Coinciding with Lotus’ 75th anniversary year, the Type 66 launch is testament to our desire to reimagine the best elements of our heritage, updating them in the most exhilarating way possible.

The exclusive project was unveiled to motorsport connoisseurs and enthusiasts during Monterey Car Week in California. Lotus also confirmed that the track-only car will go into limited production, with only 10 examples of this ‘rediscovered and reimagined’ Lotus V8 being built, to commemorate the number of races the Type 66 would have competed in during the 1970 season. The Type 66 brings to life a 53-year-old ‘lost Lotus’ drawing board project, and combines it with today’s state-of-the-art racing technology and components.

With his eyes on the high-profile and commercially lucrative Can-Am Series, Lotus founder Colin Chapman tasked Team Lotus draughtsman Geoff Ferris to launch the Type 66 project to evaluate how Lotus design principles could be applied to this exciting category. Chapman’s primary focus on Formula 1 meant the innovative project never went beyond technical drawings and scale models. In a fitting tribute to the brand’s illustrious racing pedigree and heritage, Lotus has proudly fulfilled the original vision 53 years after the designer first put pen to paper.

Crucial to the development of the Type 66 programme has been Clive Chapman, Managing Director of Classic Team Lotus and son of Lotus founder Colin Chapman. It was documents held by Clive which allowed the Lotus Design team to bring the car to life.

More than 1,000 hours of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) work has gone into the programme to optimise aerodynamics, resulting in downforce in excess of 800kg at 150mph. Advanced ‘driver-in-the-loop’ technology has also been used to test how the vehicle would perform on race tracks around the globe, with simulated lap times comparable to a modern GT3 race car.

At the heart of the Type 66 is a period-representative V8 push-rod engine. It’s mid-mounted for optimised handling, and tuned by Lotus to produce more than 830bhp at 8,800rpm*. Bespoke modern-day components include an aluminium forged crank, rod and pistons, which generate torque of more than 746 Nm at 7,400rpm*.

The chassis is also period-representative, with extruded aluminium sections, bonded joints and aluminium honeycomb panels adding to its authenticity. To ensure drivers can unlock maximum performance when on track, the Type 66 features modern comforts such as an EPASS motorsport power steering column, a sequential racing gearbox with reverse, a race ABS braking system, an anti-stall multi-plate clutch and a fixed rollover bar.

Simon Lane, Executive Director of Lotus Advanced Performance, said: “The Type 66 perfectly blends the past and present. It takes drivers back in time to the iconic design, sound and pure theatre of motorsport more than 50 years ago, with added 21st century performance and safety. This is a truly unique project and in our 75th anniversary year it’s the perfect gift from Lotus, to fans worldwide and to a handful of customers.”

* Target performance data.