Lotus Type 66 - The Rediscovered Can-AM Racer

LOTUS
TYPE 66

THE REDISCOVERED CAN-AM RACER
Released in an exclusively limited production run

THE LONG LOST LOTUS

In the late 1960s, Lotus created a concept for a Can-Am series race car. The plans were
never developed and believed lost – until Chapman’s son Clive unearthed them in 2016.
Now, the Lotus Advanced Performance division is bringing Colin Chapman’s vision to life,
leveraging cutting-edge technology to create a truly unique piece of automotive history.

TYPE 66, AN UNRIVALLED DRIVING EXPERIENCE.

THE PRODUCTION RUN OF 10 PAYS HOMAGE TO THE NUMBER OF
ROUNDS IN THE 1970 CAN-AM CHAMPIONSHIP.

IDEA

REALISATION

Colin Chapman originally worked with Geoff Ferris, the Team Lotus draughtsman, to develop a series of schematics outlining the shape and features for a Lotus Can-Am car. The drawings were copied on to microfilm and stored in secret.

IDEA

REALISATION

Using state-of-the-art computer software, the team led by Russell Carr, Lotus Design Director, digitised the schematics and created 3D renders of the Type 66. The original designs were delicately reinterpreted, making use of modern engineering techniques and safety standards.

THE SPIRIT OF
THE PAST

Coinciding with the 75th anniversary of Lotus, the Type 66 launch is testament to our
continued desire to reimagine the very best elements of our heritage, updating them for
drivers in the most thrilling way possible.

PURE PERFORMANCE

PEDIGREE

The Canadian-American Challenge Cup which the original Type 66 was designed for was an all-out spectacle of speed. Competition cars were allowed unrestricted engine capacity and minimal technical restrictions.

HISTORY NEVER FELT
SO MODERN

The Type 66 is engineered to deliver a quintessentially Lotus driving experience, with an emphasis on lightweight agility, aerodynamics, and full-throttled fun. This is not a classic car continuation, but a contemporary re-imagining of the original Type 66 concept.

CHOOSE FROM TWO
ICONIC LOTUS LIVERIES

The two red & gold and black & gold colourways pay homage to classic racing liverys
used by Lotus in the 1970s and 80s. Discerning drivers can also create a fully customised
Type 66 using the bespoke colour and trim service

RED

BLACK

DRIVER-FOCUSED
DETAILS

Race-ready minimalism meets luxurious materials and tactile controls. Inside the sculpted cockpit the driver is cradled in plush leather, with period-inspired instrument dials, hand-stitched steering wheel. and a polished wood gear shift.

THE HEART OF TYPE 66

True to its origins, the Type 66 is fitted with a period-representative V8 push-rod
engine. Mid-mounted directly behind the cockpit for optimal weight distribution,
the V8 is tuned by Lotus to produce more than 830 bhp at 8,800 rpm*.

ELEGANT AERODYNAMICS

More than 1,000 hours of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) processing has refined the Type 66 aerodynamics package to absolute perfection. The wedge-shaped bodywork with side-mounted radiators is inspired by the Type 72 Formula One car, and can generate over 800 kg of downforce – more than the total weight of the vehicle.*

ENGINEERED TO 21ST
CENTURY STANDARDS

The Type 66 retains period Can-Am characteristics, such as the large rear wing and exposed engine intake trumpets, enhanced with modern day materials and technologies. Carbon fibre panels, power steering, a sequential gearbox, anti-lock brakes, and an anti-stall multi-plate clutch ensure it remains a thoroughly modern performer on the track.

FORMIDABLE LAP TIMES

Advanced Driver-in-the-Loop technology has been used to test how the Type 66 would perform on famous race tracks around the globe, with the simulated lap times comparable to modern GT3 race cars.

silverstone

SILVERSTONE

GT3 record: 1:58.2
Type 66 simulation: 1:59.7

+1.5 seconds

The Type 66 was going to be a truly awe-inspiring car. Never did I imagine that the design would ever make it to the track.

Clive Chapman
SON OF THE FOUNDER, COLIN CHAPMAN

FEATURES AND SPECS

EXTERIOR

Moulded carbon fibre body
Removable front & rear sections
‘Live lock’ panel fixing
Adjustable rear wing

INTERIOR

Period analogue dials
Traditional rocker/flip switches
Telematic data logger

ENGINE

V8 5.8 litre feat. exposed intake trumpets
Electronic fuel injection system
830 hp @ 8,800 rpm max power
≥750Nm downforce
Lightweight exhaust system

CHASSIS

Aluminium monocoque frame and chassis panels

GEARBOX

6-speed Sequential
Racing Gearbox / Paddle Shift Transaxle layout 
Wooden gearshift 
Dog gear engagement 
Mechanical limited-slip differential

SUSPENSION

Adjustable dampers (F & R)
Double wishbones (F & R)
Adjustable anti-roll bars (F & R)

PERFORMANCE

0 – 62 mph (0-100km/ h) ≤ 3.0 secs
≥ 180 mph / 290 km/h

WEIGHT AND DOWNFORCE

≤ 950 kg unladen
≥ 800 kg at 240 km/h

STEERING SYSTEM

EPASS motorsport power steering
Quick-release mechanism

BRAKING SYSTEM

Vented carbon ceramic brake discs
Race ABS
Braided brake hoses
Adjustable Pedal Box

WHEELS AND TYRES

Lightweight Centre-locking wheels
F – 10Jx15, R – 14J x15
Modern slicks tyres 
F – 245/580 R – 350/620

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Motorsport ECU and TCS

Fixed rollover bar Racing front and rear carbon fibre crash structures
𠊏ire extinguisher Rear rain light
6-point racing harness
Battery and engine kill switches

Single carbon fibre seat

(option of moulded to driver’s shape)