Rally Lotus?

From AutoGuide.com

According to the press release, Lotus is considering a FIA Rally effort with their new Exige R-GT. (Though only for Tarmac events)

Here's a snippet of the release-

Lotus says: Exige R-GT: What better way to demonstrate Lotus’ superior ride and handling than by re-entering the adrenaline filled Rally Championships? Showcasing the new Exige S’ phenomenal performance, the Exige R-GT will participate in the newly formed FIA GT category of the FIA Rally Championship on asphalt in Monte Carlo, Tour de Corse and San Remo. Powered by the same V6 3.5 litre engine as the new road Exige, significant changes have been made to the gearbox and the restrictors on the engine in order to control the power. Lotus will initially partner with several customer teams following the tried and tested method in which Lotus entered IndyCar and returned to Le Mans. For Group Lotus’ Director of Motorsport Claudio Berro the return to rally has an extra special meaning: “My motorsport career started in rally, in fact, I even took part in the Talbot Sunbeam Lotus’ Italian Rally championship winning a race in San Marino back in 1981 so this is a very nostalgic moment for me. As we unveiled the car in Frankfurt, alongside the original championship winning car, I had the chance to get back inside and the smell was exactly the same – it brought back many happy memories for me.” “With the new R-GT rules in rally, it’s a very interesting time for us to return to the sport. Naturally our approach this time around will be different to when we won the championship three decades ago, but I think our philosophy is definitely the same, we want to compete and ultimately we want to win. Our new rally car, the Exige R-GT is a dream come true for those who are passionate about GT racing – this will be their car.” The beauty of the Exige R-GT is that although it’s a professionally set up race car, you don’t need to be a pro to drive it – the race car has been developed alongside the road car allowing the technical team to create the perfect race machine, high performance but without losing the sense of fun to drive and ease of use. Developing the race version of the Exige in parallel with the road car has allowed the Lotus technicians to make rapid advances in terms of safety and reliability.

I like this plan, even if it's just for Tarmac...what do you say?

VERY YES.

Touge racing in RWD GT cars? I'd love to see this added to the WRC.

Would be more impressed if it ran all events. A little like a later-day Stratos, eh?

Holy. Crap.

Cool! I really like the paint scheme, too. Reminds me of the mid 90's Arrows F1 cars.

Very cool. With them getting into ALMS next year they are doing some interesting stuff.

pres589 wrote: Would be more impressed if it ran all events. A little like a later-day Stratos, eh?

I think rallying was a LOT more exciting when it was ruled from the rear wheels. AWD is just not as much fun

How do they have this much money to throw at motorsports?

I approve regardless.

Joshua wrote: How do they have this much money to throw at motorsports?

Because not only is Dany Bahar not a car guy, but he's not too business savvy either?

Their entire business revolves around selling sports cars. Participating in motor sports has got to be a massive priority or else you end up with no heritage on which to base your pricing / etc. To us the Exige is awesome with or without a factory backed race win, but to the people with that much money to throw around, it's important to have the cars proven to be successful.

That's my guess.

We don't really know based on that slice of text how much they're spending. This could have been a very inexpensive project, and if it is sticking to tarmac they may not have had much work to do. Perhaps.

when Pikes peak is fully paved (next year or 2 I think) they'd better have that car up there.

I think there's probably a better than 50% chance this car is a marketing exercise, but I love the idea.

I was scratching my head over the idea of a Rally Lotus, but google helped. (Cortinas only half count.)

Rally Esprit is blowing my mind.

Rally Elise is blowing my mind! Can you imagine how many front clams they would go through!?!?

Joshua wrote: Rally Elise is blowing my mind! Can you imagine how many front clams they would go through!?!?

I love having the maturity of a seventeen year old when I read things like the above. And the answer is "a lot", hahaha.

HOT DAMN!

ReverendDexter wrote:

Joshua wrote: Rally Elise is blowing my mind! Can you imagine how many front clams they would go through!?!?

I love having the maturity of a seventeen year old when I read things like the above. And the answer is "a lot", hahaha.

Dont worry my mind went there too :P

It looks like the front wheels on that Elise are fromt he XJ220.