Lotus has unveiled the Type 66, a low-volume track-only car, during Monterey Car Week. The Type 66 is based on lost Lotus designs from 1970, combining the brand’s motorsport heritage with modern technology. Lotus plans to produce only 10 units of the Type 66, each priced at approximately $1.3 million (£1.0 million).
The inspiration for the Type 66 comes from a study commissioned by Lotus founder Colin Chapman for a potential Can-Am race car. Although never developed further at the time, the original drawings and scale models have now been rediscovered and used as the foundation for the Type 66.
The Type 66 features a pushrod V8 engine with Can-Am–inspired air trumpets, producing an impressive 830 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque. The car also boasts modern components such as a forged crank, rods, and pistons. Its bodywork is crafted from carbon fiber, and the chassis is made of extruded aluminum sections, bonded joints, and aluminum honeycomb panels. Other modern features include a sequential racing gearbox, ABS braking system, and contemporary safety equipment.
At the unveiling of the Type 66, two notable figures from Lotus history were present: Emerson Fittipaldi, a two-time F1 World Champion, and Clive Chapman, managing director of Classic Team Lotus and son of Colin Chapman. Chapman held the original documents from the design study, making him instrumental in bringing the Type 66 to life. Fittipaldi, who joined Lotus in 1970, would likely have been the driver of the car had it been built back then.
To bring the Type 66 to life, designers used computer software to digitize quarter- and tenth-scale drawings, creating 3D renderings of the car. They also incorporated Colin Chapman’s ideas, including a cockpit enclosure to reduce drag and improve airflow to the rear wing.
The front wing of the Type 66 is designed to channel air from the front of the car, through and underneath the rear wings, generating significant downforce. This concept of porosity, where air travels through the vehicle rather than around it, is a signature element of Lotus vehicle design and is seen in modern Lotus models like the Emira sports car and Evija hypercar.
To assess the track performance of the Type 66, advanced “driver-in-the-loop” technology was utilized to estimate its capabilities on various race tracks, including Laguna Seca, Silverstone, Fuji, and Spa. Lotus claims that the Type 66 matches the performance of a modern GT3 race car and may even outperform it on some circuits.
After its debut at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, the Lotus Type 66 will be showcased on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 20.