Lola revives iconic T70 with Chevrolet V8, sustainable engineering

Lola was once one of Britain’s most celebrated race car manufacturers, dominating endurance and open-wheel racing before its collapse in 2012.

Now revived under entrepreneur Till Bechtolsheimer, the marque first embraced Formula E, but has since reignited its legacy by returning to the thunderous V8-powered racecars that made it iconic.

That revival takes shape in the reborn T70, now reimagined as the T70S. Faithful to its 1960s predecessor, the car has been developed using archival drawings and detailed scans, preserving its unmistakable design and raw driving character.

At its heart remains a Chevrolet-based V8, delivering the same visceral performance that defined the original.

Introduced in the late 1960s, the Lola T70, designed by Eric Broadley, represented a high point for the British marque. It achieved major success in the United States Road Racing Championship (USRRC) through the early 1970s, before being eventually superseded by newer racecars.

Designed to rival Ferrari, Ford, and Porsche, it paired advanced wind tunnel-tested aerodynamics with 500 HP Chevrolet V8 engines, giving privateer teams a competitive and relatively affordable entry into endurance races like Le Mans and the Nürburgring.

Two versions of the T70S will be available: A track-only model meeting FIA historic racing regulations with 530 HP and a road-going T70S GT with 500 HP.

Both offer supercar-level performance, with 0 - 97 km/h times under three seconds and top speeds near 321 km/h. Its transaxle gearbox and double-wishbone suspension also mirror those of the original car.

The road going T70S GT complies with global emissions standards while still delivering exhilarating performance. It accelerates from 0–60 mph in 2.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of around 200 mph. The GT also features improved ride comfort, refined ergonomics, climate control, and limited luggage space.

While the performance credentials remain deeply rooted in tradition, the manufacturing process represents a significant leap forward.

Lola has developed a proprietary method known as the Natural Composite System, which replaces conventional carbon fiber with a blend of flax and basalt fibers combined with renewable resin. This results in body panels that are entirely free from petrochemicals.

Lola’s technical director, Peter McCool, describes the T70S as a bridge between eras, seamlessly combining the raw excitement of classic motorsport with cutting-edge innovations.

Limited to just 16 units, the T70S fuses racing heritage with sustainable engineering, showcasing how Lola’s legacy can evolve to meet the demands of the future.