Yesterday, we posted some views from Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar, who revealed that Lotus is developing its own engines for future cars. The Proton owned sportscar firm uses Toyota engines in its present range, but is pursuing self development after an Internet survey with 10,000 responses pointed in that direction.
Now, Autocar UK reveals that work on the new engines started late last year, and the first prototype V8 will fire up next month. Their sources claim max power of around 550-570 horses, and that Lotus engineers are targeting Ferrari’s V8 as benchmark. The naturally aspirated 4.5-litre V8 in the Ferrari 458 Italia makes 570 horses at a hair raising 9,000 rpm and 540 Nm of torque.
There are also plans to carve out a four-cylinder unit from the V8, but should this not work out, Toyota is the fallback. Dany Bahar said that the Elan has been delayed from its five-year plan due to its too close positioning with the flagship Esprit, and the funds from this will be used to develop the modular engine family.
Among other issues the survey brought up was the Eterne – does Lotus need a four-door Panamera fighter in its range? Not essential perhaps, but Bahar explains that because of the modular component concept of the future range, the Eterne is essentially a four-door version of the Elite (a big GT coupe) and won’t require much additional cost. Both cars will share over 75% components, so it’s no harm trying, so to speak.
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I can’t wait to hear the Lotus’ self-developed engine note!
Make sure to have it posted here Danny.
cant wait for lotus engine to be planted into a neo perhaps :)
My VIVA ELITE is better…
Nope.Viva Elite Exclusive Special Limited Edition is better.
Nope Kimia, U miss out “sport ultra” should be Viva Elite Sport Ultra Exclusive Special Limited Edition.
Nobody even talks or dreams of owning a Lotus nowadays. The last was the Lotus Esprit Turbo. That was the 80s. After that, everybody’s dream is either a Porsche or Ferrari.
To make matters worse, Malaysia took over. Then the brand really died. It used to be a dream car to every young British lad. When Proton took over, nobody bought the car. Nobody even bothered to look at the Lotus brand. Its not like VW or BMW is the parent company. Its Proton! Its like Lada from Russia being the parent company.
Now, I see from above, it has Toyota engines. You want me to fork out half a million to buy a Toyota engine or a superb Porsche engine with precesion engineering?
Lotus is no longer in the dreams of people because they focused on making lightweight performance cars for the REAL drivers.
Dreamers aren’t drivers.
And there goes that ‘lightweight’ ethos too. These new range of Lotuses aren’t going to be lightweight no more, certainly not with a V8. All this revealed in Paris last year including expected kerb weights.
Yup, lotus cars are focus on “Performance through Lightweight” and superb handling.
Before danny came in and after no more Lotus Esprit – I think Lotus is not position them-self as a Ferrari, Porchse, Lambo or Aston competitor. They create cars for Lotus enthusiast who appreciate their “Philosophy”.
Danny here to bring back the Lotus “Era” and they can stand same level with Ferrari, Lambo, Porsche and Aston. Really hopes all the plan workout.
The Italia 458 engine as their benchmark “wow” me. Thumbs up.
Who are those real driver? This company making losses year in year out. Screw the real driver. They are not supporting.
Without volume sales, the company will go bust again. How to make money when your volume is like Pagani Zonda? As usual, GLC will pay the bill.
second that
Look at the kerb weight of the newly launched cars and you will see, it is more or less the same as other performance cars. Please get your facts right before giving people false information. Only a dreamer would give false info.
I also dont mind if they use LFA engine V10… hehe but would cost a bomb.
Lotus=Protong=boring..
That toyota engine is pretty good though. Might not be as quiet as a porsche engine, but then again… it’s all part of the fun. Nothing beats hearing a wailing supercharged v6 behind your shoulders. It’s raw, but it’s not bad by far.
Toyota-Lexus “powered IS-F and LFA” is nothing less compared to that of Porsche one..So does the Nissan VR38DETT…Porsche doesn’t stand out in term of engine segment among super cars…
perhaps you would into the bandwagon of buying ‘mutated frogs’ aka Porsche or the prancing horse but owning a Lotus is one of my dreams. You have to got to see and hear one in real!
I saw one Exige S in Penang that day and the sound was just simply incredible! Besides, what’s wrong being managed by Malaysians? Are you shamed of being a Malaysian or you just simply think anyone else other than Malaysians are better?
hahahaha…another thing is before proton took over you dont event know Lotus exist….
Probably you did not have tv at home that time. James bond was using eprit. Maybe now Cicakman can use it as transport.
Lotus have been using Toyota engines for years..the much loved Elise is running with toyota engine…real drivers appreciate that since they get to enjoy their Lotus knowing the engine will not fail on them, hence they can concentrate on driving …I know cos i’ve driven one (but can’t afford to own one)…
If you want to dream get a Honda. The power of Dreaming..
cut that in half, the 4 cylinder engine needs to power our proton, campro is too old already..bahar’s make or break mission should be implemented with proton..
Is it the Ferraris V8 engine is really good?
Or Mr. Ex- Ferrari just want to make Lotus as a prototype car to run the engine…
Actually it is a good engine.
It has just won this year Performance Engine of the Year
http://www.ukipme.com/engineoftheyear/winners_11/bestperf.html
wish Lotus all the best in developing the engine…I hope it would benefit Proton in all aspect..
Thats what we call DEVELOPMENT
just imagine if these engine is in PROTON factory.. of course it will….
Persona R with 570 bhp…..
nahh with malaysian attitude.,.. best let org putih use it only…..
PROTON making money global only…. hahahahahah
250bhp is more than enuff..to lotus, if u want to use other manufacturer’s engine,use one that got brand name la,…toyota?? pffft~ atleast renault-nissan…or just make your own
‘more than enough’ if they stuck to their old credo ‘simplify then lighten’ but Bahar has got other plans that is going to tip the scales of the car to around 1.2-1.4 tonnes if I recall correctly which would make 250hp quite mundane for a sports car
Hope proton can get the benefits from the engine development.. Lotus tech is Proton rights.
Holly smokes the Elite rear end looks so sweeeett! maybe bcoz of that tiny spoiler/lid that is a scares in sportcars design nowdays
Invite them designers to Proton!
Agree… Elite looks flawlessly… not any single angle looks awkward.
The flaw will only be found when you have a huge fat stomach and cannot get out of the driver seat… !
Just took their design or ask them to design and make it a proton…they’re parts of proton
WOW..! Just takes my breath away.
No harm using the toyota engine ..really. They make some of the best engines in the world. It could even be a selling factor. Personal opinion : Better spend the fund to focus on great built quality / materials ( Lotus’s major drawback) and utilize on hybrid tech from Toyota. Good Luck Lotus. We love you …
toyota so-called good engines didnt even get to the top 10 best engines of the year…
check here..http://paultan.org/2011/05/20/international-engine-of-the-year-awards-fiat-bags-top-prize/
only malaysian worships toyota/ japanese engines..bcoz we cannot afford others..heheh
very interesting. especially when u mentioned ” we cannot afford others”… exactly my point. Have a Lotus with a powerfull engine(like toyota 3.5 liter V6 hybrid) + twin turbo with reliability, then slash the price down to nissan 370Z pricing bracket …and probably a 4 door ( please reconsider Eterne again) . It would look marvelous with Ferrari Red and Beige leather to match. ….AND THEN FINALLY ….A SUPER 4 DOOR CONVERTIBLE 2+2…with rear suicide doors and call it …LOTUS EVILLE ( with matt british racing green and cream leather)…sorry guys I’m getting a bit carried away.
A mediocre engine is good enough for Malaysian. We can’t even get the car prices right.
lu langsi ka amoi??
eveli bodi wan to drive felali enjin la..
lu jangan manyak tipu sama kita olang la amoi!
they should use kia/hyundai instead i think….highly efficient…my sonata response quite well
I prefer turbo, not the v8..
this Bahar still delusion about his Ferrari ambition..
He should focus on Lotus and stop talking about Ferrari this .. ferrari that…
get all those 5 models into production and after that he can continue with his delusion about ferrari
this is a beauty!!.. i see some real competition..
Glad to hear that…P1 must ensure that they will benefit from this development of a new engine…P1 need a new engine & also few variants…not just only 1.3 & 1.6. Good luck
Salam….
the car is so beautiful. i like the clean design of the car. whoa!
Aiya…like dat how to afford???!!
kinda worrying about this change in strategy in a middle of a major product development effort…
shouldn’t all this been thought out and analysed thoroughly ?
if i am on the board of group lotus, i’ll be extremely worried.
proton.. you listening?
Loser and Potong
“Dany Bahar said that the Elan has been delayed from its five-year plan due to its too close positioning with the flagship Esprit, and the funds from this will be used to develop the modular engine family.”
all i can say is wow. i think in business, it is never a good idea to change your plan once it is all set up. and it involves BIG money too. shouldn’t they have thought about the plan thoroughly? why change your plan when it has already underway? proton really need to take a closer look at their child.
Proton can’t even look after themselves.
To all bashers: There’s a good reason you’re not running Group Lotus :)
ha ha, thats why it is loss-making…still
internet survey…. all this should have been done BEFORE committing precious resources.
its proton that is footing the bill, and by extension, you and me (if u pay malaysian taxes) eventually.
we should be concerned
Wow, I say Dany Bahar is a practical person. Market does change and one has to change the plans to suit the market.
I think what Lotus & Proton needs now is new engine development to meet emission standards and develop engines for other car makers.
Also Proton need to build more range of cars such as mini-MPV, SUV, coupe, etc. that runs on diesel, hybrid, or electric. This is only possible if they can source cheap engines.
The 2.4l turbocharged V6 engine supply from lotus to Indycar in 2012 will certainly help Proton build new range of cars.
this Eterna somehow look like a futuristic car i notice in Jap mangga or anime back in the 90s.. but I love it!