Lotus is looking to make a massive push in motorsports, announcing its return to the IndyCar series just as a new Lotus Formula One team hits the track in Bahrain for the start of the F1 season. Teaming up with long-time Lotus partner and world-renowned engine builder Cosworth, the Lotus Cosworth team will be run by KV Racing Technoloy (KVRT). Piloting the characteristically-Lotus green and yellow Lotus-Cosworth IndyCar will be Formula One veteran Takuma Sato.

Lotus recently announced a partnership with Cosworth that will not only see the engine builder develop the company’s 400-hp Evora Cup Car engine, but also develop engines for street cars.

Lotus-Cosworth racing will first take the track at the Sao Paolo Indy 300 in Brazil on March 14, 2010.

Official release after the jump:

The future for Lotus continues to look bright, very bright. The British sports car maker is looking to grow significantly over the next few years and along with new models, plenty of new talent and a multi-leveled return to motorsports, it has now announced a partnership with Cosworth to help in producing high performance engines.

Currently, Lotus gets its engines for the Elise, Exige and Evora from Toyota – hardly a company known for building exciting automobiles. And yet, Lotus has done amazing things with the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder and the new V6. Still, we’ve always thought the engine (and gearboxes) were the weakest parts of a Lotus.

For now, Cosworth, which has teamed up with Lotus to win 10 Formula 1 constructors titles over the years, will help turn those Toyota engines into track performers – starting with a 400-hp 4.0-liter V6 in the Evora Cup Car. Cosworth has also been tasked with building versions of the current engines found in Lotus street cars, for street use. We can’t wait to see what the engine experts have in store for the tiny Elise and Exige and perhaps a 400-hp version of the Evora will also be offered for the street.

Official release after the jump:

Normally one of the quietest automakers when it comes to announcements and new products, Lotus has plenty to say these days and of the four vehicles on display at the Geneva Auto Show, all of them are new. Along with the restyled 2011 Elise, the Evora 414E Hybrid and Evora Cup Car, Lotus is also displaying the Evora Carbon Concept.

Taking the light-weight Lotus philosophy to new heights, the Evora Carbon Concept has a reduced overall weight (although we don’t know by how much) thanks to a structural carbon fiber roof as well as a carbon fiber front splitter and rear diffuser. A set of forged 19-inch wheels also help to keep weight to a minimum, while the interior is a carbon fiber and Alcantara oasis, with carbon door trim and even a carbon fiber steering wheel.

If we’re lucky, perhaps this concept car is a look ahead at a higher-performance Evora, or a new line of light-weight options for the Lotus flagship sports car.

GALLERY: Lotus Evora Carbon Concept

Official release after the jump:

It’s been a good few weeks since Lotus announced the Evora Cup Car, but the Geneva Auto Show is the first time we’ve been able to view the car in person. Launched with the Evora Cup racing series, this stripped-down and powered-up race car weighs just 2,645 lbs and features a larger 4.0-liter V6 engine that makes an impressive 395-hp.

The race car is built to FIA GT4 specs and will be eligible to run in many international racing series, as well as in the Lotus Evora Cup, which will take place at several racetracks throughout Europe in 2010, with plans to expand the series for 2011 already in place.

Lotus is supporting the series with €100,000 ($160,000) in prizes. As for the car itself, it will cost £120,000 ($175,000).

GALLERY: Lotus Evora Cup Car

Official release after the jump:

On display for the first time at the Geneva Auto Show is the 2011 Elise, which has been given a mild work-over to help keep it looking fresh. Upgrades for both the standard Elise and Elise SC include revised body work with a new rear bumper, engine cover and a more aggressive front clamshell. The new design certainly looks like the work of Lotus design boss and former Ferrari designer Donato Coco. The 2011 models will also stand out thanks to the use of LED lighting for the headlights and signal indicators.

The new aerodynamic body has resulted in a four percent reduction in drag on the car, resulting in slightly improved fuel economy. In addition, a new standard cast wheel appears for 2011 while Lotus also has a new optional forged aluminum wheel, which saves a total of 4.7 lbs over the standard cast units.

Apart from those changes the Elise and Elise SC stay pretty much unchanged, which isn’t a bad thing as they’re so fabulous to begin with. The Elise continues to be powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder making 189-hp, while the supercharged Elise SC puts out 15 percent more power for a total of 218-hp.

Be sure to browse through the gallery below and let us know what you think of the mild redesign.

GALLERY: 2011 Lotus Elise

It’s not scheduled to debut until tomorrow, but we’ve managed to snap a few pics of the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid concept car on display at the Geneva Auto Show. Based on the new Evora, it makes  roughly 400-hp thanks to a complex setup that includes the tiny Lotus range extender engine.

That 1.2-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine makes just 47-hp, but is mated to two electric motors and a lithium-polymer battery pack. It works like the Chevy Volt, with only the electric motors powering the wheels, while the gasoline engine kicks in afterwards to deliver extended range. Lotus claims 35 miles of emissions free driving, while the gasoline engine allows for a total of 300 miles.

Lotus has designed the car to put the power down independently through the rear wheels, as a result each rear wheel is capable of 204-hp and 295 ft-lbs of torque. That’s enough to propel the Evora 414E Hybrid to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds. Lotus has equipped this range-extender engine with a single gear transmission, but it has designed transmission software to create seven imaginary gears for ideal performance driving.

There’s no word from Lotus yet if the brand is seriously considering building a hybrid, but we should have more news on that for you tomorrow.

GALLERY: Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid

Lotus has just teased us with a single image of a concept car that just has to be a concept, because it’s too good to be true. Based on the new Evora, it’s called the 414E Hybrid and makes 400-hp. But it’s better than that!

Lotus has designed the car to put the power down independently through the rear wheels, as a result each rear wheel is capable of 204-hp and 295 ft-lbs of torque. That’s enough to propel the Evora 414E Hybrid to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds. Lotus has equipped this range-extender engine with a single gear transmission, but it has designed transmission software to create seven imaginary gears for ideal performance driving.

Now all this power comes from the Lotus-designed 47-hp, 1.2-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine mated to two electric motors and a lithium-polymer battery pack. It works like the Chevy Volt, with only the electric motors powering the wheels, while the gasoline engine kicks in afterwards to deliver extended range. Lotus claims 35 miles of emissions free driving, while the gasoline engine allows for a total of 300 miles.

We’ll be sure to bring you more on the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid with live coverage of the Geneva Auto Show starting March 1st.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

Official release after the jump:

Over the weekend, the first three of eight “Naomi for Haiti” special edition Lotus Evora sports cars were auctioned off, with the first car fetching $496,000. The vehicles, created by supermodel Naomi Campbell and Lotus Design Director Donato Coco, were auctioned off at the Fashion for Relief event held during Fashion Week in London with all proceeds going towards relief efforts in Haiti. Car number one was purchased by Campbell’s boyfriend Vladimir Doronin.

The second car sold for another huge sum, $430,000, while a third car fetched an undisclosed sum.

“I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has generously donated their time and effort to make Fashion For Relief happen,” said Campbell. “I’m thrilled with the support from Lotus and to have teamed up with my great friend Gino Rosato for this important cause. I hope we continue to raise as much awareness and funds as we can.”

Gino Rosato, Director of Corporate Affairs at Lotus Cars stated, “I am very proud to welcome my good friend Naomi into the Lotus family. We are delighted to be able to work together to raise money for such a worthy cause. The Fashion For Relief event has proven to be exceptionally successful and it is fantastic to be able to help the nation of Haiti.”

The remaining five “Naomi for Haiti” Evoras are being auctioned off at, www.naomiforhaiti.com.

Naomi Campbell will announced the total funds raised by the effort during the Lotus press conference at the Geneva Auto Show on March 2nd.

Official release after the jump:

For 2011 Lotus has decided to give its hallmark sports car, the Elise, a mild update. Upgrades for both the standard Elise and Elise SC include revised body work with a new rear bumper, engine cover and a more aggressive front clamshell. The new design certainly looks like the work of Lotus design boss and former Ferrari designer Donato Coco. The 2011 models will also stand out thanks to the use of LED lighting for the headlights and signal indicators.

The new aerodynamic body has resulted in a four percent reduction in drag on the car, resulting in slightly improved fuel economy. In addition, a new standard cast wheel appears for 2011 while Lotus also has a new optional forged aluminum wheel, which saves a total of 4.7 lbs over the standard cast units.

Apart from those changes the Elise and Elise SC stay pretty much unchanged, which isn’t a bad thing as they’re so fabulous to begin with. The Elise continues to be powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder making 189-hp, while the supercharged Elise SC puts out 15 percent more power for a total of 218-hp.

Be sure to browse through the gallery below and let us know what you think of the mild redesign. Is there too much Ferrari influence in this car?

Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

GALLERY: 2011 Lotus Elise

Official release after the jump:

Lotus has teamed up with supermodel Naomi Campbell to create eight limited edition Evora sports cars that will be auctioned off to help with relief efforts in Haiti. Campbell and Lotus Design Director Donato Coco created the unique paint scheme, which includes the colors of the Haitian flag.

All “Naomi for Haiti” Evoras will be auctioned off at Naomi Campbell’s Fashion Relief charity show on February 18th during London’s fashion week. Those vehicles not sold at the event will then go up on a special bidding, www.naomiforhaiti.com, website the following day.

Naomi Campbell will announced the total funds raised by the effort during the Lotus press conference at the Geneva Auto Show on March 2nd.

GALLERY: Naomi Campbell Haiti Relief Lotus Evora

Official release after the jump: