Will Lotus use the FR-S motor?
 

What if Lotus takes the 4U-GSE flat 4 and puts it right behind the driver in a small chassis? Picture a car the size of the current Elise. If the FR-S/Gt 86 have one of the lowest center of gravity in production cars, a Lotus built as I described would have to be lower. If Lotus tweaked the motor with cams, exhaust and tuning, it could probably get 220 hp flywheel. It would be a lil heavier than the current base Elise, but it would have more power and a lower COG.

transverse boxer engine setup has already been done by subaru


its possible but it wouldnt lower the CoG because its a transverse layout, maybe by a small amount but it wouldnt outweigh the fact boxers are heavier than inlines and transverse boxer set ups require a higher mounting point because the transmission drive axles have to pass below exhaust manifolds...

the only benefit would be a small increase in power to weight and fuel economy, but it wouldnt be in favor of weight distribution of a 1900 lb car...

weight and weight distribution is everything lotus is about, power isnt what is most important to them, they dont need a lot to move their cars...

Yeah, I would love the FRS motor in a 1995 lb elise. It's the perfect motor for the chassis and Lotus would probably bump 10 more hp out of it as well.

although this has changed recently hasnt it? arent they throwing away their old philosophy and using bigger beefier engines and in result adding more weight to their cars.

That used to be true, but nowadays Danny Bahar disagrees with you.

Personally, I just don't see it happening.

I agree especially since they won't be sourcing engines from Toyota anymore.

Last I read they were going to develop a couple new engines in house

Um, what?

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Unfortunately Lotus have more need for 6 and 8 cylinder engines these days than 4. Just look what has become of the Exige. With the recent goings on at Proton, it could be anyone's guess where Lotus is heading the next 18-24 months.

Introduced in November 1993, the Impreza was offered in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) versions and as a four-door sedan/saloon or five-door station wagon/estate.

BAM use wiki more :D

Um, it's longitudinally mounted...:lol:

...and if that was you point, they used boxer engines before the impreza even existed ;)


As for a mid-engine featherweight, my senior year of FSAE the sub-team leaders got together and we hashed out the plans for one and pitched it to an investor. He was on board and then the economy took a crap. Now we just kind of kick the idea around every once in a while. I think I'm just going to make my own exo car with one of the numerous EJ that I have sitting around...yes, I know about the 818 and am don't like the chassis nor engine package room. Don't know enough about the suspension geometry they have to comment on that.

CarbonBLUE - have you seen FWD Impreza is setup? If not, you should

Ding! Winner.

i was giving trolling atry, its not my thing....

successful troll... unsuccessful... going back to my day job.... lol...