Which Engine for the US Elise?

[adeewuff]

Since the US Elise will probably have a high revving 1.8i which engine do you think would be more appropriate?

Ignoring all the packaging difficulties I'd love to try an Elise with the Boxer engine from the Impreza in it. Be nice to burble along in...

[RacerX]

The US Elise will probably get a modified Ford Focus engine. With the right set-up, it would be perfect, plus the aftermarket is already quite impressive.
It would be the ideal engine.

>> Edited by RacerX on Thursday 21st February 14:42

[Umar B]

i though they were going to use one of the honda Vetec engines? obviously not!

[Umar B]

i though they were going to use one of the honda Vetec engines? obviously not!

[RacerX]

Sun Automotive in California have installed the Acura/Honda engine very successfully. I've driven both the Motorsports and the Sun-Elise. The Acura engine is wonderful- but - highly unlikely.
I am making a best-guess with the Foucus engine and if it were up to me, that's the one I would use...preferably a Cosworth version. Makes 'historic and pedigree' sense too.

[adeewuff]

I'm not sure Lotus would go down the Turbo charging route for the Elise, it has always been about high revving, high power, normally aspirated engines. I would say a high revving Japanese NA would be more likely.

Saying that, a Cosworth Turbo charged beast would be fabulous...

[nikismart]

Out in the US and especially california the chevy small block of the day is easily the Honda VTEC, with loads of tuning shops with various bits and pieces. 6-speed. lsd as standard in one of them....
and as someone mentioned they are already in the elise (through sun international) with over 200bhp.
compare that to a K-series at that output. who would you put your money behind as you approach 10 000rpm? Honda, Rover, Honda, errrrr

[Hart]

Ford/Mazda/Wankel /Renesis/250BHP/approx.120kg incl. gearbox/

would be a very nice alternative ??

[adeewuff]

As I've said in the US Elise thread I reckon on the 1.8VVTL-i engine (189bhp) as found in the new Toyota Corolla. It has the same characteristics as those of the tuned Rover engine but is much more user friendly i.e. less peaky torque curve.

The engine in the new Honda Civic type-R would be perfect (197bhp from 2 litres) and would scare one or two supercars as well. Saying that, I was chasing a Civic Type-R round Goodwood Motor Racing circuit and apart from the power advantage on the straights, I was nailing him in the corners, even with only 118bhp!

I reckon whatever engine Lotus eventually choose you guys are going to love it.

[lucifero]

I'm waiting for 1 year to buy a better equipped elise and like me many peolpes.
The time is come.
Lotus is installing the same engine from the 1996!
Wath time they need to understand that we want more horsepower?