The last 2ZZ Elise R gifted to Toyota

[Midship Runabout]

Originally Posted by Lotus

To celebrate its long partnership with Toyota, Lotus did what any right-thinking car company would do. Give away a car. Lotus CEO Dany Bahar presented Toyota president Akio Toyoda with a Lotus Elise R at the British embassy here on Friday.
The Elise was equipped with Toyota's last 2ZZ-GE VVTL-i engine, the same engine found in older versions of the Lotus Elise and Exige.
"The presentation of Toyota's last 2ZZ engine in the Elise is a symbolic gesture of our continued respect and deep appreciation for our partner not only acknowledging our past, but also looking forward to our future together," Bahar said in a statement.
Toyoda chipped in: "A Toyota engine in a Lotus car creates a completely unique drive feeling--a special blend featuring the best of Lotus and Toyota that we hope many car lovers continue to experience and enjoy."
Lotus will continue to rely on Toyota for future tailor-made engines.
The Malaysian-owned Lotus promised more details on the Lotus-Toyota partnership in Paris on Sept 30.

http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring...19-237939.html



I cant wait till September 30th to see what lotus has to show.

[MtnDrvr86]

They will show the Lotus Elite http://www.insideline.com/lotus/elit...auto-show.html

Edmunds also as high hopes for future work from them ... This lack of an engine, and a long history of working together, has prompted Lotus and Toyota to "create tailor-made powertrain solutions for future Lotus cars." ... This could spell the end of after-the-fact tweaking for Lotus and perhaps a hot new motor for Toyota...say...for the FT-86. But that's pure speculation.
http://blogs.insideline.com/straight...evel.html#more

could be cool to see a mid-engine boxer mr2 based on a future lotus...and much cheaper then a Boxter

[Matador]

Originally Posted by MtnDrvr86

They will show the Lotus Elite http://www.insideline.com/lotus/elit...auto-show.html

Edmunds also as high hopes for future work from them ... This lack of an engine, and a long history of working together, has prompted Lotus and Toyota to "create tailor-made powertrain solutions for future Lotus cars." ... This could spell the end of after-the-fact tweaking for Lotus and perhaps a hot new motor for Toyota...say...for the FT-86. But that's pure speculation.
http://blogs.insideline.com/straight...evel.html#more

could be cool to see a mid-engine boxer mr2 based on a future lotus...and much cheaper then a Boxter

I think if anything, Lotus' ECU engineers might be easier to bribe that Toyota's. Good news I'd say, look into the future

Secondly, anything based on a Lotus isn't going to be *that* cheap. Doesn't the Elise cost about as much as a boxter?

I was going to make a thread about the Elite last night, but I fell asleep fantasizing that it'd be the new SC and that the Supercharged IS V8 would be in the GS-F

[MtnDrvr86]

Well I dont know how much it would cost, but I know vauxhal(sp?) and opel had cars based on the elise, but I dont know how much they cost since they wernt sold in the US. Of course, on the other end of the spectrum, is the dodge EV and a number of other EV/hybrid cars have used lotus chasis

[Midship Runabout]

Originally Posted by MatadorRacing_F1

I was going to make a thread about the Elite last night, but I fell asleep fantasizing that it'd be the new SC and that the Supercharged IS V8 would be in the GS-F

wake up with your underwear stuck to your leg?

[Dark]

Originally Posted by Dixie Normous

wake up with your underwear stuck to your leg?

I wonder what a guy does to make his underwear stuck to his leg when he wakes up. ROLF

[Midship Runabout]

oh my god oh my god oh my god
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...th-612-hp.html
612 hp lotus elite... yes please.

[Dark]

Originally Posted by Dixie Normous

oh my god oh my god oh my god
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...th-612-hp.html
612 hp lotus elite... yes please.

Yes. Tweaked 5.0L V8 IS-F's engine increase the horses by almost 200. That's amazingly insane.

[WingsofWar]

Originally Posted by Dixie Normous

oh my god oh my god oh my god
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...th-612-hp.html
612 hp lotus elite... yes please.

careful even with that nicely put HP number, that chassy still weighs down a hefty +3600lbs. Even as a Lotus, there are some risks as this is sort of a new territory for Lotus, still achieving a nimble car with a overall larger car.