Race fans gathered at a packed Autosport International Motor Show opening day as Lotus Renault GP unveiled their 2011 livery.

With a huge stand at the centre of Birmingham NEC's hall 20, the black and gold design - which had been hidden under a black sheet all day - lined up alongside an impressive Lotus line-up for the coming season, when the Norfolk marque will compete in Le Mans, Indy Car, GP2 and GP3.

Group Lotus have entered into a �100million title sponsorship of Enstone's Renault F1 team that finished fifth in last season's Formula One constructors' championship.

Son of Lotus founder Colin Chapman, Clive, was on hand to help with the grand unveiling, alongside F1 team principal Eric Boullier and Lotus' head of motorsport, Claudio Berro.

BBC F1 commentator David Croft called the shots in front of the bumper show crowd.

Poland's Robert Kubica and Russian star Vitaly Petrov will continue with the team for 2011, driving the R31 which is set to be officially unveiled in Valencia on January 31.

Lotus Renault are set for a bitter battle, both on the track and in the courts, with Hingham's Team Lotus as both outfits lay claim to use the iconic Lotus marque for 2011 and beyond.

Team Lotus had originally stated they would race in black and gold next season – but they have agreed to back down and will instead return to the green and yellow scheme of 2010, leaving the iconic JPS livery to the new Lotus Renault team.