Reports indicate that the highly-anticipated Lotus Eagle will be making its debut next month at the British Motor Show. The 2+2 sports car will be the first all-new Lotus in about 13 years, and will reportedly be powered by a Toyota-sourced 3.5-liter V6 lifted out of the Camry family sedan but highly modified for the task by Lotus' own engineering gurus. Output is pegged at 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque in naturally-aspirated guise, with a turbocharged version also reportedly in the works.
Along with the latest reports comes this teaser image reportedly released by Lotus ahead of the vehicle's debut, which joins the image of the front suspension module released way back in February and the spy shots that have been trickling in ever since. The teaser shows an unmistakably Lotus front end draped by a sheet which we hope to see lifted on July 22 from the show in London.
[Source: CarScoop]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 29th 2008 4:51PM
A Toyota V6? WTF?
I would have to think they could get a power plant with better power density from myriad sources.
gt-racer @ Jun 29th 2008 5:17PM
^exactly
George @ Jun 29th 2008 5:29PM
Excuse me but the Toyota 2GR engine is one of the most hi-tech engines out there. That rating of 268 hp is down 2 hp from the standard camry/avalon/rx350. Nice tuning Lotus and way to cheap out as the is350 version has DI and churns out a rock-steady 315 hp.
BTW, one of Ward's ten best for 2006, 2007, 2008....
Yar @ Jun 29th 2008 5:46PM
@ George.
Yea, since being high tech is what makes you go fast...
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 29th 2008 6:02PM
It's not about the tech.
They could get more HP from the same size plant (and probably same weight) from a smallblock V8. Or they could go the other way and go with various 3.0L-range motors available, or even some superb 2.0L turbos (although that would make it not possible to add a turbo later).
Next question, why put a turbo on when you could use a derivation of the TRD supercharger?
Hike15 @ Jun 29th 2008 6:28PM
WEll toyota supplies the powerplant in the elise
CarbonBlack @ Jun 29th 2008 6:43PM
This engine is going to give lotus a lot of tuning options! When they start working on a faster version, the engine will be easy to tune.
Harrison @ Jun 29th 2008 9:09PM
Oh right, Lotus with their god-knows-how-many engineers and experience know nothing about engines.
MetikalSVT @ Jun 29th 2008 5:22PM
This could be the best car ever. And maybe the best platform to build an electric sports car from. I cant wait to see what can be done with the Toyota 3.5 V-6.
mr @ Jun 29th 2008 5:32PM
Apparently nothing in this case. The 3.5l V6 in the Camry has 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque.
You guys know that the Elise and Exige run Toyota engines, right?
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 29th 2008 6:00PM
Last I checked, the Elise ran a 1.9L high-revving Toyota motor. That's a lot different from a 3.5L 268HP V6, even if it is from the same company.
Of course, these are the same knuckleheads who started out with a Rover I4 in the original Elise, they don't seem to be sufficiently picky about their their motors.
Michael @ Jun 29th 2008 5:41PM
I am sure the engine will be fine. I trust Lotus. I am more interested in hearing the final weight... and price. Especially price.
BoredJedi @ Jun 29th 2008 5:41PM
Using the Toyota mill is a Good Choice, Lotus and Toyota have had a longstanding symbioses through the decades as evidenced by the Elise's current powerplant. The suspected engine choice, the 2GR-FE, doing time in the Camry and its clones is often picked out as the one surprising revelation in the rather mundane package of utili-cars Toyota peddles to the public.
The original MR2 was developed in colaboration with Lotus ( some would say it was INDEED a re-hashed Lotus project ) and things turned out quiet well. Lotus handling coupled with Toyota reliability. British cars using alternative engine suppliers is not such a bad idea, Rolls-Royce had BMW as their supplier before the complete buyout years back. Noble's M12 and M15 employ Ford's Duratec V6, raspy little bugger at those outputs. Which is to say it will turn out well given the history of both companies working together, don't forget the time and development costs associated with developing a mill in-house ( as in the last Esprit V8 ) or collaborating with a new manufacturer who may not be as willing or open to developing their engine for a third party.
The downside, of course, is the less specific output per liter compared to other possible engine choices ( not to mention tractability, max redline, willingness to rev etc. ) and the somewhat limited amount of extra power that can be extracted or "tuned" out of the OEM lifted powerplant may be only stretch so far in the engine software re-mapping, airbox, exhaust, etc.
Atomo @ Jun 29th 2008 5:59PM
Well if the V-6 from the Camry fits won't a Toyota (almost typed Toybota, darn you Jezza) Hybrid drivetrain fit as well?? The first (factory?)Hybrid Lotus might be in the works here.
Rich @ Jun 29th 2008 6:10PM
Interesting, but unlikely. Hybrid systems' addition of heft seems to contradict Lotus's penchant for lightweight performers.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 29th 2008 6:37PM
3.6L DOHC V6.
That's a lot of heft right there. I don't think this is the normal Lotus-type car.
hashiryu @ Jun 29th 2008 10:07PM
@ ^^
It is an all aluminum block/head and is pretty light.
Torrent @ Jun 29th 2008 6:16PM
Wow that looks tall. I know lotus can do something nice to this engine.
dac @ Jun 29th 2008 7:35PM
Come on, people, do you really think lotus would offer a toyota engine with the exact same specs as it appears in the Camry, an econo sedan? 300hp would be a piece of cake and something like 320,330 is easily possible.
WhoYouKidding @ Jun 29th 2008 11:06PM
FYI. Don't believe everything you read, CarScoop did not get a scoop at all. This image is not a new teaser, it has been on the Lotus 60 Anniversary website for months: http://www.lotus60thanniversary.com/headliners.php
Try to find something new .....