19 January 2011 / Lotus Media Center




Lotus Type 125 Track Debut

Jean Alesi and James Rossiter put the F1 inspired race machine through its paces at the Autodromo di Vallelunga
Lotus? F1 inspired customer race car, the Type 125, had its first official run out at the Italian track earlier this week as F1 legend Jean Alesi and Lotus factory driver James Rossiter completed over 200 kilometres during the two day test.
Commenting on the test, Lotus? Director of Motorsport Operations, Miodrag Kotur said: ?We?re very happy with the initial performance of the car, there are still some things that we want to improve on but that?s natural at this stage and that?s exactly why we test. Between them Jean Alesi and James Rossiter have an incredible wealth of experience and they put this to good use in Vallelunga.?
Lotus Type 125 Ambassador Jean Alesi said: ?Testing is always a big challenge, it?s a different kind of pressure to racing but you still can?t relax for a second. I enjoyed my first outing in the car, it?s great to be involved at such a crucial stage in the cars? development, I really feel like I can help to make this car as fun to drive as possible.?
Lotus factory driver James Rossiter said: ?The Type 125 is unique, it?s intense, it?s extreme and it?s very raw. I can honestly say that I think it?s the closest a ?normal? person can get to driving an F1 car. Vallelunga was great, we learnt a lot about the car there and I?m really
looking forward to the next test in a few days, it will be really interesting to see how the car responds to the conditions of a very different track.?
Next week (25th and 26th January) the Type 125 will test at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi?s F1 track, where Alesi and Rossiter will be joined by a very special ?yet-to-be-announced? test driver before 15 potential buyers get their chance behind the wheel.
ENDS Notes to Editors
About the Type 125
The Lotus 125 is an exclusive ultra high performance F1? inspired race-car complete with Cosworth 3.5 litre GP V8 engine producing 640bhp linked to a six-speed semi automatic gearbox with paddle shift.
Unlike a Formula One car however, an army of technicians and mechanics is not required to start the engine and keep the car running. The start button is all the driver needs to press to get going.
Purchasers of the Lotus Type 125 will be able to choose from a range of liveries including the Exos concept design, or as an option, their own, bespoke livery.