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Like the current Elise and Exige line-up which feature the 1.8L VVTL-i engine, Lotus has also looked to its Japanese companion to power the Eagle which is set to boast a Toyota-sourced powerplant.

Specifically, a modified version of the 200kW 3.5-litre V6 engine from the Toyota Aurion will be used to power the new Eagle in both naturally-aspirated and supercharged variants.

The Eagle is set to replace the Espirit as the flagship of the Lotus range which ended production in 2004.

The new mid-engined 2+2 coupe will utilise Lotus’ trademark lightweight aluminium space frame technology, no doubt keeping the overall weight hovering about the 1,000kg mark.

Source: CarScoop

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The Lotus Elise S is powered by a 1.8-litre Toyota engine and puts out 100 kW and 172 Nm and goes from 0-100km/h in 6.1 seconds , meanwhile the car which became the centre of a heated argument, the Lotus Exige S, comes with a supercharger for good measure, which brings the specs up to 179.5 kW and 230 Nm. The dash to 100km/h is also reduced to just 4.1 seconds.

Expect a full written review of both cars soon plus a video review of our favourite, the Lotus Exige S, or as we like to call it, the little green monster.

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Recent rules changes to the GT Championship have created a new three-tier structure allowing new and existing Lotus sports cars to become eligible for competition, previously restricted to GT3 Class vehicles only.

“We are delighted that both CAMS and the Australian GT Championship have confirmed the changes which will introduce the brand back into mainstream Australian Motorsport.” Jonathan Stretton, Lotus Sales & Marketing Manager.

Together with the Exige GT4, Lotus has also confirmed the introduction of the Sport Exige Cup 260 - a race-prepped version of the flagship Exige S.

Full details of the Australian spec Exige Cup 260 cars and the Lotus Sport Exige GT4 will be announced shortly.

“These new cars themselves will also provide a number of options for Australian motorsport enthusiasts who want to race a Lotus at the front, from circuit racing to tarmac rallies.”

The GT series restructuring has also made ex-Lotus Trophy Series Exiges and Elises available for purchase for motorsport use following a thorough rebuild.

The Elise race cars run an 89kW 1.8-litre Rover-engine with a CAMS-approved roll cage, fire extinguisher, dual battery isolator, racing harness, race suspension and brakes.

The Exige race cars are similarly race prepared, with the added performance of the 141kW 1.8-litre VVTL-i engine and aerodynamic package.

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Although the sports car market is generally not too worried about fuel economy, with fuel prices climbing on a daily basis, buying a Lotus is starting to make more sense.

To begin with, the chassis of a typical Lotus, say Elise or Exige, is made using extruded and bonded aluminium which comes to a total weight of only 68kg. This is then followed throughout the body with lightweight components and body panels.

The company says you don’t need to lose sleep over your performance car’s environmental impact if you chose a Lotus. In essence, you can have your (low-fat) cake and eat it.

The Lotus Elise uses a Toyota sourced 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine with only 100kW but it manages to compete (and generally beat) its similarly priced competitors. Did we mention it’s also better for the environment?

The Elise S boasts a friendly CO2 output figure of just 196g/km (must less than most normal cars, let alone performance cars), and goes from 0-100km/h in 6.1 seconds through its five-speed gearbox.

From the table above you can see just about the only other car that competes with those figures is the Nissan 350Z, but it’s slower, puts out more pollution and costs more too.

Admittedly you can fit your shopping into the Z. Nonetheless Lotus is quick to point out their cars also have some luxuries such as remote locking, power windows, air-conditioning, dual airbags, ABS and more.

If you want a little more performance, you can go for the new 2008 Lotus Elise SC, which gives that little 1.8-litre engine a supercharger. Power increases by a remarkable 63 per cent, yet fuel economy only goes up by 0.2l/100km! Oh did we say it can go from 0-100km/h in just 4.6 seconds?

Going even further, there is always the Lotus Exige S PP, the fastest car in the Lotus Cars Australia range. The Exige has 179kW of power, which might not seem like a lot, but remember, it weighs all of 935kg, puts out only 216g/km and competes successfully in the supercar class thanks to its power/weight ratio.

The CarAdvice garage will soon be blessed with a Lotus Elise and Exige so expect a full video and review of our experience.

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It will be powered by a mid-mounted 3.5-litre petrol engine borrowed from Toyota, and the V6 unit will drive the rear wheels alone.

Forced induction is expected but not confirmed. Lotus plans to market at least five versions ranging from a convertible to variants utilising paddle shifters (a first for Lotus).

Entering production at the beginning of 2009, Project Eagle will enter the market as Lotus’ flagship performance car above the Elise, Exige and Europa.

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Using a smaller Eaton rotor pack than that of the Exige S combined with the absence of an intercooler and associated pipework, the supercharged powerplant in the Elise SC is 8kg lighter than in the Exige S.

Weighing in at 870kg, the Elise SC is just 10kg or one percent heavier than the Elise S, but is 62 percent more powerful with 162kW and 212Nm at 5000rpm.

Performance of the Elise SC is stunning: 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds, 0-160km/h in 10.7 seconds and a top speed of 241km/h.

It also stops as well as it goes, with a unique combination of AP Racing calipers up front and Brembo calipers down back linked to 282mm vented and cross-drilled discs.

Despite its track-day heritage, it also features an advanced ABS system which is so unobtrusive, most drivers will not realise it’s working – unless it’s needed, and even then the system keeps a subtly low profile.

A new bespoke alloy wheel design also increases the width half an inch to 8-inches, offering superior grip from its Lotus specific Yokohama AD07 LTS 225/45 R17 tyres.

With such a small and efficient engine, despite its super car performance the Elise SC returns estimated combined fuel economy of just 8.5litres/100km.

Due to increased customer demand, two new packages are now available across the Elise range to transform the car either into a comfortable cruiser or dedicated track-day weapon.

The revised Elise Touring pack now includes:
Full leather or Microfibre suede-effect interior
ProBax Seats
Leather trimmed centre console and handbrake gaiter
Sound system iPod connection
Full carpets (Black), with embroidered ‘Elise’ logo
Auxiliary driving lights
Sound insulation paneling
Retractable aluminium cup holder

The Elise Sport pack includes:
Bilstein sports dampers
Lotus switchable traction control
Twin oil coolers
ProBax Sport seats with harness eyelets
7 twin spoke ultra lightweight forged wheels (Hi-power Silver) with standard AD07 tyres

Touring and Sport packs can also be combined.

Prices:
Elise Touring Pack RRP: $8000
Elise Sport Pack RRP: $7000

The Lotus Elise SC is priced at $104,990, excluding dealer delivery and government charges.

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Larger and more powerful than the Elise, the ‘Eagle’ will be powered by a mid-mounted 3.5-litre petrol engine borrowed from Toyota and driven via the rear wheels.

Little else is currently known about the engine, but we are keen to find out if it’s the same 200kW unit found in Toyota’s Aurion, RAV4 V6, Kluger, Tarago etc…

The mass-produced engine will ensure that the ‘Eagle’ will pass strict EU and US emission regulations.

The Lotus Eagle is rumoured to be heading for the British motor show in July this year.

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The engine is the same as the one found in the Exige S road car. The difference is more tune and extreme aerodynamic aids to keep the car steady at high speed.

“We wanted to give it a freshen-up over the off season, so we used the opportunity to update to the 2007 spec and the performance improvements it offers. We’ve been doing some 20 hour days and the guys have put in a lot of effort just to get it to the F1 support race this weekend.” said Angelo Lazaris, the car’s owner

Owning the world’s fastest Lotus does tend to attract the attention of Lotus itself, and they have sent along Russel Gibbons from Lotus Sport UK. Gibbons was a key member of the Lotus Exige GT3’s success in the 2006 British GT championship.

The Exige GT3 weighs less than a ton and puts out 261kW (at 7000rpm) and 305Nm (at 6000rpm). An absolutely remarkable feat from the 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine. So remarkable, in fact, that it’s worth talking about.

The power figure shows a massive 89 percent increase over base specification, which results in 148kW per-litre! To put that into perspective, a Holden Commodore SS road car comes in at just 45kW/litre while the Bugatti Veyron manages 92kW per-litre!

What ever you have planned this weekend, cancel it, because you don’t want to miss the 2008 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix (on ten).

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The aluminium front module on its own measures 938mm long, 864mm wide and 387mm tall and weighs in at a featherlight 25kg - establishing Lotus’ trademark design principles.

Project Eagle will be using Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs with unique dual path top mounts for optimised vehicle refinement.

The high performance bespoke Lotus AP Racing four-piston callipers work in tandem with ventilated cross drilled 350mm diameter brake discs to ensure phenomenal stopping power.

Entering production at the beginning of 2009, Project Eagle will enter the market as Lotus’ flagship performance car above the Elise, Exige and Europa.

In addition to Project Eagle, Lotus has also unveiled its first ever Exige to pass the 200kW mark.

Developing 201kW at 8,000rpm and 260Nm at 5500rpm, the Lotus Exige 270E Tri-fuel is the most powerful road-going Exige ever.

It will cover zero to 100km/h in just 3.88 seconds on a mixture of gasoline, bio-ethanol and methanol.

The Lotus Exige 270E Tri-fuel runs the same 1.8-litre 2ZZ-GT VVTL-I engine as in the regular Exige S.

Only small changes to engines are required such as sensors to detect alcohol content, modified ECU software, and a fuel system compatible with alcohol fuels, along with the higher flow rate fuel pump and injectors required to produce the 200kW.

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Tipping the scales at just 720kg, it can still hit 100km/h in just 4.3 seconds from a standing start, and reach a top speed of 225km/h.

The range of options are aimed at getting the 2-Eleven around the track faster on a budget. These include two different limited slip differentials, an FIA approved 70L bag fuel tank and a removable competition steering wheel.

A carbon fiber tonneau cover, four piston front brakes and ‘Aero’ or ‘Sport’ accessories packs are also available.

The Aero pack consists of an adjustable carbon fiber rear wing and a lengthened composite front splitter while the Sport pack includes Ohlins two-way adjustable dampers.

The current Lotus 2-Eleven demands a price tag upward of AUD$81,800 in the UK which translates to $122,500 on Australian soil. The entry-level model will arrive in Europe starting from AUD$57,200 however this figure excludes taxes.

Source: TopSpeed

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