The Lotus Sport Exige GT3 entrant has been developed by Lotus Sport, the performance arm
of Lotus Cars and is a derivative of the standard Lotus Exige coupe model. Weighing in at
approximately 750 kg, it stays true to the ¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec¢®E¡Ëc¢®¡×¡Ë¢çperformance through light weight¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec¢®E¡Ëc¢®¡×u core Lotus
philosophy. The car uses a race prepared 1.8 2ZZ-GE VVTL-i engine with a Roots type
supercharger and air to air intercooler which utilises the Lotus T4e Engine Control Unit to
produce 285 hp (289 PS) at 7,800 rpm. This gives an impressive power to weight ratio of 380
hp / tonne or 2.6 kg / PS.

Following a brief shakedown programme at the Lotus Test Track at Hethel, factory test driver
Gavan Kershaw carried out final chassis set up work on wet tyres in the morning session at the
Paul Ricard official FIA test. This was followed by an outing on slick tyres on a drying track by
FIA nominated test driver Christophe Bouchut.

Commenting on the encouraging test session, Chris Arnold, General Manager of Lotus Sport,
explained: ¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec¢®E¡Ëc¢®¡×¡Ë¢çWe were delighted to attend the official FIA test session. Considering the car was
still on the drawing board two months ago it¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec?s a fantastic achievement by the team to complete
the build in such a short time. We knew this test would be a first shakedown for the car on
slicks and I¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec?m very pleased with the results. Our winter development programme starts with a
wind tunnel test just before Christmas followed by further work in preparation for the next FIA
test in March.¡Ë¢çE¢®Ec¢®E¡Ëc¢®¡×u

The FIA has announced a five race European championship for the new GT3 class with rounds
in the UK, Germany, Belgium, France and Italy. Various national GT Championships are also
considering amending their regulations to include a GT3 class.
Basic prototype specification.

Like the standard Exige, the Lotus Sport Exige GT3 comes complete with the award-winning
light weight bonded aluminium chassis. This is complemented by low weight 5-spoke forged
alloy wheels, carbon body panels, and a revised high downforce aerodynamic package
incorporating a race front splitter and adjustable carbon fibre rear wing.

An FIA 6-point roll cage, ignition kill switches, and uprated braking and suspension systems
including Ohlins 3-way adjustable dampers also feature on the new race car. A 6-speed
sequential transmission system, and full data logging system have been fitted to the singleseater
prototype vehicle.

Availability, full specification, and price of the Lotus Sport Exige GT3 will be announced in early 2006.