Exige S2
New car to break cover at 2004 Geneva Show!
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As with all new Lotuses there have been rumours flying about for a very long time now about the development of an Exige S2. Sneak pictures of an Exige with S2 type styling were even flying round the net over six months ago after a car was spotted in the motorsport development area during an open day, but at that time it wasn't know if the car pictured was a one off or the basis of a new model.
What is known now is that an S2 based Exige will be unveiled at next years Geneva Motor Show in March 2004.
We don't expect any major surprises on the styling front, with the sketches revealing a look very similar to the S1 Exige but updated with the Elise S2 styling cues.
Where things have changed is in the engine department. As has been rumoured for many, many months now, Lotus have done a deal with Toyota. The Exige S2 will be powered by a 1.8 litre, four cylinder, 16 valve, VVTL-i engine mated to a six speed 'box. Lotus once again insist that the K Series will remain the engine of choice in the Elise for the forseeable future.
The Toyota motor develops 190bhp, taking the Elise to 60mph in less than five seconds and on to over 140mph.
The launch in 2004 will be for UK, Europe and Asian markets. No mention is made of the USA at this stage.
I guess also politics and economy also comes in to it...
There was an interesting article by Dave Walker in C&CC (RIP) about the vtec switch on the honda. Apparently you can move the switch point considerably lower 2.5-3k revs as opposed to 5ish, and to no detremental effect as the alternate cam works fine there.
Their thoughts were that it was done at 5k as people like the push in the back sensation.
Maybe the switch over point can be radically lowered on the VVTi as well.
They did say you could run the second cam full time, but that it would cause a lot of engine wear at low revs.
Interesting thought anyway...
Last time I gave them a deposit, they sat on it for a couple of years, and then didn't even bother to contact me when the project was canned. I had to argue with them for my money back, and, of cuorse, they gave me no interest on it...
Same old story - the K series!!! why!!!
It would be, should be, so simple to slot in, not the S2000 engine but the new Civic Type R motor. For 2004 I beleive it has been increased by another 20bhp - and my good friends @ Honda tell me it is lighter as well.
Proof of the success of this unit is in the "nuts" Atom - didn't take them long to be convinced.
Still a joy though.
SVG
aftermarket Because Honda won't sell the engines directly from the factory, you would have to buy them from somewhere like total-loss vehicles and drop them in like www.prototyperacing.com does.
But i guess you can tune up the Toyota engine and, and if not yet, there will become a market for it and then you can tune it up to.
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