new US Lotus Elise info....
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new US Lotus Elise info....
Toyota Power For New Elise
Some say that all the best stuff comes from America, but we've never had
to thank the USA for a Lotus before. Exclusive spy shots in the current
issue of Auto Expresss magazine confirm what we suggested back in issue
733 - the firm has shoe-horned a 190bhp Toyota engine into the Elise.
Tell-tale signs on this development car are mostly at the back, where
blanking plates cover the standard model's pipe outlets, and a
centre-mounted exhaust has appeared. The wheels also give the game away,
with five-stud rear alloys borrowed from the VX220 Turbo, suggesting
that the Vauxhall's beefier suspension has been adopted. The eight-spoke
fronts are taken from the 111S, which forms this prototype's
underpinnings.
So what's the American link? The Elise is to use a 2.2-litre VVTi Toyota
engine and gearbox so it can be exported to the States without the need
for expensive emissions tests. The powerplant is already on sale in
America in the Camry. Lotus bosses are keen to return to the US market
as soon as possible, since their only export - the Esprit - has been
discontinued.
Of course, the Japanese-engined Elise will also go on sale in the UK,
alongside the existing K-Series unit. However, it is likely to replace
the track day-inspired Sport 190, which is peaky and impractical in
daily motoring. The new model will also let Lotus catch up with
Vauxhall's VX220 Turbo, which has raised the standard for stripped-out
high-performance roadsters.
The engine was one of a number considered for the Elise. It was chosen
over a larger 2.5-litre V6 Rover unit and Honda's 2.0 VTEC from the
S2000, because these were seen as too expensive, big and heavy for the
job. If the new Toyota-derived model is a success, the running gear is
likely to be adopted across the range when a new Elise is launched in
2005. A concept which will reveal the replacement's styling is expected
at next year's Geneva Motor Show. Chris Thorp
Some say that all the best stuff comes from America, but we've never had
to thank the USA for a Lotus before. Exclusive spy shots in the current
issue of Auto Expresss magazine confirm what we suggested back in issue
733 - the firm has shoe-horned a 190bhp Toyota engine into the Elise.
Tell-tale signs on this development car are mostly at the back, where
blanking plates cover the standard model's pipe outlets, and a
centre-mounted exhaust has appeared. The wheels also give the game away,
with five-stud rear alloys borrowed from the VX220 Turbo, suggesting
that the Vauxhall's beefier suspension has been adopted. The eight-spoke
fronts are taken from the 111S, which forms this prototype's
underpinnings.
So what's the American link? The Elise is to use a 2.2-litre VVTi Toyota
engine and gearbox so it can be exported to the States without the need
for expensive emissions tests. The powerplant is already on sale in
America in the Camry. Lotus bosses are keen to return to the US market
as soon as possible, since their only export - the Esprit - has been
discontinued.
Of course, the Japanese-engined Elise will also go on sale in the UK,
alongside the existing K-Series unit. However, it is likely to replace
the track day-inspired Sport 190, which is peaky and impractical in
daily motoring. The new model will also let Lotus catch up with
Vauxhall's VX220 Turbo, which has raised the standard for stripped-out
high-performance roadsters.
The engine was one of a number considered for the Elise. It was chosen
over a larger 2.5-litre V6 Rover unit and Honda's 2.0 VTEC from the
S2000, because these were seen as too expensive, big and heavy for the
job. If the new Toyota-derived model is a success, the running gear is
likely to be adopted across the range when a new Elise is launched in
2005. A concept which will reveal the replacement's styling is expected
at next year's Geneva Motor Show. Chris Thorp
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They are pretty cheep too. Suppose to start at $38,500
1800 pounds, 190hp and 0-60 way under 5 seconds (the UK version of the 111S elise only has 156Hp and will accelerate the car to 60mph in 5.1 seconds 0-100 in 14 sec) handling like a dream...........9.47lbs/hp. I'll take one.
1800 pounds, 190hp and 0-60 way under 5 seconds (the UK version of the 111S elise only has 156Hp and will accelerate the car to 60mph in 5.1 seconds 0-100 in 14 sec) handling like a dream...........9.47lbs/hp. I'll take one.
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