Lotus: Training days test owners' mettle

The Who's Roger Daltrey with a Lotus Evora. Photo / Supplied

Lotus is looking at driver-training days at tracks such as Hampton Downs once it sets up shop in New Zealand.

Its track days in the United Kingdom lure stars such as British rock legend Roger Daltrey, who is passionate about go-fast cars.

The lead singer of The Who is a regular at the Lotus test circuit and was on hand when the company hosted an international press event for the Evora S, the Evora GT4 race car and the T125, the Formula One-inspired car that Lotus is offering in its Exos Experience.

The Lotus Driving Academy offers a range of courses using its own British track and the Hungarian Formula One circuit.

"We are looking at using tracks in Australia and New Zealand for the academy," said Edward Rowe, PR chief for Ateco Automotive, Lotus' new distributor Downunder.

"They are an excellent sales tool for both bringing customers to the brand and demonstrating what the cars are capable of in a safe and controlled environment. Likewise for owners, track days enable them to explore the capabilities of their cars."

Ateco Automotive is a multi-franchise distributor headed by expat Kiwi businessman and yachtsman Neville Crichton. Aside from Lotus, it imports Ferrari, Maserati, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Citroen, and China's Great Wall and Chery vehicles into Australia and New Zealand.

The Lotus 125 is an exclusive race car complete with a Cosworth 3.5-litre V8 engine producing 480kW and linked to a six-speed semi-automatic gearbox with paddle shift. The Exos Experience is an elite club in which Lotus 125 owner-drivers can challenge themselves with Formula One-like technology combined with one-to-one advice from former Grand Prix drivers and trainers.

The Lotus 125 cars cost $1.25 million each.