Key facts
- Lola Cars is producing new T70S continuation cars, available for historic racing or road-legal use.
- The car utilizes magnesium extracted from seawater via solar-powered electrolysis.
- Bodywork is made from a composite system including basalt, flax, and sugarcane-derived resin.
- Lola claims a 54% reduction in the T70S's carbon footprint compared to traditional manufacturing.
- The road-legal T70S GT features a 6.2L V8 engine and an electronically controlled H-pattern transmission.
Lola Cars is reviving its iconic T70 race car with a new iteration, the T70S, set to debut in 2026. The company, which underwent bankruptcy in 2022, is producing 16 continuation cars configured for historic racing events or as UK road-legal T70S GT models.
What sets the new T70S apart is its innovative use of sustainable materials. Instead of traditional, carbon-intensive magnesium processing, Lola extracts magnesium from seawater using solar-powered electrolysis. This method significantly reduces the carbon footprint and avoids harmful shielding gases. The bodywork also features a novel composite system developed by Lola, utilizing basalt outer layers, flax inner layers, and a PFA resin derived from sugarcane. This new composite reportedly offers superior finish and stability compared to traditional fiberglass.
Lola Cars claims that these material choices have resulted in a 54 percent reduction in the T70S's carbon footprint, with a cradle-to-gate footprint of just 4.6 tons of CO2e. The road-legal T70S GT is equipped with a modern 6.2-liter GM V8 engine, offering 500 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque, while meeting emissions standards. It also features a unique fly-by-wire H-pattern transmission, designed to provide the feel of a classic manual gearbox while incorporating modern electronic control for performance and safety.
According to Matt Faulks, executive innovation director at Lola Cars, the new materials and construction methods result in significantly improved panel gaps and overall stability compared to original T70 models. The T70S is designed to comply with FIA historic racing regulations, ensuring its eligibility for classic motorsport events.