Lotus engine dvelopment.

[Martin]

Well here we have Lotus running all their cars on engines that were not designed by them. I' ve heard that the new Esprit could be running on something from BMW or even Aston Martin.
My question is: what are the chances of Lotus developing an engine anytime soon?

It looks like they are doing fine without their own and it does cost a lot to do it, but I would love to see a Lotus engine back in a Lotus eventually.

[WayneB]

God wouldnt we all!

The problem is though that Lotus cant presently afford to put an engine of their own design and manufacture into production solely for use in Lotus cars, so I suppose until another collaboration can be struck (like the 907 Jensen Healey deal) we wont be getting any more Lotus powered Lotuses (shame)

The old ZR-1 (LT5) Mercury Marine assembled Corvette engine was a great example of what Lotus could achieve with adequate backing.

[eurosport]

God wouldnt we all!

The old ZR-1 (LT5) Mercury Marine assembled Corvette engine was a great example of what Lotus could achieve with adequate backing.

While I've got a soft spot for the old ZR-1 (built not 50 mi. away from me) which was, I think, an offshoot of the stillborn 908, it was quickly forgotten in Corvette annals except for it's uniqueness. It was never put in production at the (then a big deal and touted in advance) target 400hp (was ~396 or something) and was quickly bested or surpassed by the base LS1 (? rusty on my L's) vette motors.

Nice idea, but I don't lose a lot of sleep over it. The 907 was certainly a long play but did Lotus ever win a race in a factory effort (F1, Le Mans, etc) with a Lotus motor? Lotus is all about chassis and style to me. :D (dunno how "factory" the X180R competed...)

Cheers!
Eric
(tho' not wanting to get into an engineering/history joust with Wayne....:eek:)

[Martin]

I can go ahead and tell you that I do know that Lotus won a few races with the X180R. I forget the name of the series. I'm sure someone will chime in with an answer though.

[gtlotus]

I believe it was the SCCA Escort World Challenge

[WayneB]

While I've got a soft spot for the old ZR-1 (built not 50 mi. away from me) which was, I think, an offshoot of the stillborn 908, it was quickly forgotten in Corvette annals except for it's uniqueness. It was never put in production at the (then a big deal and touted in advance) target 400hp (was ~396 or something) and was quickly bested or surpassed by the base LS1 (? rusty on my L's) vette motors.

Nice idea, but I don't lose a lot of sleep over it. The 907 was certainly a long play but did Lotus ever win a race in a factory effort (F1, Le Mans, etc) with a Lotus motor? Lotus is all about chassis and style to me. :D (dunno how "factory" the X180R competed...)

Cheers!
Eric
(tho' not wanting to get into an engineering/history joust with Wayne....:eek:)


Eric, the LT5 engine was capable of alot more than 400 hp, the LS series of engines are just alot cheaper to manufacture (alot more profit for GM):)

[eurosport]

Eric, the LT5 engine was capable of alot more than 400 hp, the LS series of engines are just alot cheaper to manufacture (alot more profit for GM):)

...it took Chevy a few years to (allow Lotus to) pump it up to 405 from the original 375. An exclusive vehicle, though many may have thought the $30k option package a little hard to swallow for 75 or even 100 extra horses. Callaway did build a 782hp Supernatural ZR1, tho' :eek:

:)

[Günter]

..... but did Lotus ever win a race in a factory effort (F1, Le Mans, etc) with a Lotus motor? Cheers!
Eric
(tho' not wanting to get into an engineering/history joust with Wayne....:eek:)

i think the 918 engine was not so bad in GT-championship in its time, :rolleyes: for a small company... .



And yes, the only Corvette i would love to buy is the ZR-1 !
But for now im happy with my other *not german all alluminum V8 32 valve dohc turbo* engine (What a great concept :D )