Lotus 125 'Ultimate Track Car' to Debut at Pebble Beach Alongside Elise SC RGB Edition

Lotus will make three vehicle debuts at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, including the world premiere of an all-new track car, which will carry the 125 name. No details about the 125 have been provided, but judging from past Lotus models it’s likely a more hard-core version of the 2-Eleven, or a 2-Eleven style car based on the Evora chassis. (We hope!)

Another track-only model will also make it’s North American premiere, the Evora Cup GT4. Weighing 400 lbs less than the standard Evora at just 2,645 lbs and sporting a Cosworth 4.0-liter V6 engine with 360-hp, it’s a genuine track car built for the European GT4 series. Hopefully the debut at Pebble will be accompanied by an announcement that the Evora Cup GT4 will also compete in the U.S.

The third model set to debut is a U.S.-spec version of the restyled 2011 Elise SC RGB Edition. The RGB name comes from long-time (but now retired) Director of Vehicle Engineering Roger George Becker, who dedicated 44 years of his life to developing Lotus vehicles. In Europe, RGB models are full-loaded, offering most option packages and items like light-weight forged alloy wheels. Four colors are offered in Europe: Aspen White, Starlight Black, Solar Yellow and Carbon Grey. All models will also get a numbered plaque and will be signed by Roger Becker.

AutoGuide will be sure to bring you complete coverage with plenty of coverage of all the Pebble Beach festivities.

Official release after the jump:

PRESS RELEASE

55 DAYS TO GO
05 August 2010
Lotus World Premier at Pebble Beach
Week 2010
Lotus will have its most substantial presence ever during the upcoming Pebble Beach week of activities August 7 – 15 showcasing:
• • •
The World Premier of the Lotus 125 ultimate consumer track and race car The North American Premier of the Evora Cup GT4 track and race car The North American Debut of the restyled 2011 Elise SC RGB Edition.
World Premier of all-new Lotus 125 ultimate consumer track and race car
The Lotus 125 will initially be shown in the Lotus Exhibit during the Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion weekend Saturday and Sunday, August 7 – 8 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. On Wednesday night, August 11, the Lotus 125 will be displayed at the McCall Motorworks Revival at the Monterey Jet Center along with our current Lotus IndyCar. Lotus IndyCar and former Formula 1TM driver Takuma Sato and 1996 IndyCar champion Jimmy Vasser will also be on hand at the Lotus display. Finally, the Lotus 125 will grace the Concept Car Lawn at The Lodge at Pebble Beach on Saturday afternoon, August 14 and all day Sunday, August 15 during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Details of the Lotus 125 will be held for its reveals on the Monterey peninsula and Pebble Beach, suffice to say the Lotus 125 is being engineered and developed to provide its select few owners the absolute ultimate in a track driving and racing experience.
North American Premier of the Evora Cup GT4 track and race car
The Evora Cup GT4 race car has been developed by Lotus Motorsport to offer a level of performance that will make it competitive in European GT4 racing. The race car will be eligible to compete in a number of different national and international racing series, with options for endurance and sprint racing.
At the heart of the Evora Cup race car is a new 4.0-liter V6 race engine co- developed with Cosworth that boasts, while still under development, approximately 360HP and a dry sump lubrication system for the high cornering forces encountered during racing. The mid-mounted engine is mated to a 6-speed sequential paddle shift dog gearbox which is designed for international motor sport.
“Performance through lightweight” is a long standing Lotus philosophy and the Evora Cup race car has been pared down to less than 2,645lbs, which translates into a reduction of more than 400lbs over the road-going Evora.
The Evora Cup race car will come with adjustable motorsport dampers, six-piston front brake callipers with two-piece aluminum belled brake discs and all of the relevant FIA compatible motorsport performance and safety equipment prepared to race.
North American Premier of the newly restyled 2011 Elise SC RGB Edition
The Elise revolutionized the sports car market 14 years ago when the small, lightweight and agile 2-seat mid-engine sports car was introduced. By ensuring that the Elise stuck rigidly to Lotus’ core value of lightweight performance Lotus was able to produce supercar performance with city car economy and for the 2011 model year, Lotus has introduced a number of changes and improvements to maintain the class leading position of the Elise.
The body of the new 2011 Elise is an evolution of the iconic Elise design, retaining the character and style, while offering a more planted, purposeful stance and a pure, contemporary look that links it to the Evora. As with all Lotus products, the design is an exciting blend of dramatic style and functional efficiency.
With the launch of the special RGB Edition 2011 Elise SC and Exige S, Lotus is celebrating the now legendary work of former Director of Vehicle Engineering Roger George Becker (RGB) who retired in January this year following 44 years of service. Roger has been instrumental in the development of so many Lotus cars over the years, in particular the Evora, the Exige and the recent versions of the Elise. Not only has his extensive knowledge and learning been passed on to the team of talented and skilled engineers, but also his passion for the Lotus brand and heritage has helped Lotus grow into the world class organization that it is today.
The Lotus Exhibits at the Motorsports Pre-Reunion Saturday and Sunday, August 7 – 8 and on Peter Hay Hill at The Lodge at Pebble Beach on Friday through Sunday, August 13 – 15, will mark the first showings of the 2011 Elise SC, in the form of the RGB Edition, in North America.
Notes
The first Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance was held in 1950 in conjunction with the first Pebble Beach Road Races. Racing and automotive art have been in perfect sync on the Monterey peninsula ever since. With this history firmly in place, it’s only fitting in the 60th anniversary year of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance that Lotus reveals such an exciting range of world class cars.
ENDS