The Lotus Emira GT4 is in production and now ready for delivery to its first customers, with a significantly enhanced spec and performance.

First examples of the eagerly anticipated new Lotus race car will be shipped to owners over the summer, with orders from the UK, Europe, China, Australia and the USA.

The Emira GT4 has been homologated for competition in global GT4 classes and, thanks to a comprehensive options list, is also eligible for other non-homologated and specialist race series around the world.

After extensive development work by the Lotus team in collaboration with world-renowned motorsport partner RML Group, the car has been upgraded from the version that was unveiled at a VIP event at Hethel, Norfolk, last year. Improvements include:

• Increased power – up more than 10% to 455 bhp
• All-new six-speed paddleshift sequential racing gearbox and control system
• Optimised aerodynamics to suit both tight/twisty and fast/flowing circuits
• Enhancements to the braking system, springs, damping and cooling packs

Gavan Kershaw, Director of Vehicle Attributes, Lotus, and a former British GT Championship winner has been heavily involved in the development of the Emira GT4 from day one. He commented: “The Emira road car was such an excellent starting point for a GT4, and we’ve now further refined and tuned the package with the team at RML to create what we believe is a highly competitive and performance-oriented race car. We know our customers are keen to get behind the wheel and we’re looking forward to seeing their results.”

For anyone wanting to see the car and find out more, it will be on display at the Snetterton round of the British GT Championship on 17-18 June.

The Emira GT4 is the culmination of 75 years of innovation on the road and track, and marks the start of an exciting new era in performance GT racing for Lotus. Motorsport has always been part of the Lotus story. This year is the 75^th anniversary of the first Lotus, the Mk I, which was a trials car built by founder Colin Chapman in 1948. Lotus has been synonymous with worldwide racing success ever since, and the company has pioneered many of the technical innovations which make racing the thrilling sport it is today. Lotus’ impressive roll-call of honours includes seven Formula 1 Constructors’ titles, six Drivers’ Championships and victory in the legendary Indianapolis 500.

Most recently Lotus has been racing with the Evora GT4, which won prestigious races and championships in categories such as British GT, Dubai 24hrs, Barcelona 24hrs, European GT, Sepang 12hrs and the Pirelli World Challenge.

Lotus Emira GT4: technical specification and performance data