Lotus has developed a Formula One-style track day car known as the 125.
It's packing a 3.5-litre 640bhp Cosworth V8 with 332lb.ft of torque and a 10,300rpm redline. Performance figures have yet to be announced, but with a dry weight of 560kg, brisk acceleration is a given.
The Lotus 125 wears a rather large price tag of £650,000 and is pitched squarely at wealthy playboy types who are keen on an authentic Formula One experience.
Only 25 examples of the 125 will be built at Lotus HQ in Hethel, Norfolk. If all goes to plan, the first 10 examples will reach their owners in April.
Owners will gain access to an exclusive Lotus organisation called the Exos club. Patrons will enjoy a series of special events at circuits around Europe with training from F1 drivers like Jarno Trulli and hints and tips from mechanics, engineers and fitness gurus.
The car and the club are the brainchild of the company's recently appointed CEO Dany Bahar, who is keen to restore Lotus to its motorsport glory days.
Bahar is also expected to reveal his future plans for Lotus road cars at the
Paris Motor Show next month - rumour has it that he'll be taking a much more upmarket approach.
Jack Carfrae - 10 Aug 2010