Lotus Exige R-GT Rally Car

Just before Christmas, Lotus Motorsport successfully completed two major tests ahead of the upcoming season.Lotus Motorsport is showing no signs of slowing down these days as they have just reported the successful testing of both their Exige R-GT Rally car and IndyCar engine.Just a few days ago on December 22nd at Dallara's headquarters in Varano Melegari, Palma, the IndyCar engine test was conducted under the supervision of Group Lotus Director of Motorsport Claudio Berro and other team technicians. They were reportedly more than satisfied with the results.The next step is to move forward with preparing the engine and the car for shipment to the US where it will begin full testing in January. And the good news didn't stop there.The Exige GT-R, which is the Rally version of the new Exige S, also had its first shakedown where it handled exactly as expected. Needless to say, the team was also happy with this and has said that testing will continue in the coming months leading up to the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship season where the car will compete in the GT category on asphalt at events in Monte Carlo, Tour de Corse, and San Remo.The Exige R-GT and S are both powered by an Evora-derived supercharged 3.5-liter V6, but the Rally version has less power because of FIA-mandated 34mm air restrictors.The road going Exige S has an output of 345hp and is mated to a six-speed manual. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of 170 mph.