2024 Lotus Type 66

Lotus has taken the covers off a new track-only car called the Type 66, an extremely exclusive machine that will match modern GT3 race cars around some of the world's most famous circuits. This new track weapon comes more than 50 years after the original Type 66 project - conceived to see Lotus enter the Can-Am Series - was shelved. From its heritage-inspired livery to its period-representative V8 push-rod engine that will make over 830 horsepower, the new Lotus Type 66 open-top race car honors the past while taking advantage of modern technologies to deliver exceptional aerodynamics. A mere ten examples of the Type 66 will be produced, and each will cost well over $1 million.

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The release date for the Lotus Type 66 is unspecified, but we hope to see the first examples come to life sometime in 2024. With its V8 engine, the Type 66 is coming out at an interesting time as Lotus pivots to an electric lineup; the new Emira was supposed to be the brand's last gas-powered sports car until this Type 66 was shown.

An exact price wasn't announced for the 2024 Lotus Type 66, with the manufacturer only saying it will cost over £1 million - around $1.26 million at the time of writing.

Rivals aren't exactly plentiful when talking track-only cars at these prices, but not long before the Type 66 was revealed, Maserati debuted its MCXtrema. 62 models will be made, and it will also have a seven-figure price. There is also the Ford GT Mk IV that has over 800 hp and an MSRP of around $1.7 million in the USA.

Simon Lane, executive director at Lotus Advanced Performance, said that the Type 66 "takes drivers back in time," and we can't argue with that statement based on the car's blast-from-the-past appearance. The colors of the Lotus Type 66 include white, red, and gold graphics that are period-correct, and the overall design is very similar to the car that might've been produced over 50 years ago.

Scale drawings from Clive Chapman (son of Lotus founder Colin Chapman, who spearheaded the original Type 66 project) were digitized to bring the new car to life. True to Colin Chapman's early designs, the car looks as if its only goal is to cut through the air as efficiently as possible.

It has a low frontal area that forms part of a full carbon fiber bodyshell. The front wing directs air from the front, through the car, and under the rear wing. This concept of air traveling through a car and not merely around it is a Lotus signature element and can also be seen on the Emira, Eletre, and Evija. On the 2024 Type 66, the aerodynamic body generates greater downforce than the car's weight at full speed. In fact, 1,000 hours of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) work went into the modern Type 66, with over 1,760 pounds of downforce at 150 mph. A fixed rollover bar is also installed.

One of the Lotus Type 66 exterior's most striking features is the air intake 'trumpets' above the engine, inspired by Can-Am. These smooth out the air intake, allowing for laminar flow, and contributing to smoother power delivery. Dual exhaust outlets are situated at the back.

The length, width, and height of the Lotus Type 66 were not shared, so its dimensions remain a mystery. We'd love to see the height difference between the ultra-low front and the tall rear as the bodywork dramatically rises skyward and culminates in the tall wing.

We also don't know what the curb weight is, although Lotus might've given us a clue by suggesting that it generates more downforce than its weight at top speed. We know that it develops over 1,760 lbs of downforce at 150 mph, but whether this is the Type 66's top speed isn't explicitly clear. It's obvious that the Type 66 will be an incredibly light racer for something with so much power.

The mid-mounted period-representative engine in the Lotus Type 66 is a V8 push-rod unit. Lotus is targeting outputs of over 830 horsepower at 8,800 rpm and over 550 lb-ft of torque at 7,400 rpm. Modern components like a forged crank, rod, and pistons help the V8 deliver these impressive outputs.

Other advancements since the original Type 66 was sketched all those years ago include an EPASS motorsport power steering column, a race ABS braking system, and an anti-stall multi-plate clutch. The transmission is a sequential racing unit with a reverse gear. No 0-60 mph times have been claimed, but the Type 66 should comfortably accomplish this run in under three seconds. A speed of 150 mph was mentioned, but we're sure the Type 66 is capable of going even faster.

Other technical specs will only be published at a later stage, but Lotus says the Type 66 matches the lap times of a modern GT3 race car. Simulator work hints that on certain circuits like Laguna Seca, the Type 66 could be even quicker than a modern GT3 car.

Being a race car, gas mileage is entirely irrelevant. We can only presume that the Type 66's powerful V8 will be a heavy drinker, perhaps achieving around 13 mpg or so. The tank size and range are unknown.

A modernized driver compartment has been implemented for the Lotus Type 66's interior. A very rudimentary environment, the driver faces a classic three-spoke steering wheel. Behind the steering wheel are five analog gauges for things like speed and the oil level. On the right is a short gear stick for the transmission, and that's it. There is nothing else inside the cabin to distract the driver.

There aren't two seats in the Lotus Type 66 so no friends can come along for a joy ride, and without any driver aids or flashy touchscreens to detract from the driving experience, piloting this car will likely be an incredibly intimate experience.

Cargo space in the Lotus Type 66 is as important as gas mileage, which is to say, not very important at all. This is a pure race car through and through.