Anyone know anything about Lotus?

[skydragoness]

Does Lotus only design the chassis and suspension? Do they use their own engine designs? Or does another manufacturer make engines for them? I heard the Elise is powered by a Rover-built engine.

anyone know?

BTW: who make the v8 that's in the Esprit??

[miteymax86]

The new Elise does use a Rover-built engine but, much like the Cosworth people, Lotus is actually pretty famous for their head work, they helped out Daimler/Chrysler with the Spirit R/T, so they know how to make engines, I just think they went with the Rover engine to keep cost down since that same engine is applied in a lot of different cars overseas I think it's also the NA Mini engine but I could be mistaken. Lotus also used the 1.6 Isuzu engine in the 90-91 Elan.Yes, Lotus made the engines for the Esprit in house too. Hope I helped.

[skydragoness]

Thanks! i just had a bet thing going with my online friend, thanks mitey!

[MaineExport]

I'm sure you already know of the "Handling by Lotus" on your "other dream car"!!:D

[skydragoness]

oh i certainly do, but that's all i know, lol

[Stoneage_Turbo]

lotus build there own engines some of the time , but there ususaly based off of a production engine , the europa started out with a renualt engine and transmission in the series 1, by the series 2 they came up with there own take on that engine and transmission , they took early ford cortinas and turned them into lotus cortinas , lotus 7s i belive were powered by 4cyl ford "kent" engines . im almost thinking the espirt v8s are indeed rover 3.5l V8s but im not sure about that and im positive they have little im common with a regualr rover v8 , probably new heads and stuff like that .coarse our beloved 1991 elan s1 and 1992 elan s2 are powered by the isuzu turbo4

as for the other lotus cars , eclat,60s elans,elises,4cyl esprit, and the still born replacemnt for the esprit , i am not sure who made those engines

alot of brittish cars that have v8s are of around 4 litres and based off of the old early 60s amerian aluminum buick 235 cubic inch V8 , they still use this engine in a couple cars today , amazing how long that design can be updated and redone over its 40 years in service , only the small block chevy can beat that

the opel/vauxhall speedster is powered by the GM ecotech 4 and the car is actualy desinged and based offf of the elise , ive seen 3 prototypes here in alaska , gm has denyed int he past of a american version but after seeing these 3 im not sure , we might just get a 3rd generation fiero yet ..i wish i had my camera that day

sorry for the babbleing , spent a year as a brittish car mechanic and caught the bug , never saw many louti but the ones i did see i fell in love with

[UncleBen]

all i know about lotus is i want a new yellow esprit

[APEXi240]

I read (I think in SCC) that it is still up in the air as to what the Elise will be powered by when (or better yet if) it ever comes here. In the article they stated the Toyota Celica/Matrix GT-S engine. If that was the case the Elise would be slaughtering everthing on the road.

[s14=pimpin']

****Homer Simpson voice****

"Hmmmmmmmmm, Lotus"-

[reggiegsd]

lotus build there own engines some of the time , but there ususaly based off of a production engine , the europa started out with a renualt engine and transmission in the series 1, by the series 2 they came up with there own take on that engine and transmission , they took early ford cortinas and turned them into lotus cortinas , lotus 7s i belive were powered by 4cyl ford "kent" engines . im almost thinking the espirt v8s are indeed rover 3.5l V8s but im not sure about that and im positive they have little im common with a regualr rover v8 , probably new heads and stuff like that .coarse our beloved 1991 elan s1 and 1992 elan s2 are powered by the isuzu turbo4

as for the other lotus cars , eclat,60s elans,elises,4cyl esprit, and the still born replacemnt for the esprit , i am not sure who made those engines

alot of brittish cars that have v8s are of around 4 litres and based off of the old early 60s amerian aluminum buick 235 cubic inch V8 , they still use this engine in a couple cars today , amazing how long that design can be updated and redone over its 40 years in service , only the small block chevy can beat that

the opel/vauxhall speedster is powered by the GM ecotech 4 and the car is actualy desinged and based offf of the elise , ive seen 3 prototypes here in alaska , gm has denyed int he past of a american version but after seeing these 3 im not sure , we might just get a 3rd generation fiero yet ..i wish i had my camera that day

sorry for the babbleing , spent a year as a brittish car mechanic and caught the bug , never saw many louti but the ones i did see i fell in love with

Lotus has only built two engines for road cars. These are the 4 cylinder 907 engine used in the '70s and '80s elites, eclats, and esprits and the V8 used now. The same engine was used in the Jensen Healy. The non-turbo version was a 2.0 or 2.2 liter, aluminum block and head, with twin cams. The US version was good for about 145 hp and 25,000 miles. The european version was good for 160 hp. Fuel injection added about 20 hp to each engine. This engine was very loosely based on a Vauxhaul design. I've rebuilt two of these engines because casting material was left in the oil galleys and restricted flow to the bearings.

The Esprit Turbos used the same engine with a cast iron block, 2.2 liters, and anywhere from 220 hp to 280 hp. It lasted longer too, about 40,000 miles.

The current V8 is two of the four cylinder engines on the same crank. 3.5 liters and well over 300 hp.

If you think of Lotus engines as bombs that explode slowly, you wont be far off.

[UncleBen]

heh. if i have enough money to get a new esprit TT, i'll have enough money to get it fixed after 40k miles. i just wanna drive one. just one time, thats all i ask.

[bodyman240]

there was an elise in scc that was powered by a type R motor(not the stock engine). It also outperfomed the old Cobra R, with a 155 whp disadvantage. Not to shabby.

[Stoneage_Turbo]

kick *** reggie , thankx for the imput ,...

the eclat was a 4cyl ???seemed like a big car for just a 4, coarse ive never seen one in person

jensen healy , only saw 2 of those my whole life , neat cars

[UncleBen]

there was an elise in scc that was powered by a type R motor(not the stock engine). It also outperfomed the old Cobra R, with a 155 whp disadvantage. Not to shabby.

i remember seeing that test. the magazine chose the elise over the cobra R i believe, because of its amazing handling, and its speed. it was about as fast as the cobra, if not faster if i'm not mistaken

[bodyman240]

yea you're right the article states that the lotus did 0-60 in 4.4sec and the cobra did it in 5.3sec. Also the quarter for the lotus was 12.6 and the cobra was 13.4. It also beat the cobra by three seconds around the track.

[APEXi240]

Well, 195hp (at the fly), is a lot for a 1600lb car (or is it 1800?). Plus its got the whole Mid-Engine/Roaster handling thing going for it. I loved that test, I still have the mag.

[Bubba1]

I was in an Esprit a few years ago, nice low car, but they're getting to be like the Morgan. They've hardly changed in 25 years, except for sticker price . Although still attractive, I think they are starting to look dated. I'd love to drive an Elise if they ever bring them over, but zero desire to own one.

[reggiegsd]

Lotuses have one major problem.

Colin Chapman (Mr. Lotus) was about 5'7" and weight 160 lbs. ALL real Lotuses (not Lotus Cortinas and such) were built for him. If you are any bigger, you don't fit.

I was 6'2" and 230 when I owned a '71 Lotus Elan. I didn't get in it, I put it on. Loved the car. It just didn't fit.

[theTony]

There is someone in Louisville that is on the waiting list for a new Elise. Apparently they are begining to export those here. They are awesome cars. Extremely lightweight. I got some great pictures of a green one with the top off parked on a quiet street in Worcestershire, England when I was there a couple of years ago. It was the first time I had seen one up close. If I had a scanner, I'd post them up.

[Thor]

I worked on an older Subaru...had Lotus suspension parts. The car was a "beater," i.e. OEM. I thought this was of interest.