There are two versions of this Series 2 Elise model available: a European 111R variant and a Federal Elise version offered in North America. It is powered by a 1.8 L (1,796 cc) DOHC Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine made entirely of aluminum alloy that produces 189 horsepower (192 PS; 141 kW) and has a twin-cam head with variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust valvetrain. The transmission is a Toyota C64 6-speed manual. Although the engine was a Toyota loan, Lotus tuned it specifically for the Elise. Numerous testing indicate that the vehicle can reach 060 mph (097 km/h) in about 4.9 seconds, or 4.7 seconds with the Sport Package.
In the summer of 2004, the 2005 Lotus Elise became the country’s first car to be offered for sale on a regular basis. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which intervened in the approval process for the Elise because it did not adhere to US bumper and headlight rules, granted the vehicle a three-year exception. There were a few issues with the first-year model, chief among them being a headlamp design error that caused the sun’s light to be amplified, melting the inside of the lamp housings. [27]
The Elise 111R and Sports Racer models for the 2006 Model Year came after this one. The Lotus Sport Elise is a version that Lotus produced in a small quantity (50 in the US). A few features of 2006 models are different from those of 2005 models. The 2006 models come with ProBax seats that are more comfortable[citation needed], LED tail lights, drive by wire (an upgraded ECU), and better fuel efficiency.
A few minor alterations were made to the Lotus for the 2007 model year. Raised letters took the place of the flat stickers that once served as the LOTUS decals on the back of the car. Units for the headlamps were sealed. Additionally, the frontal crash structure was somewhat modified and rear bumperettes were placed next to the license plate mount in order to meet with US Federally imposed bumper limits. About 100 “launch” automobiles for the 2007 model year were sent to the US without these bumper modifications. The 111R was renamed the Elise R, and the Elise S was also released in 2007. The redesigned headlights and 2.5 mph (4.0 km/h) bumpers are standard equipment on all Lotus Elise vehicles created from January 1, 2007, however they are concealed in the front.
The K series Rover engine from the previous generations was replaced by a 1.8 L (1,796 cc) engine from Toyota in the Elise S, which is the new base model. At 6,200 rpm, the 2ZZ-GE engine generates 189 bhp (141 kW; 192 PS) (a considerable increase over the 120 bhp or 89 kW or 122 PS of the Rover engine). The basic weight has increased to 860 kg (1,896 lb) due to the addition of airbags, ABS brakes, electronic windows, and carpet in addition to the larger, heavier engine (approximately 85 kg or 187 lb higher than the previous S model). [Reference needed]
In This Article...
Is there a Toyota engine in the Lotus?
One of the best vehicles of the recent ten years is the Lotus Evora. A friendly interaction with a machine outweighs everything a computer can do to an automobile, serving as a reminder that light is good and fat is bad.
However, there is a vehicle that comes equipped with a naturally aspirated Evora 400 engine, a roomy backseat, a radio that wasn’t ordered from the Crutchfield catalog, and a peaceful and cozy interior. The Toyota Camry is the vehicle of choice for urban Uber drivers and customers across our wonderful nation.
The revised 3.5 liter V6, known as the 2GR-FKS, in the most recent Camry produces 301 horsepower when combined with direct and port injection. With the 1.8-liter inline-four from a Celica, Matrix, Corolla, and more powering the Elise and the 3.5-liter V6 in the Evora and Exige, Toyota has been a longtime partner of Lotus. If you hadn’t guessed, Lotus gives the V6 a supercharger and new engine management software to give the Evora 400 horsepower, from whence it derives its name.
Except for the keenest among you, most people can’t tell these two cars apart at a look. That led us to speculate that we might not be able to do so when operating a vehicle. We could take both cars to a controlled environment and drive them as quickly as possible to see if the engine similarities would translate into a similar driving experience, even though we couldn’t get in with our eyes closed and begin driving because that would probably lead to a number of problems, including catastrophic accidents.
Lime Rock Park was the controlled environment of choice. The mix of elevation change and turns that demand an extraordinary degree of effort, in addition to being a tight bullring and one of the great, historic tracks in our country, highlights both a car’s strengths and weaknesses.
Every trim that the manufacturer now offers the Evora in, each with its own personality and purpose, has been driven by us. One thing they all have in common is a desire to compete and a readiness to run nonstop laps on any track. Even on a day when the weather varied from windy and chilly to windy, rainy, and chilly, the Evora 400 is nothing short of stunning on Lime Rock’s 1.5-mile circuit.
When did Lotus start using Toyota motors?
Toyota engines were first introduced by Lotus in 2004. The 1.8 liter units come in the 2ZZ and 1ZZ variants. Depending on the model and specification, the 2ZZ engine, which is utilized in the 111R and Lotus Exige, can either be normally aspirated or supercharged and produces between 189 and 260 horsepower. The ‘entry level’ Lotus Elise S uses the 1ZZ engine.
The following key models of the Toyota-powered S2 Lotus Elise:
The 2004-released Elise 111R has a 1.8-liter Toyota 2ZZ engine with a 6-speed transmission. A useful 189 bhp of power results in a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.9 seconds. Additionally, the suspension has been altered, and the ABS brakes have been adjusted for the track. The name Elise 111R had been modified to Elise R by 2007.
Both the Lotus Exige and Lotus Exige S use the same 1.8-liter Toyota engine that powers the 111R. However, the engine of the Lotus Exige S is supercharged, giving it 218 horsepower and a 060 mph time of slightly over 4 seconds. Redesigned front and rear clamshells, a fixed roof, and a rear aerofoil mounted on struts are some of the body modifications over the 111R.
Elise S: Despite its rather ambiguous nomenclature, this Elise is not a supercharged Exige S. Instead, it makes use of a 5-speed transmission with a naturally aspirated 134 horsepower Toyota 1ZZ engine. The entry-level Elise was replaced by this model after its introduction in 2006.
The first supercharged Elise, known as the Elise SC, was introduced in 2008. It has a different supercharger than the Exige, which allows for a more compact installation, but it still generates about 217 bhp of power.
Who produces the engines used by Lotus?
With the Elise in 2004, Lotus started using Toyota engines, and they do do today. However, that can alter. In order to free up the Swedish company to work on electric drivetrain development, Lotus parent company Geely today revealed its decision to combine its internal combustion engine development with Volvo. In a news release, Geely stated that all of its brands, including Lotus, will use the internal-combustion and hybrid powertrains it is developing.
As a type of transitional vehicle between the existing Elise, Exige, and Evora and a range of entirely new sports cars coming in a few years, Lotus is preparing a new sports car based on its current chassis for next year. It would be reasonable to suppose that those upcoming sports cars might have Geely engines. Though Lotus is likely to continue using Toyota engines for the foreseeable future, the next Evija hypercar will use a 2000-hp electric drivetrain that was created in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering.
Volvo currently only makes three- and four-cylinder engines, depending instead on forced induction and electric motors to provide performance comparable to that of V-6 and V-8 engines. The majority of Geely’s engine options are three- and four-cylinders, while the Emgrand GT sedan does have a 3.5-liter V-6 option.
This news shouldn’t frighten Lotus fans. As demonstrated by the Toyota engines and the Rover K-Series four-cylinder in the first Elise, Lotus is capable of accomplishing remarkable feats with seemingly standard powertrains. Remember that the great majority of Lotus’ road-going cars have utilized four-cylinder engines if it decides to completely give up on V-6s.
Are Lotus cars trustworthy?
You can’t just click your fingers and erase sixty years of unreliability, but you can try.
The majority of customer reviews for the Lotus Elise have been favorable. The Lotus Elise has received 4.8 out of 5 stars from customers on carbuyer, and 88% of customers would suggest it to a friend. Reliability ratings have also been largely favorable. Many people have had their Elise for at least five years with very few complaints, and reviews have ranged from ordinary to five stars.
Despite this, there have been some reports of faults with the engine, electrics, and suspension; however, it is unknown where these issues originated from or how severe they are. As a result, they can just be the result of wear and not be unique to the Lotus Elise. When comparing ratings for the Lotus Exige to those for the Elise, we find that reliability is rated even higher overall, at four and five stars. Although the reason and severity of several clutch and suspension difficulties are unknown, these issues have been recorded.
Therefore, it would seem that Lotus are much more reliable than they ever were, and owners tend to be really happy with their Lotus model.
Which Lotus’s engine is a Camry?
According to the YouTube channel Thatdudeinblue, one of the best things about the Lotus Evora GT is that it appears to belong next to a Ferrari. But purchasing or owning one is not as pricey. The Toyota Camry engine’s supercharged variant, which drives it, is one of the causes of this.
Each Evora GT is equipped with a mid-mounted, 416 horsepower Camry 3.5-liter V6 engine, according to Car and Driver. With the six-speed automatic transmission, it can produce up to 332 lb-ft of torque.
You receive a limited-slip differential with a manual transmission, which improves traction. The rear wheels receive power. They praise the smooth, “torquey, with an empowering growl from the supercharger as it approaches 4500 rpm” Toyota-sourced V6. They thought the clutch was a tad heavy, but they enjoyed the manual transmission’s mechanical shifter.
They enjoyed how well the car handled turns and how responsive the steering was. The unusual supercharged Camry-based engine, when coupled with the lightweight Lotus, accomplishes the task and provides a fun ride in the process.
Are Lexus and Toyota engines identical?
The engines used by Lexus brands are almost identical to those used by Toyota. A four-cylinder, a V6, or a V8 are the three types of engines found in Lexus vehicles. For instance, the 3.5Ltr V6 Engine is shared by the Toyota Avalon and the Lexus ES.
The number of cylinders in an engine varies, and the more cylinders an engine has, the more powerful it is. Consequently, the V8 has twice the power of the four-cylinder engine.
Engines with fewer cylinders, however, offer additional benefits. They are more fuel-efficient and lighter. The engine will weigh and cost more as the number of cylinders increases.
Mazda uses a Toyota engine, right?
The anticipated hybrid powertrain for the 2023 Mazda CX-50 is the pinnacle of Mazda and Toyota’s collaboration. Dave Coleman, the CX-50 crossover’s dynamic engineer, verified that Toyota is the manufacturer of the SUV’s gas-electric drivetrain.