For $1 million Lotus is offering gentleman racers the shot at the ultimate in automotive thrill-seeking. Just unveiled at the Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion in California, the Exos Type 125 is a Formula 1-inspired track car pairing F1 design and technology with a Cosworth V8 engine, heralding Lotus’ much-ballyhooed return to F1 racing. 25 examples will be built, forming a new race league that will incidentally provide a fertile testing ground for Lotus’ F1 fledgling program. With a carbon fibre monocoque chassis and F1 styling, the car also features carbon ceramic brakes and carbon fibre pushrod suspension.
Weighing in at just 650 kg with the engine delivering 650 hp and a 10,300 rpm red line, it boats an eye-popping power-to-weight ratio of 1000 hp per ton. Purchasers will be part of the exclusive Exos Club, including driver training overseen by a team of Lotus engineers, race drivers, mechanics, physical trainers and even physicians – just like the pros. In other words you need to be in fighting shape. Beginning in 2011, Lotus will stage a series of races for Exos owners across Europe.
