On 27 August 2010 is a significant date for Lotus Cars Ltd. today leave the factory the latest Elise / Exige with Toyota's 1.8 VVTL-i, otherwise known as 2ZZ-GE . At the presentation in Geneva in 2004, were not few people turn up their nose to the presence of a Toyota engine under the hood of the newly 111R, and some critics did not fail during the test drive because of its answer a bit 'bland below 6000 rpm. The 2ZZ from 192 hp and 180 Nm, designed in collaboration with Yamaha (motorcycle manufacturer's influence is evident both in how the power output and torque as well, from a certain point of view, the sounds of the same engine) was placed and still stands in sharp contrast to his predecessor 1.8 Rover K Series, considered by many purists still the real engine for the Elise though marred by the fragility of the head gasket, Lively and fragile the Rover, but less emotional Bulletproof Toyota. The turning point came in 2005 with the presentation of Exige 240R, a limited edition of 50 pieces: the 2ZZ, paired for the first time a lobe Eaton M62 supercharger and an intercooler, it reaches the threshold of 243 horsepower and 236 Nm of torque. But the biggest change you have in the delivery: power and torque are now distributed more evenly throughout the rev scale, with the peak reached above 8000 rpm. In 2006, the compressor sees the light for the first time in the new edition is not limited Exige S, which helps the 2ZZ to provide more than 220 horses. The Exige S is a success and soon eclipsed sales of the aspirated variant, which will be dropped in 2008, when it comes to the Elise SC . SC on the supercharged Toyota engine loses the intercooler because of space in the engine compartment of the Elise, but the values \u200b\u200bof performance remain the same. The highest point in the career of 1.8 is reached in the same year with the renewed Exige Cup 260-hp. In late 2009 the first rumors: The 2ZZ is a Euro 4 engine and from 2011 all cars must be approved in Europe 5 Euro. The home of Hethel has neither the budget nor (probably) the desire to modify the engine to make it conform to standards, Toyota bosses have no intention of making investments on an engine that has died for them in 2006 with the release of production of Celica (sigh!) and MR2. The end of the 2ZZ is announced. In February, presents the new Elise with 06.01 Euro 5 engine, which replaces the 1ZZ-FE, the younger brother of the 2ZZ mounted the entry level Elise S. A few days ago the news, farewell 2ZZ, which means immediate halt to the production of R Elise, Elise SC, Exige S, Exige Cup 260 and 2-Eleven. In other words are ordered only Elise S 1.6 and Evora. The future? In a little over a month at the Paris show will know everything. A Exige R with 280 hp V6 is rumored for years now ... it's the right time?
Meanwhile in Paris, today were presented with two versions of the Evora coaches: the S Evora and Evora IPS. The first (pictured above) is the most awaited version of spicy from standard 280 hp: a compressor brings the power of 350 hp and weight (alas) to 1430 Kg purists and critics turn up their nose in front of this fact: it is true, is not a car lighter, but is perfectly in line with the increased competition (see 911). Sure, some chiletto less would just like ...
IPS instead stands for Intelligent Precision Shift , in other words it is a version with 6-speed automatic transmission (in the photo above is a summary of paddles), especially appealing to customers overseas and in the Middle East. A new feature that was announced two years ago to the presentation of Evora. Now
looks forward to Paris and now some new Esprit ... hoping that the New Era much heralded by the Lotus does not prove a loud and embarrassing crap ...
Meanwhile in Paris, today were presented with two versions of the Evora coaches: the S Evora and Evora IPS. The first (pictured above) is the most awaited version of spicy from standard 280 hp: a compressor brings the power of 350 hp and weight (alas) to 1430 Kg purists and critics turn up their nose in front of this fact: it is true, is not a car lighter, but is perfectly in line with the increased competition (see 911). Sure, some chiletto less would just like ...
IPS instead stands for Intelligent Precision Shift , in other words it is a version with 6-speed automatic transmission (in the photo above is a summary of paddles), especially appealing to customers overseas and in the Middle East. A new feature that was announced two years ago to the presentation of Evora. Now
looks forward to Paris and now some new Esprit ... hoping that the New Era much heralded by the Lotus does not prove a loud and embarrassing crap ...
