos Type a hundred twenty five race vehicle. This automobile is going for a awesome million and that contains a training program taught by former F-1 drivers.
Lotus Automobiles, the renowned British manufacturer of sports activities and racing cars, isn't associated to the Lotus F1 crew. Wait - what?
The F1 team is, despite christening similarity, not owned by Lotus Cars. It is owned by a Malaysian consortium, which, confusingly, has Proton, the owner with the British Lotus, as a member. Bamboozled? So is Lotus Cars. Their new track toy, the Lotus Exos Type a hundred twenty five race car, screams F1 from top to bottom. Uh - Lotus? You're not F1. But following viewing this slim, gorgeous blue and black rocket, it appears Lotus's infringement really should be forgiven.
A few pick business insiders and automotive enthusiasts snapped a sneak peek at the 125 in the Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion. Lotus presented the a hundred twenty five in the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance for its worldwide debut.
Lotus didn't mince words during presentation. It claimed, "The Lotus one hundred twenty five is becoming engineered and developed to provide its choose number of owners the absolute ultimate in a trackdriving and racing experience." Number of homeowners? That's correct; numerous filthy rich aficionados - with the right connections, of program - will have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to purchase the 125 and join the Exos Racing program, a 5-race coaching program taught by previous F1 drivers. The training begins in 2011. To obtain in, shell out $1 million. How several tickets? As many as there are vehicles: twenty-five.
The 125 sneers at posh accoutrements like stereos and heated cupholders. Its 3.5-ltier Cosworth GPV8 sports a mind-blowing 10,300 rpm redline and packs 650-hp. The engine is set at the back with the one,433-lb vehicle, which is constructed from a carbon fiber monocoque chassis with ceramic brakes, a carbon fiber pushrod suspension, downforce inducing wings, paddle shifters and an interior multi-function control screen. The cabin is really a close rendition of an actual F1 cabin, which looks incredibly cold but may possibly prove unpleasant for those employed to heated and cooled synthetic leather seats.
This all begs the question, why? Why spend so a lot time, cash and publicity on a restricted edition automobile with a mere twenty-five owners? Rumors abound that Lotus is merely attempting to circumvent the F1 in-season testing ban, but most likely, Lotus is basically advertising. After all, what might be cooler than taught the tricks from the track by former F1 drivers? And if the driver's seat is slightly unpleasant, the 1 million spent for it ought to make it feel spectacular.
