Lotus' new direction might be a bit unsettling at times, but you can't fault the company's commitment to motorsports. Earlier this year the company announced its involvement with Renault for a official Lotus-backed F1 team, and today in  Geneva, enhanced its ongoing FIA and ACO GT race car car program with the unveiling of the Evora Enduro GT Concept.

Intended as the starting point for GT2 and new GTE race cars, the Enduro GT Concept is the base from which the others will be homologated to racing standards. It specs certainly seem up to the task.

Power comes from a 4.0-liter 2GR-FE Cosworth-tuned dry-sump V-6 engine, with maximum output of 440 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 332 pound-feet of torque at 5,500 rpm. Unladen weight for the car starts from 2,561 pounds, making it light enough to meet minimum weight in most classes.

The rear wheels get their power from the engine through an XTRAC 426 six-speed sequential gearbox. An optional pneumatic paddle-shift system can be fitted. Handling comes down to a forged double wishbone layout, four-way adjustable Ohlins TTX36 dampers, coaxial coil springs, increased camber, and adjustable anti-roll bars. Mated with racing slicks, it should prove formidable, especially with its mid-engine layout.

Braking is handled by Alcon six-pistons up front and four-piston rears, clamping two-piece discs at both ends. Forged aluminum 18x8.5-inch wheels in front and 18x10-inch wheels out back hold the rubbery meats in place.

Beyond that, it's a race car: fire suppression, HANS-compatible six-point harness, Cosworth Omega instruments, and polycarbonate windows all around.