Lotus may phase out Toyota-powered models

[Dinesh]

http://www.zerotohundred.com/?attachment_id=19942

Supply of Toyota's 2ZZ-GE engines that have powered the Lotus Elise and Exige is running out for Hethel, Norwich based carmaker and that leads to the conclusion that the run of models powered by those engines will be coming to an end in July. To mark the occasion, Lotus will be producing a limited number of Final Edition models.

Two trim levels will be available for the end-off models. Lotus has said that it will make 30 units of the Exige S260 Final Edition for the American market. It will come with the Lotus Track Pack, Tour Pack and LSD as standard. Furthermore, out of the 30 customers lucky enough to get their hands on one, Lotus will alow 25 of them to have their S260s painted in matte black.

The Elise will be sent off in even less numbers as Lotus will only be making 15 of the Elise SC Final Edition. Buyers will get to choose from four colour schemes that is based on the Europe-only Elise Club Racer. The Elise will also come loaded to the brim with options.

Source: Autoblog

 

[jp.s2000]

better have K20A engine with supercharge... dun give us campro turbo...

 

[HKS-GT2835R]

time to get honda-sourced 2.0 vtecs!

 

[Tom]

The K20A was in fact considered during the production of the current Lotus Elise but was shelved due to higher cost of the engine. furthermore, with a strong business relationship between Lotus and Toyota, the 2ZZ engine was chosen instead.

but, like you we are hoping the K20A will make its way to the last of the Elise and Exige

 

[g4i8y0t]

Could it also mean new generation of lotus cars will be unveiled soon?

 

[Waiora_ProTuner]

Rover K Series - 96.5 kg
Toyota 1.9VVTi - 137 kg
Honda S2000 (F20) - 158kg

can't find how much the K20A weigh..but you got the idea...
trading off lotus purity for hp...its marketing nowdays...

 

[koolspyda]

sorry to be a spoilt sport.

toyota handed over the last production 2zz-ge engine lotus, or at least the last production 2zz engine from the toyota's yokohama factory, Lotus fitted it onto the elise and on on 19th sept 2010 gifted that elise back to toyota (to be placed into the toyota museum, my guess).

The 1zz-fe engines however, which is strapped onto the lotus S, i believe lotus put order a given amount to carry thru till or at least end financial year or next.

https://www.techinfo.com.my/index.php/lotus-gifts-toyota-an-elise-with-last-2zz-engine/

due to the uncertainty years 2004-2005, & the slump sales of sports coupe, toyota pulled the stops of the 2zz strapped celica to US. it was only a matter of time then, the 2zz-ge won't be economical to manufacture.

for the matter-of-fact even the s2000 was also pulled out from US due to slump sales (2009) for it was horrendously dragging down honda coffers. (good halo car but honda loses for every S2k sold).

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/090107-Honda-Cancels-2010-S2000/

the F20 & F22C engines won't see the likes of it in another marques.

tom, its was probably the official story on lotus vis-a-vis honda engine/higher cost/relationship but far, far away too, was a lingering rumour (It's was speculation) back then honda was tiffed off by then lotus (colin chapman's era) for not living up to promise/their word of having lotus preparing/help develope honda's fray into F1 car. so.. if conspiracy does have their way, we won't ever see a honda engine in a lotus (officially that is) while we know it wont stop independent tuners. K20A anyone??

there are speculation that lotus wants to develope their own engines as they feel the market (snub) to non conti engines will still be there & may prevent lotus in capturing new markets with their up coming Esprit, Elan, the new Elise, Elite, Eterne.

 

[lancemapei]

4B11

 

[Veloc]

Sakit hati... Although I love toyota but this time I must admit the K20A would be the best.

2ZZ-GE> Beautiful, potent, characterful and powerful. But can't help thinking that an additional 200cc would be better!

3S-GE> Lovely. Has all that the 2ZZ has except the "lift" factor. That makes all the difference. More lift would be much better compared to the compromising valve overlap.

4A-GE> On of my dream engines... A bit old though...

 

[koolspyda]

a tuned NA 2zz (220hp) runs amazingly on track. there are tons of you tube videos.

 

[bera]

if i'm not mistaken...there is 1 featured k20 supercharged equipped lotus elise in best motoring touge showdown usa...the get a thumbs up from tsuchiya himself...that show how potent honda powerplant are...plus the featherweight chassis and lotus handling characteristic...a true supercar eater IMHO...

sadly to say...nowdays toyota have gone soft in terms of making engines...rarely see production model equipped with performance engine anymore...its either green engine or hybrids...missed all those high revving yamaha tuned engine...

i would love to see a rotary engine in a lotus though...a two rotor unit should be enough to propel the car to warp speed without messing with the car entire balance...

regardless of how much power an engine make...it all boils down to one thing...total balance...that what makes a lotus a lotus...no need for super high hp to have fun...still can be daily driven and be track monster on the weekends...

 

[VTECBrag]

question remains whether lotus will continue producing the lotus elise/exige or will they shift platform? Also, the latest ecofriendly 1.6 L toyota engine they are using can be supercharged to get something like 190bhp

 

[HBS]

if i'm not mistaken...there is 1 featured k20 supercharged equipped lotus elise in best motoring touge showdown usa...the get a thumbs up from tsuchiya himself...that show how potent honda powerplant are...plus the featherweight chassis and lotus handling characteristic...a true supercar eater IMHO...

sadly to say...nowdays toyota have gone soft in terms of making engines...rarely see production model equipped with performance engine anymore...its either green engine or hybrids...missed all those high revving yamaha tuned engine...

i would love to see a rotary engine in a lotus though...a two rotor unit should be enough to propel the car to warp speed without messing with the car entire balance...

regardless of how much power an engine make...it all boils down to one thing...total balance...that what makes a lotus a lotus...no need for super high hp to have fun...still can be daily driven and be track monster on the weekends...

Easy maa....take those R1/FJR1300 engine....individual throttle body,intake tract & billet flat-plane crankshaft that can be revved up to 13.5k....(R1 engine only...the FJR at slightly less at almost 11k rev)

& because the Kawasaki ZX10R is taking back the HP king in litrebike engine(207hp 998cc plus ram-air effect) so I think next year Yamaha would counter attack that too with latest development of flat-plane engine....perfect high rev engine for those small elise!

 

[redsider]

err...in the poll...4A-GE into Lotus??? how it'd be possible??? Lotus wouldn't even think twice to scrap it...hehe. unless Toyota produce something similar to 2ZZ that could surpass K20...who knows?

 

[Supra_Fanatics]

If can put in F20C inside Lotus Elise also not bad xD

 

[are_i]

wht about renault engine???? will it be posible
since they have collaborate in f1 :hmmmm:
wht do u guys think

 

[D7zul]

From my point of view, Honda K20A is the most powerful engine from the list.. NA tune..

my vote goes to K20A..

* i gotta get myself a honda vtec..

 

[bangkai_jk]

13B NA side ported

 

[bera]

13B NA side ported

yes...that would be nice...better yet R26B ...