The new "Esprit" could use a Lexus motor ?

[tacoboy]

Lexus (Toyota) makes a 4.3 liter motor, currently putting out
300 HP and 325 torque.
Lotus could do their magic on it and get 400-450 HP out of it.
And if the Esprit replacement comes in no heavier then 1150Kg
(2500 LBS).

They could have one serious fast car.

[tacoboy]

Or maybe they will stick with the current 3.5L V8,
but use Totyota fuel injectors and electronics ?

[Lawrence5]

Looking at the Beemer V8 too.....

[kylie]

Same motor with throttle bodies Makes a wonderful noise


Motor not finished yet. Its in our 32 Ford Roadster Hotrod.

[hedgerley]

This weeks Autocar confirms the new Esprit is currently doing night time testing around the Norfolk lanes. The source confirms it is the Toyota V8 in the back. Design is from the inside out, focussing on driver environment and accessability. No word on the overall styling, but I guess they wil be using old Esprit bodies whilst they test the new mechanicals. Aim is for Geneva 2006 unveiling.

[996gt3rs]

How do you all feel about them using a Toyota power source in the Esprit?

Personally if they are going to put in a new gear box they could get the current esprit v8 up to 450bhp anyway.

Thoughts?

[neuron]

The new Esprit will NOT be using a Toyota engine, i have spotted it testing around Norfolk and it is NOT a Toyota engine.

[tupolev]

neuron said:

The new Esprit will NOT be using a Toyota engine, i have spotted it testing around Norfolk and it is NOT a Toyota engine.

from seeing it drive.....

bull

[neuron]

I can assure you that it is not a Toyota engine in the backof the car!

[[k]ar|]

neuron said:

I can assure you that it is not a Toyota engine in the backof the car!

You can't just say that and expect us to believe you What do you say is in there and how do you reach that conclusion?

I also call BS unless you can give a valid reason. I'm more inclined to believe it's a Toy motor in there given the success Lotus have had with their engines in the 111r and S2 Exige. Why would they abandon their successful new partner?

[k]

[mustard]

neuron said:

The new Esprit will NOT be using a Toyota engine, i have spotted it testing around Norfolk and it is NOT a Toyota engine.

I can neither confirm or deny whatever engine it will be using, but dont understand your reasoning that makes you so sure its not a Toyota/Lexus unit unless you saw under the engine lid!

My personal gut instint is a modified version of the BMW 4.4/4.6 V8 as they have already let Morgan use it in the Morgan Aero 8, I just have this suspision(sp) that knowing the way Toyota/Lexus think it is unlikely that they would let someone else use what they believe to me the finest engine in the world.

[neuron]

Ask any self-respecting motor journo and they'll tell you that if you want to know what's going on at a car company, go in the local pubs to the car plant. Sit around and listen to the conversations of the people working on the projects. Like I said earlier,the new Esprit will NOT have a Toyota engine in it !!.

[mustard]

well, had a snippet of information that confirmed my thoughts above, look forward to its arrival!

[Esprit]

I concur with neuron ...... I've heard scuttlebutt that says it's NOT a Toyota engine ..... and from what I've heard.... sources say that it still SOUNDS like a flat-plane engine..... whether that means that they're still using their own engine or not remains to be seen.

[tupolev]

wasn't a bmw engine the expected weapon of choice being talked about 6 months ago?

but until the car is released it's speculation.

[rob.e]

the lotus dealer principle i was speaking to recently was pretty sure it would be a bmw v8..

[mustard]

[toyroom]

I concur with Rob E. It's going to have a BMW V8. I've had this from two good sources now and heard nothing about a Toyota engine.