Cut Away Cars from Auto Shows

A selection of cars showing both inner and outer designs
cut away car auto truck art design.
A popular trend at car shows and launch events is to show a cutaway, revealing the intricate details and mechanics of these beautiful machines. By stripping away parts of the exterior and coverings, viewers can get up close to appreciate the sophistication and engineering of today’s automobile

AUDI R8





BUGATTI VEYRON GRAND SPORT


                                                                           +


ASTON MARTIN DBS VOLANTE



DODGE RAM



LEXUS HS250 HYBRID



LOTUS HYBRID




NISSAN GTR



PORSCHE CAYMAN S



FORD F150



FORD TORES



SAUBER F1

Lotus 2-Eleven: 255Hp & 670kg Elise track version to debut at Geneva

For all you track-day wackos, Lotus will have a something special for you at this year’s Geneva Show which opens up in a few days: the 2-Eleven. As you’d expect from a company like Lotus, the Elise based, 2-Eleven takes on Colin Chapman's philosophy of 'Performance Through Lightweight”. Weighing in at just 670 kg (1,477 lbs, the 2-Eleven is powered by a supercharged version of the stock 4cylinder 1.8 VVTL-i Toyota engine that delivers 255Hp at 8.000 rpm and a torque figure of 242 Nm (179 lb/ft) at 7000 rpm. 0 to 100 km/h comes in 3.9 sec (0-60mph, 3.8 sec) while top speed is 250 km/h (155mph). -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see a high-res image gallery & the press release

Production of the Lotus 2-Eleven is scheduled to start in April 2007 where it will be available in two versions - Road Going Version (UK Single Vehicle Approval) fitted with front and rear lights, exhaust catalyst, single plane rear wing etc. that will cost 41.095 BP and Track-Only Version with an enhanced aerodynamics package including high downforce single plane carbonfibre rear wing and a high downforce front splitter with a price tag of 39,995 BP. Outside the UK, the 2-Eleven will be only available as a track-only option costing 49,575 EUR (excluding tax). Pricing in Japan, South Africa and Lotus other international markets will be announced later on.

PRESS RELEASE: The Lotus 2-Eleven - Track Day Driving Just Got Serious

Exceptional Performance Coupled with High Levels Of Usability and Safety

Geneva, Switzerland (6th March 2007), Lotus Sport, the race car performance arm of Lotus Cars Ltd, today unveiled the new Lotus 2-Eleven. Launched at the 77th annual Geneva International Motor Show, the Lotus 2-Eleven is aimed at the true track day enthusiast, taking Colin Chapman's philosophy of 'Performance Through Lightweight' to its most extreme level yet.

Weighing in at just 670 kg (1,477 lbs) with 255 PS (252 bhp / 188kw) on tap courtesy of its supercharged and intercooled 1796 cc engine, the Lotus 2-Eleven boasts a power to weight ratio similar to that of a 1960's Formula One car. Designed with the most serious of track day enthusiasts in mind, the Lotus 2-Eleven offers race car levels of performance coupled with legendary Lotus Ride and Handling to deliver a truly outstanding track day car.

Said Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer for Group Lotus plc:

"The Lotus 2-Eleven takes our core brand values to the extreme. It is the ultimate track day vehicle - not only phenomenally quick, but also very user-friendly. In short, the 2-Eleven delivers everything that the modern track day warrior and clubman racer demands, and more."

Production of the Lotus 2-Eleven is scheduled to commence in April 2007 at the award-winning and world-class Lotus manufacturing facility at Lotus Headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk, UK. The 2-Eleven build will be completed in dedicated Lotus Sport workshops and each vehicle will be given a Lotus Sport build plate.

The Lotus 2-Eleven is initially available in Launch Edition specification only, which boasts a dynamic and unique three-way Lotus Sport colour scheme complete with decal pack. The Launch Edition is available in two versions - Road Going Version (UK Single Vehicle Approval) fitted with front and rear lights, exhaust catalyst, single plane rear wing and other items to achieve compliance with UK road legal requirements and Track Only Version with an enhanced aerodynamics package including high downforce single plane carbon fibre rear wing, high downforce front splitter, brake lights and rear indicators and FIA approved driver's race seat.

The recommended selling price (incl UK VAT) of the Lotus 2-Eleven Launch Edition will be £39,995. In the UK, the SVA version (Single Vehicle Type Approval) which includes delivery, Pre Delivery Inspection, first service, number plates, first registration fee, valet, 12 months' Road Fund Licence, a full tank of fuel and SVA test costs an additional £1,100. The Lotus 2-Eleven is only available as a track-only option outside of the UK at EUR49,575 excluding local tax in mainland Europe. Pricing in Japan, South Africa and Lotus other international markets will be announced shortly.

THE LOTUS 2-ELEVEN IN MORE DETAIL

Engine

The supercharged and intercooled 1796 cc engine in the Lotus 2-Eleven has a maximum power output of 255 PS (252 bhp / 188 kw) at 8000 rpm and a torque figure of approximately 242 Nm (179 lb/ft) at 7000 rpm. This significant amount of extra power and torque now available together with the VVTL-i variable cam system ensures that there is a smooth and linear surge of power from low engine speeds all the way to the maximum 8000 rpm. The Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger (with a sealed-for-life internal mechanism meaning that it does not require the use of the engine's oil) is run from the crankshaft and has an integral bypass valve for part load operation.

Four high capacity injectors and an up rated fuel pump add additional fuel under hard acceleration or high speed driving. An Accusump (engine oil accumulator unit) is included in the whole package as an oil reservoir back-up for extreme track use ensuring that, under those conditions, the engine oil pressure remains constant. Twin oil coolers complete the powertrain package.

Transmission

A sports-type clutch plate and heavy duty clutch cover transfer the engine power and torque to the lightweight aluminium C64 six-speed gearbox (with an aluminium casing) - with the same perfectly spaced ratios as the Exige S. An open type differential is fitted as standard. The Lotus switchable Traction Control System (LTCS) works through the engine, reducing power to maintain traction; it is active above 8 km/h (5 mph) and reacts much more quickly than many brake-based systems.

Chassis & Integral Safety Features

The Lotus 2-Eleven uses a unique high-sided variant of the Lotus Elise lightweight chassis structure featuring epoxy bonded aluminium alloy extrusions with modified Exige S based running gear. This strong and stiff package features a comprehensive safety system with a glass fibre reinforced composite front crash structure allied to a high sill chassis for side impact protection. Additional chassis safety features include an FIA compliant 6-point rollover structure with integral harness mounts and lightweight galvanized steel rear sub frame incorporating a further crushable structure.

Body

The Lotus 2-Eleven features all new ultra-lightweight (40 kg / 88lbs) composite bodywork featuring core-mat technology. All external panels are bolted on for ease of removal, maintenance and repair.

Wheels & Tyres

5-spoke lightweight forged black alloy wheels (front 7Jx16, rear 8J x 17) are shod with Lotus Sport specific Yokohama A048 R LTS tyres (front 195/50 R16, rear 225/45 R17), designed to maximise grip and achieve the exacting ride and handling targets set by Lotus.

Brakes

The brake system includes 288 mm cast iron cross drilled and ventilated discs, upgraded Pagid RS14 sports brake pads set into the brake calipers (aluminium alloy AP Racing 2-piston at the front and Brembo single sliding piston at the rear), high grade silicone brake fluid and stainless steel braided hoses. In addition, the proven Lotus track tuned servo-assisted four-channel ABS system enhances braking performance and minimises stopping distance without taking over from the skill of the driver.

Suspension

Fully independent suspension utilising unequal length wishbones; Öhlins 2-way adjustable dampers with coil over springs and Lotus Sport adjustable front anti-roll bar. A rear double shear track control arm brace is provided to cope with the expected kerb abuse during heavy track day driving, with unique steering arms and front upper wishbones to suit ultra-low ride height.

Performance

0-60 mph 3.8 secs (estimated)
0-100 km/h 3.9 secs (estimated)
0-100 mph (0-160 km/h) 9.1 secs (estimated)
Max Speed 155 mph (250 km/h)
Max Power 255 PS (252 bhp / 188 kw) at 8000 rpm
Max Torque 242 Nm (179 lb/ft) at 7000 rpm

Technorati: Lotus+2-Eleven, Track-day, Geneva+motor+Show, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, pictures, images

Australian Police gets a Lotus Exige

Regardless of what kind of vehicle they put cops in these days, they'll still be annoying and in no way appealing. Especially when their pulling you over to conduct a random search it will never be cool. Even if they are driving, say, a Lotus like these cops in Australia are. I guess the scene would be more tempting to imagine if the cop driving the Lotus was hot and frisking you in ways that are illegal… Via: Autoblog.it Posted by Dani

-Continued: Click “Read More…” below to check out the official press release

PRESS RELEASE: Lotus Volunteers A Sporty New Recruit For Bankstown Police

Lotus Cars Australia has donated a special new recruit to the NSW Police Bankstown Local Area Command with the arrival of a high performance Lotus Exige.

The lightweight, high performance Lotus Exige sports car will be used by Bankstown Local Area Command for a number of community policing roles over the next six months, including most importantly, helping to build better relations between police and local performance car enthusiasts and youth. As well as helping with critical community relationship issues the Lotus Exige will assist Bankstown Highway Patrol in raising its profile during work at Random Breath Testing, Radar and Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) sites.

The Lotus also boasts significantly better fuel economy than conventional V8 and turbocharged six cylinder Highway Patrol cars and will bring a new green hue to the command's vehicle fleet. Being almost half the weight and with an engine that is less than a third the size of traditional Highway Patrol sedans the Exige is significantly kinder on the environment consuming on average around five litres less fuel per 100km while still being able to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h up to 30 percent faster than the big V8s.

The Lotus' supercharged 1.8 litre four cylinder engine and lightweight extruded and bonded aluminium tub, encased in a lightweight composite body also ensure the Exige has a better power to weight ratio than the big V8s meaning it requires less energy to achieve better performance. Superintendent Dave Darcy accepted the keys to the Lotus Exige from Lotus Cars Australia's national sales and marketing manager Jon Stretton and thanked the company for its contribution to policing in the Bankstown area.

"The Lotus Exige will help break down barriers between our officers and youth in the area, it gives them a discussion point and a way of breaking the ice," said Superintendent Darcy. "We have a large proportion of car enthusiasts in the area and it is a challenge to influence them to drive safely. Whilst its easy to give this group tickets to slow them down we would prefer to influence young drivers to take care on the roads. "I see that the use of the new Lotus Exige police vehicle will break down barriers allowing us to get our safety messages through.

"There is no doubt that the Lotus will be highly visible and generate public interest, it will assist us operationally by promoting our road safety crime prevention messages to a targeted group of offenders. Giving youth the chance to realise that police are real people and have a job to do is an important part of our work, and if the Lotus can help us achieve that then it will be an asset during its time with us," he added.

Bankstown Local Area Command will use the Lotus for the next six months under long term loan from the manufacturer. According to Jon Stretton from Lotus Cars Australia the precedent for this co-operation with the police was set in the UK where the company forged a similar relationship with the Norfolk Constabulary lending the force a Lotus Elise to achieve similar goals.

"Following the success of the co-operation with Norfolk Police we saw the chance to link up with NSW Police to help it achieve similar goals," said Jon Stretton. "The Norfolk Police had similar challenges to Bankstown Local Area Command with performance car enthusiasts and in establishing stronger relations to help prevent unacceptable behaviour," he said. "The Lotus gave the Norfolk Police credibility with the performance car enthusiasts and I expect the Lotus Exige will do the same for Bankstown officers," he added.

"We are also very conscious of environmental issues and keen to demonstrate ways of using less fuel with more economical performance cars. Just because the police have always used conventional cars with large engines doesn't mean they can't look at alternatives that can reduce fuel consumption and be kinder on the environment," Jon Stretton added.

The police Lotus Exige features full NSW Police livery and is equipped with a removable emergency light system that can be used when it is at particular operations such as random breath test and radar sites throughout the Bankstown Local Area Command.

Technorati: Lotus+Exige, Australia, Police, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, pictures, images

LA Show: Lotus Sport Exige Cup 252Hp

Gentlemen, start your engines as Lotus unveiled the US spec version of the Sport Exige Cup at the LA Auto Show. This track-ready edition of the Exige features an upgraded version of the stock (supercharged) engine that now produces 252 hp at 8000 rpm (from 243) and a torque figure of approximately 179 lb-ft, at 7000 rpm. Of course, suspension, tires and brakes have also been upgraded. Weight has been kept to 1800 pounds through the use of lightweight materials and the eradication of all non-essential components such roof trim, carpets,front mudflaps, central locking and bulkhead trim.

According to Lotus, these enchantments are good enough to give a 0 to 60mph (97 km/h) time of just under 3,9 sec and a 0 to 100 mph (160 km/h) time in less that 9,8 sec. Top speed is close to 160 mph (257 km/h).

The Lotus Sport Exige Cup is also equipped with the usual safety equipment that is expected for a track car with 6-point seat belt harness on the driver’s side (with an FIA approved Recaro / Lotus Sport seat) – there is no passenger seat. The full roll cage is SCCA compliant and completing the additional safety equipment is a mechanical ignition kill switch with cockpit and external activation and a plumbed electrical fire suppression system, again with cockpit and external activation.

Sounds perfect to me, the only thing left is to ask my boss for a couple days a month off and of course, a "small raise to hand over $84,990 (plus options, delivery and taxes) to Lotus…

Technorati: Lotus+Sport+Exige+Cup, LA+Auto+Show, Los+Angeles, motor+show, 2006, images, pictures, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop