 The
Lola B160 was the first chassis designed exclusively to the LMP 675
rules. Originally commissioned by MG as the MG-Lola EX257,
the chassis benefits from Lola's experience with their
B2K/40
SR2 chassis and also the B2K/10
LMP 900 chassis. This is exemplified by elements from both chassis'
showing up in the B160. The Lola is a very contemporary carbon tubbed,
single hooped, light LMP chassis. Under 2003 ACO LMP 675 rules, the
Lola was in theory capable of taking the race to the bigger LMP 900 cars.
In a rough comparison of published weights (2002 ACO scrutineering weight)
and horsepower between the MG-Lola (450 hp, 1509 lbs.) and Audi R8 (a very
conservative 550 hp, 2000 lbs.), the Lola actually had a power to weight
advantage of 3.35 lbs./hp, compared to the Audi's 3.63 lbs./hp. Add
to that an advantage in fuel consumption and tire wear (which equates to
less time in the pits), when all is said and done, it shouldn't have been
a surprise when the Dyson Racing entered Lola-MG won overall at the Sears
Point round of the American Le Mans Series.
For the 2003 Petit Le Mans Jon Fields of Intersport Racing added a new twist to his Lola-MG EX257 by installing a 3.4 liter Judd V8 in lieu of the MG power plant. For 2004 and beyond the Lola chassis will
be known as the Lola B160.
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The
initial concept rendering. It embodies the design architecture of
the final design, yet details are slightly different. 
