Lotus Esprit GT 2

Lotus Esprit GT2

The Lotus Esprit GT2, Type 114, was a works-developed Lotus, run in the GT2 category of the Karcher Global Endurance GT Championship. It was run for 4 hours at Donnington and was one of the world's most prestigious and competitive sportscar championships. Not since 1969 had Lotus run a works-entry car in a GT sports car category. The Esprit GT2 was raced against Porsche 911s, McLarens, Honda NSXs, Ferrari F40s amongst many other GT supercars. The Lotus team Drivers were Alessandro Zanardi and Alex Portman. The Esprit GT2 ran a 400bhp version of the Sport 300 engine, with enhanced aerodynamics, giving 30% more downforce than the S300 road car.

Lotus_Esprit_S300_GT2

The Esprit GT2 out classed all other cars in it's series. Zanardi was able to drive around the outside of the other GT2 competitors at Donington. At the time Zanardi said he loved the Esprit's natural balance and ability to carry speed through a corner. He said "The GT2 is a fantastic racer, in wet or dry." The Esprit simply drove away from the other GT2 competitors, despite having up to 100bhp less than the cars in its class. However the Hewland G300 gearbox failed just 8 minutes from the finish dashing Lotus's hopes of a historic maiden history.

Lotus Esprit GT2

Lotus Esprit Racing car

Lotus_Esprit_GT2

Lotus Esprit

Esprit GT2

LOTUS ESPRIT GT2 SPECIFICATION

ENGINE

Lotus 910S turbocharged and intercooled engine

Max power: 400bhp @ 7200rpm

Specific output: 184bhp per litre

Power to weight: 436bhp per tonne

Capacity: 2174cc, 4 cylinders in line Bore/stroke: 95/77mm

Valves: 4 per cylinder, dohc

Carburation: Electronic fuel injection

Fuel tank: 100 litres

GEARBOX

Hewland DG300 straight-cut 5-speed manual

SUSPENSION

Front: Double wishbones, Penske coil springs / dampers, anti-roll bar

Rear: Twin lateral links and trailing arms, Penske coil springs / dampers, anti-roll bar

CHASSIS

Steel backbone with intergral role cage

STEERING

Rack and pinion, unassisted

BRAKES

AP Racing discs and calipers

Front: 330mm ventilated discs, 6-pot calipers Rear: 330mm ventilated discs, 4-pot calipers

WHEELS

Oz Size: 9x18 (f) 11x18 (r) Made of magnesium

TYRES

Michelin Pilot SX slicks 24/64 -18 (front), 27/65 -18 (rear)

WEIGHT

917kg

BODY

Fibre Glass / Epoxy shell with carbon fibre closing panels

DIMENSIONS

Length: 4300mm

Width: 1950mm

Height: 1100mm

Wheelbase: 2440mm

Lotus

www.lotusespritturbo.com