Tag: elise

Report: Lotus to phase out Toyota-powered Elise and Exige with special Final Editions

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Lotus, Specialty

2009 Lotus Exige S260

2009 Lotus Exige S260 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Lotus’s supply of Toyota 2ZZ-GE engines has finally run out, meaning production of the company’s highly popular Exige and Elise will come to an abrupt halt in July. To commemorate its track-day superstars’ success, Lotus will send the cars off with an extremely limited number of Final Editions. With Lotus up to its axles in financial uncertainty, this may represent your last chance to get your hands on a new Lotus Elise or Exige.

There are two trim levels planned for the Exige’s parting-shot model. Lotus says it will build 30 examples of the Exige S260 Final Edition for North America, with Lotus’ Track Pack, Tour Pack and LSD as standard. If that’s not special enough for you, Lotus is offering 25 customers the chance to have their S260 painted matte black. Price for the “standard” S260 is $67,500, with the matte-black version ringing the register at $69,900.

American and Canadian fans of the Elise have fewer options, with only 15 examples of the 2011 Lotus Elise SC Final Edition planned. Lotus says the car will get the buyer’s choice of four color schemes based on the Europe-only Elise Club Racer. To sweeten the deal, the Elise SC Final Edition will come loaded to the gunnels with options. Price for the last Elise is $57,500. If you’re hoping to get your hands on a Final Edition, get in line now.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Lotus Exige S 260

Gallery: Geneva 2010: 2011 Lotus Elise

[Source: GGLotus]

Report: Lotus to phase out Toyota-powered Elise and Exige with special Final Editions originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Apr 2011 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus Elise Club Racer is stripped-out, Geneva-bound hotness

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Lotus

Lotus Elise Club Racer

Lotus Elise Club Racer – Click above for high-res image gallery

Lotus, the automaker that defines what it means to “add lightness,” has created an even more stripped-out version of its already flyweight Elise. Called the Club Racer, this lighter two-seater will make its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show next month.

The Elise Club Racer is a full 52 pounds lighter than the standard car, and Lotus achieved this by removing the noise insulation and using a motorsport-derived lightweight battery. This might not seem like an enormous weight savings, but when you consider that the base Elise already weighs in under the 2,000-pound mark, even a small weight reduction is noticeable.

To make the Club Racer even more special, Lotus has fitted a sport setting for the car’s Dymanic Performance Management (DPM) system. This advanced driving aid allows less-experienced drivers to feel at the top of their game, and can be completely shut off for the more experienced enthusiasts.

Look for the Elise Club Racer to go on sale in the near future, priced from £27,500 ($44,590 based on current exchange rates). Currently, it’s unclear whether or not the Club Racer will be available in the United States, but we should have more details after the car’s official debut in Geneva in just a few weeks. For now, follow the jump to read the official press release.

Gallery: Lotus Elise Club Racer

Lotus Elise Club RacerLotus Elise Club Racer

[Source: Lotus]

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Lotus Elise Club Racer is stripped-out, Geneva-bound hotness originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus gifts Toyota an Elise with last 2ZZ engine

Filed under: Japan, Lotus, Toyota

Lotus CEO Dany Bahar presents Akio Toyoda with a Lotus Elise R – Click for high-res gallery

The last Toyota 2ZZ-GE VVTLi four cylinder engine has been built, and Lotus got it. Lotus CEO Dany Bahar and Toyota Motor Corporation president Akio Toyoda came together at the British Embassy in Tokyo for a celebration where Toyota was presented with an Elise R carrying the engine by Bahar. The shindig marks a new chapter in the two companies’ partnership, one that will allow Lotus to create powertrains that are more exclusively its own in future cars with the continued cooperation of Toyota.

Designed for Toyota by Yamaha, the 2ZZ-GE engine owed a lot to motorcycle engine practice, and the wide-angled valves and variable valve timing and lift system enabled the high-revving engine to develop 100 horsepower per liter, and even more when supercharged. Power levels floated between 160-180 hp naturally aspirated and as much as 250 when supercharged and intercooled.

The question now is what engine Lotus and Toyota will cook up to take the place of the 2ZZ-GE, now that its veteran power unit has been retired. We should find out more on that front at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. Follow the jump to see the press release.

Gallery: Lotus gets the last Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine

[Source: Lotus]

Continue reading Lotus gifts Toyota an Elise with last 2ZZ engine

Lotus gifts Toyota an Elise with last 2ZZ engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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