The Lotus LMP P1/01 Race Car Is A Black And Gold Beauty

We’re big fans of the black and gold Lotus livery that originally appeared on the John Player Special-sponsored F1 cars of the 70s. It’s used on the Lotus F1 team’s current car, but we’re always happy to see it splashed over other cars, like the Exige LF1, and now this: the Lotus P1/01 prototype race car, which has been unveiled at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The car will compete in the LMP1-L privateer category of this year’s World Endurance Championship. It’s already missed three rounds, though - including Le Mans - due to a late switch in powerplants. It was originally destined to use an Audi-derived unit, but the team changed to an AER turbocharged V6. Few details of the engine have been released, but it’s expected to be between three and four litres.

The P1/01 is built on a carbon composite monocoque chassis, and sends its power through a six-speed sequential gearbox. Total weight for the machine is 850kg. Just one car will be run in the championship, with Christijan Albers, Christophe Bouchut, James Rossiter, Pierre Kaffer and Thomas Holzer sharing driving duties. It’ll be undergoing extensive testing before its debut at the 6 Hours of the Circuit of the Americas in September.