Lola Cars Innovates with T70S Race Car Made from Seawater and Plant Fibers

Lola Cars has unveiled the T70S, a revolutionary race car that integrates sustainable materials, debuting in 2023. Executive Innovation Director Matt Faulks explained that the T70S incorporates magnesium extracted from seawater through solar-powered electrolysis, significantly reducing carbon emissions compared to traditional methods.

Innovative Materials in the T70S

The T70S showcases a unique composite bodywork system, featuring basalt outer layers and flax inner layers, combined with a PFA resin derived from sugarcane. This new material not only enhances performance but also outperforms fiberglass in tensile strength and stiffness. Faulks noted, "The quality of the bodywork in terms of finish, stability out of the tooling, et cetera, is so far beyond an original GRP. We can compare them side by side, and the T70S is much better."

Environmental Impact of the T70S

Lola Cars' lifecycle analysis revealed that the T70S's carbon footprint is reduced by 54%, resulting in only 4.6 tons of CO2 e during its manufacturing process. This demonstrates Lola's commitment to sustainability in motorsport. The company aims to lead the way in eco-friendly racing technologies.

Specifications of the T70S and T70S GT

The T70S, configured for historic racing, comes alongside the road-legal T70S GT, which features a modern Chevy small block V8 engine. The T70S outputs 530 hp, while the T70S GT offers 500 hp. Key specifications include:

• Torque: T70S - 400 lb-ft, T70S GT - 455 lb-ft
• Transmission: Hewland
• Weight: Lightweight composite construction

Faulks emphasized the design philosophy behind the T70S GT, stating, "I wanted to hide anything digital behind the analog, making sure it doesn’t distract from the driving experience." This attention to detail enhances the car's nostalgic appeal while incorporating modern technology.