Lotus confirmed this week that it has been working on its own engine family since December, with the first fire-up scheduled for Aug. 18 (go ahead, mark your calendars). Intended for the redesigned Esprit, the first engine will be a 4.8-liter V8 that produces 562 horsepower at a screaming 9,000 rpm. A turbocharged version will produce at least 612 hp in an Esprit R model.
"Our engine is 80kg lighter than the Lexus V8 we were going to use," Lotus Engineering Director Wolf Zimmerman (an AMG veteran) told CAR Magazine. "It's also very compact with its dry sump -- it's 40 percent smaller, just 612 mm long. At 170kg, it's more like a race engine."
Indeed, it's been hinted that the new engine will make it into a racing application before the 2013 Esprit is launched. The next step would be dropping cylinders from the V8 to create an engine line-up that would include a 3.6-liter V6 and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder destined to be in the 2015 Elise. According to CAR, an automated single clutch automated manual will be used rather than a dual-clutch set-up and a hybrid is possible.
( CAR )
kevm14 says:
12:44 PM, 06/24/11
A 3.6L V6 and a 2.4L 4...hmm, I can't think of a company that makes anything meeting that description. Odd.
spdracerut says:
03:12 PM, 06/24/11
Kevm14, Nissan comes to mind (VQs in 3.5 and 3.7, KA24 or QR25). And GM too actually (Camaro and old pretty sure the old Berretta was a 2.4L). And Honda (V6 used in everything and the K24). And Toyota too of course.
I say, about damn time Lotus ditched those crappy Toyota engines!
firstwagon says:
04:14 PM, 06/24/11
Is there any car company out there that hasn't made a 2.4 and a 3.6?
saturn95 says:
05:40 PM, 06/24/11
@firstwagon
Lotus
;)
kevm14 says:
08:29 PM, 06/24/11
First thing I thought of was GM. Actually the LNF would go nicely in the next gen whatever. But they're doing it in-house, apparently.
emajor says:
10:44 PM, 06/24/11
spdracerut,
Toyota makes decent engines, particularly their 3.5L V6. Its strong, smooth, efficient, and still holds up very well against the competition despite being 5 years old. I know paying Toyota a compliment on enthusiast sites is heresy, but it needs to be said.
Besides, the Toyota engines are proven to be reliable. If Lotus is starting from scratch, the first buyers of these new engines are brave.
jr27 says:
02:50 PM, 09/ 9/11
I am so glad Lotus has decided to start making their own engines and compete in the supercar section.
I cant wait!