Lotus has had a long presence in the motorsports world which began with a racing car built by Colin Chapman, who founded the company. That was back in 1948 and from then on, the company produced numerous racing cars and sportscars, and even had a successful period in Formula 1.
Earlier this year, the company added a new division – Lotus Advanced Performance – as part of its ongoing transformation from a British sportscar company to a global performance car business and brand.
The portfolio of services that Lotus Advanced Performance will offer includes halo projects, limited editions, bespoke, experiential, the Lotus Driving Academy, motorsport, options and accessories. The first product developed by the division (in collaboration with the RML Group) is the all-new Emira GT4 racing car which was unveiled earlier this week.
This GT version of the Emira road car marks the start of a new era in performance GT racing for Lotus. Like all modern Lotus road cars which have had race-ready siblings, the Emira is no exception. Each Emira GT4 customer will receive a homologated performance machine, hand-built with lightweight motorsport components and equipment to meet the latest safety regulations.
“We knew we had an excellent starting point for the Emira GT4 because of all the work done to make the road car such a great performer. Showing off the GT4’s dynamic capabilities on the Hethel test track – which has shaped countless race cars and their drivers since Lotus moved to the site in 1966 – is a very special moment for me and all the team involved,” said Gavan Kershaw, Director of Vehicle Attributes.
The advanced composite bodywork makes the car exceptionally light, and it is powered by Toyota’s race-proven 400 bhp 3.5-litre V6 engine. While the Emira’s advanced exterior design is also highly aerodynamic, further optimization has come from GT4 aerodynamics.
Many hundreds of hours of validation work have taken place on the test track. Over the winter, the Emira GT4 was also run at Portimao in Portugal for a week. In addition to the better weather, it’s one of the most challenging circuits in Europe, making it the perfect destination to validate aero performance and component reliability.
“Lotus’ commitment to motorsport is world-renowned and is one of the key elements of enhanced customer engagement within this recently launched division of the business. We have exciting plans for Lotus Advanced Performance – there is much more to come,” said Simon Lane, Director, Lotus Advanced Performance.
Following last September’s announcement that Lotus would create a GT version of the Emira, orders started to come in and the first year’s production has all been taken up by customers. Lotus aims to fulfil customer orders for the Emira GT4 during 2022, increasing production for 2023 in line with global demand. Ex-factory pricing is from £165,000 (about RM890,000).
In recent years, you’ve probably been come across many reports about motorists being ‘saved’ by video evidence from a dashcam or digital video recorder (DVR). Where before there might have been a dispute between the parties involved as to who was responsible for the accident, a recording from a DVR would almost immediately end any argument. And the use of DVRs has broadened to not only recording accidents but also the reckless driving behaviour of others which can help police taken action against.
The value of DVRs, which have been available for many years now, has been recognized even by car companies who offer them as standard or optional items in new cars nowadays. Hyundai Sime Darby Motors was probably the first one to do so in Malaysia with the 7th generation Hyundai Sonata it launched in 2015. The DVR was installed neatly with a connection to the power supply so it was like part of the car’s systems.
Today, many other companies also offer DVRs, and some even offer units that are mounted at the rear to supplement the forward-facing one. These units are usually tested for reliability and durability by the distributors and installed by them so they give a warranty as well.
But anyone can also install a DVR in their vehicle and they do not need a specialist as it is easily mounted on the windscreen and a cable connected to a USB port or 12V socket (which used to be for cigarette lighters) provides power. Like GPS route navigation units, prices of DVRs have come down quickly over the years. You can now get a simple unit for around RM100 and for more money, you can get high-tech features and higher quality.
The other features are secondary and in the newer units, even the lower priced ones have them since the features are all programmed together. Some of these features are impact sensors, collision warning, still image capture and so on. But for most people, all that is expected would be the ability to record and that is what every DVR does – though the quality varies.
The more you pay, the better the quality will be and what is important is the image quality. There’s no point having a recording which is not sharp and while you might see the other car hitting you, its numberplate might not be clear enough. The minimum resolution would be what is known as 1080P Full HD and the higher the resolution, the more clarity there can be if small areas need to be enlarged.
There are units which can capture at higher resolutions of 4K and they have very good image sensors (the ones made by Sony are regarded as the best). These can record video with a lot of sharpness but it will also mean that the capacity of memory card to store the video will need to be larger as the file sizes will be much bigger.
Motorists can also have DVRs facing rearwards to record the view behind, as well as facing into the cabin.
The video recordings are stored on memory cards, the popular size being microSD which is the same as what you probably have in your mobilephone. These come in various capacities and while you would need to put in a new SD card when the one in your phone is full, the recordings in the DVR are looped so when it is full, the oldest one will be over-written by a new one. This is usually fine in most cases if the card has a large storage capacity and depending on how much you use the DVR, it might even be good for a few days of recordings.
How many recordings can be stored depends on the file size and besides the image quality being a factor, this can be fixed by selecting the duration (3 minutes, 5 minutes, etc). A 64GB card can store 480 1-minute recordings if taken at 30 fps and 1080P but if at 4K/30 fps, then it can only store up to 144 1-minute recordings before the first one will be over-written.
The reason for not having a continuous recording of your journey is to make locating a specific section easier. The time stamp is shown so you can locate a specific spot on your journey to review when you wish to do so. It’s also easier when you want to download a specific section (to pass to the police or insurance company as evidence). The card can be removed and with an adapter, inserted into a computer for access.
Unless you never drive at night, you will also need the DVR to have night vision capability. All DVRs can record at night but the quality will vary greatly, and this is usually related to the price. The very expensive units may have special software to enhance the image in low light conditions but generally, the cameras have a wide dynamic range which adjusts exposure to maintain clarity and sufficient contrast to make out details.
The frame rate per second (commonly referred to as ‘fps’) also helps in image quality. The more frames per second means the better the details. High-quality DVRs can take videos at up to 60 fps which is pretty good and down to 30 fps, you can still get smooth playback. The cheaper units might record at 20 fps or slower and this can make playback jerky with poor image quality.
The field of view – that’s the area covered from left to right – should be as wide as possible. Currently, the range is between 130 degrees and 160 degrees; the wider it can be, the better so that accidents that may happen on the side (like being rammed by someone who didn’t stop at a red light) can be more clearly seen.
Some DVRs may have ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) features like those provided in Honda SENSING and Toyota Safety Sense. These may detect lane departure, give distance warnings or even alert the driver when the car in front moves off. However, they may not be as accurate as the advanced systems developed by the carmakers.
Three of the ADAS features in a Honda DVR.
There are also some units which can keep recording even while the car is parked. The value of this is questionable since the camera is only facing forward but if there are additional cameras, then someone attempting to break in could be recorded. To save power and storage space, some DVRs will only record if there is motion detected.
In the past few years, there have also been dual front-mounted cameras (besides rear-facing cameras). These have one camera recording the view forward and the other recording the view inside the cabin. Not everyone may like or need such a feature and it is more appreciate by taxi drivers who will have strangers in the car and need to have a record for their own protection.
The more expensive DVRs may also have GPS receivers which can include the car’s precise location along with the other information embedded in the recording. With special software, it will be possible to retrace a route on digital maps and even see the speeds the car was running at.
Some DVRs can connect a mobilephone or tablet via wifi or bluetooth and with an app, it is possible to manage the DVR settings easily or transfer files.
Virtually all DVRs have the ability to also record sound and some people may like it while others would rather not have any record of what is said on a journey. It is usually possible to switch off audio recording if not required. Some units might also accept simple voice commands like ‘TAKE PICTURE’ to record a still image.
Almost all DVRs have a feature to lock files so that they cannot be tampered with. This would be important after an accident has occurred and the driver can either manually lock the file or the impact will activate a lock on a specific file so that the evidence is safely preserved.
Thanks to having a DVR, the driver of this car had proof that the man had purposely run in front of his car and then jumped on it to make it look as if the driver had been at fault (to try to claim compensation). Click here to read more about this incident in Klang.
Installing a DVR is like buying insurance – you hope that you do not need it but if you have an accident, then you might be very glad you spent the money to put one in the car. Besides recording accidents, DVRs are also useful to record videos of roadtrips where you may have gone through a nice area. Or if you are in the right place at the right time, your DVR might catch other vehicles having accidents or even a meteor shooting across the sky ahead!
With the new FIA technical regulations coming into force this year, Lamborghini Squadra Corse has developed a new Huracan GT3 EVO2 which is an entirely new project. Compared to the Huracan GT3 EVO, which was homologated in 2019 and based on the Huracan EVO road car, the GT3 EVO2 is based on the Huracan STO and features all-new aerodynamic solutions and intake system.
It shares key design elements and rear-wheel drive only with the Huracan STO, and also the naturally aspirated V10 engine which, in the road version, delivers 640 bhp.
Huracan STOHuracan GT3 EVO
The two strong design elements – the hexagonal airscoop design and the rear fin – are derived from Huracan STO, contributing to a more efficient intake system and better car balance. The airscoop is connected to a snorkel, replacing the side air intakes, which optimally channels the airflow directly into the engine, resulting in greater responsiveness to the driver’s demands.
The introduction of 10 electronically actuated throttle bodies increases the efficiency of the V10 with titanium valves; the entire system, designed in-house by Lamborghini Squadra Corse, is fixed to the engine by just 4 screws, a solution introduced for the first time on the Essenza SCV12, to facilitate maintenance work.
The fully carbonfibre bodywork has a muscular design created in collaboration with Lamborghini’s Centro Stile. The new splitters, diffuser and underbody enhance aerodynamic efficiency. The carbonfibre floor, coated with high-strength Zylon fibre, together with the new diffuser, provides greater downforce than the current generation GT3 EVO.
Other innovations include the rear wing, which is mounted on aluminium alloy pillars inspired by those of the STO. The new supports allow for greater precision in adjusting the wing compared to those of the EVO model.
The redesigned roll cage, with the introduction of two rear pillars, and the new carbon-Kevlar honeycomb side panels, already tested on the Essenza SCV12, increases safety in the event of impact on the doors in compliance with the FIA 2022 regulations. The plexiglas side windows are now fixed to the carbonfibre door panel by means of a ring of screws for greater structural rigidity and reliability.
Stopping power has also been optimised as the brake system has been updated with new calipers and pads designed by Squadra Corse for both endurance and sprint races. These solutions, combined with dedicated traction control and ABS, have been developed to make the car easy to control in low-grip conditions. The car is delivered to customers equipped with PZero tyres (325/680-18 at the front; 325/705-18 at the rear) from Pirelli.
“The new Huracan GT3 EVO2 is not simply an evolution of the current car. It’s a new project that reinforces the technological transfer between Lamborghini’s motorsport division and the company and inherits two difficult tasks: to prove as successful as the previous generations of Huracan GT3, which have won more than 40 international titles in 6 seasons, and to match its commercial success by helping to reach the target of 500 Huracán racing cars since 2015,” said Giorgio Sanna, Lamborghini Head of Motorsport.
The first customers will get their cars from the second half of 2022, with the track debut to be at the 2023 Daytona 24 Hours. Those who are running the previous Huracan GT3 EVO model can upgrade it to the GT3 EVO2 specifications via an evolution kit.
Wiesmann, a German carmaker founded by two brothers, has been in existence since 1988 although it may not be as well known as other specialist carmakers. Until it ran into financial problems and ceased operations in 2014, it had a steady business making and selling retro-styled sportscars with BMW M V8 and V10 engines.
It came out of dormancy in 2016 after being qcquired by Contex Global, a technology company, and has since been developing new models. One of them, codenamed ‘Project Thunderball’, is an electrically-powered convertible sportscar with rear-wheel drive. Development appears to have been completed and a fully engineered car built for preliminary presentation to the world.
With the promise of being ‘the world’s most exciting electric sports car’, the Thunderball (we don’t know if that will be its name in the market) has two electric motors at the rear end. These have a combined output of 494 kW (671 ps) and 1,100 Nm, which should take the 1,700-kg roadster from standstill to 100 km/h in a claimed 2.9 seconds.
The 83 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which comes from another sportscar company, Roding Automobile, will have 800V technology and can be charged at levels of up to 300 kW. A 500-km range on a full charge is targeted.
GT MF5, produced in 2009, had BMW V8 and V10 engines. Only 65 units were available.
Having many years of experience developing sportscars, Wiesmann intends to maintain the driving dynamics that its customers have enjoyed in its combustion-engined models. One approach is the way it has programmed the regenerative braking system to give the sort of feel which has been lost in most electric vehicles today. The Thunderball’s system will have 5 levels of braking and stronger braking forces that drivers can manage when heading into turns.
The styling will still have some retro undertones although there are also elements of modernity which reflect the new era of powertrains (and also the company). Besides the signature grille shape that was last seen on the company’s MF5 model, the new car will also retain the long-nose profile reminiscent of British sportscars.
The interior, like the exterior, has a blend of retro and modern themes. Modern materials like carbonfibre will be used for the dashboard which will incorporate a large display screen and no less than 7 analogue meters. The sports seats will also have carbonfibre shells to keep weight low.
Wiesmann will build the Thunderball at its own factory in Germany and has indicated a starting price of €300,000 (about RM1.37 million).
Following the presentation of the CURVV concept early in April, Tata Motors recently unveiled a second concept car which will be the basis of a new battery-electric vehicle (BEV) that will enter the market in 2025. The new concept car is called the AVINYA, the name being derived from the Sanskrit language to stand for ‘Innovation’.
“While making the AVINYA Concept a reality, the central idea was to offer a mobility solution like no other – a state of the art software on wheels that is well designed, sustainable and reduces the planet’s carbon footprint,” said N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons and Tata Motors. “Green Mobility is at the nucleus of Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM), and the AVINYA Concept is the perfect reflection of what the company stands for – a creation that will not only accelerate the adoption of EVs but also lead this movement.”
Expanding on Mr. Chandrasekaran’s statement, Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd., and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd., said: “It is indeed a matter of pride for us at TPEM to present the AVINYA Concept to the world, a vision pivotal in signalling a ‘New Paradigm’. Holding on to its values of Simplicity, Timelessness, Effortlessness and Grace, the AVINYA is not only a concept but is our new identity, an identity which is here to challenge the status quo. It gives me an intense sense of optimism to present a new typology of vehicles that will introduce the automobile industry to options beyond mobility – a tranquil space which will offer you a complete sensory experience while on the move.”
The AVINYA Concept is the first model built on the GEN 3 architecture developed for BEVs. This global platform offers high structural safety and has the next level of waterproofing and dust protection which may be a necessity in India and some other markets.
This architecture is built with the use of next-gen lightweight materials, efficient electronic componentry and proprietary energy management strategies and algorithms for efficiency management.
With this architecture, Tata Motors plans to produce a range of globally competitive EVs. These will have new age technology, software and Artificial Intelligence working in the background. To help in widening adoption of BEVs, Tata Motors aims to make the model fairly accessible to a majority of customers of fast-growing, high-volume segments of today.
The catamaran design served as inspiration for the AVINYA Concept, conceived as a premium hatchback with the versatility of an SUV and the roominess and functionality of an MPV. A significant highlight on the front and the rear of the vehicle is the new identity. Each side has ‘Butterfly’ doors, hinged at the front and at the rear. When both are open, a wide opening is available for entry and exit.
Such a concept is usually shown in concept cars but does not always continue in the production models. There are some models that do have it, like those from Rolls-Royce and as we have seen recently, the new Mazda MX-30.
The AVINYA Concept also has a skydome to further enhance the overall sense of space by letting in natural light from above. Sustainable materials are used, communicating the ethos of the product and as a finishing touch, there is an aroma diffuser.
Tata Motors’ designers have made an interesting departure from the trend of having more display screens (and larger ones too) around the cabin. They believe that less screen time is the way to go, and have minimised this aspect. This will eliminate distractions inside the car and create a stress-free environment for the mind and soul, they feel.
Tata Motors does not say much about the powertrain but intends to provide a battery pack with ultra fast-charge capability that will give a 500-km range in under 30 minutes. Other subsidiaries in the Tata Group will develop the batteries and EV technologies, giving the company an advantage in what will become a competitive segment of the global auto market.
