After its M250 concept went down in flames, many thought Lotus wouldn't try to build a "real-world" sportscar again. Though the Europa brought a little more livability (and a lot more ugly) to the hardworking Elise platform, it hasn't done much for Colin Chapman's progeny. Car reports that Lotus is having another go, reviving the M250 concept back with a new set of clothes and a new 'tude. With a 276hp Toyota V6, the Eagle (not its real name) does zero to 60 in five seconds, hits 160mph and laps the Nurburgring considerably faster than its Elise stablemate. Unlike the spartan Elise, the new 2+2 offers traction control, cup holders, AC, Alpine ICE and antilock brakes. At about $90k, the 2009 Eagle is a little short of the "911 for Cayman money" goal. Speaking of which, the new, 2010 Porsche Cayman jumps from 245hp to 265hp. The Cayman S will offer 320 directly-injected horses. And here's news: the S gets an optional PDK dual-clutch gearbox (all versions will be more fuel-efficient). So it's Lotus prestige and limited production versus Porsche performance and cost advantages. I call dibs on the comparo.
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As long as mainstream doesn’t work out like it did in the 90’s: bloated FWD cars that looked like a Lotus.
Is Proton still providing all of the R&D funding or is Lotus able to stand on it’s own two feet? Because if so, Proton isn’t doing so well lately… They’ve got the same disease as the Detroit 3 – nasty competition from Japan that is beating them senseless despite high import tariff’s.
It’s been a long time since Lotus had competent ownership, and yet they continue to stay true to their brand. Nice to see.
It’s coming in 2010? Finally. I didn’t think we’d see anything new in 2010. I was really getting worried that no car company had planned anything for 2010.
Though the Elise is a brilliant car – plumping a Toyota engine in it just doesn’t make sense – even to today. Though the old Elise had a Rover 4 cylinder which was pretty weak, the Yamaha designed yet Toyota built 1.8 made the Elise a better car. yet something in me that understands that Lotus is a sports car company and was formed in roots of racing – Toyota was not – they are a consumer car company that does do some racing but only for advertising purposes and not b/c it’s in the companies genes. There’s the Mini / BMW engine for the Elise and you can always look into a Benz v6 or BMW inline for the 2+2. Because we all know that 276hp v6 is from the Camry and made for a midsize family vehicle and not a performance car.
Just like Brammo fitting an ecotractor engine in the stateside Ariel Atom b/c Jay Leno wanted a GM engine in it (GM’s small engines are built mainly for cars that enter rental fleets).
2010 is the most important year in the history of the world. They should call this car Excel…but something tells me they won’t.
IIRC, the states-side production company of the Atom wanted the GM engine, and Leno helped them get it, not the other way around.
I don’t know – Toyota has its hands in nearly all forms of motor sport or has dabbled in the ones it is no longer in. They spend a fortune on F1 alone (estimated around 250 to 300 million a year), not to mention what they have been pumping into NASCAR lately.
I love the concept up there. I also can’t wait to see the new Cayman.
Why a 2+2?? And who would actually ride back there? Mini-me?
Ummm, like or hate Toyota no one complains about the performance, smoothness, or quality of their engines!
In all honesty I seriously doubt that any other automakers has more experience with DOHC 4v engines than Toyota!
IMO the elise would have been perfect if Lotus had sourced the s2000 engine from Honda, simply because it is still NA yet far more poweerful.
Mmmmm…. I want one….
The real news here is that the Cayman and Boxster will finally get an LSD, which means that Porsche is finally accepting the evolution of the Cayman into their ultimate hard-top sports machine. Let the 911 become a grand tourer; the new Cayman is here to rule the roost.
I <3 Porsche’s Cayman S.
I have to read back past articles as it’s been a while as to what happened – IIRC think Ariel wanted a base Ecotec engine for its low end budget based models yet wanted to keep the CTR 2.0 supercharged for the high end models. Jay instead insisted that the Ecotec and it’s SS version be used for the entire line up and used his connections at GM to get it done. GM wasn’t interested with Brammo’s original idea but changed their mind when Jay brokered his idea.
It’s been a long time since Lotus had competent ownership, and yet they continue to stay true to their brand. Nice to see.
Lotus has changed hands a number of times since Colin Chapman died. One constant, though, has been Mike Kimberly, who has managed Lotus since the Chapman days. Kimberly has been pretty much true to the brand, though the M-100 Elan w/ FWD and an Isuzu engine was an exception.
yesterday I checked out lotus Elise, and was surprized of its size. it is supersmall, it is dwarf car.. would like to see Dolph Lundgren driving it! Beside it is a cheap shot. Apart from lightweightedness and fun driving, it is a poorly assmebled, plastics look subpar, trunk lid has huge gaps and doesn`t com even to the same level as fenders surrounding it. a lot of screwheads bulging, looks as if assembled in a garage. The only good thing about it is probably Toyota engine. Can you imagine a supercar british legend adopting an engine from a japanese econobox mass marketer? Actuallt Lotuses seem to be built the same way as all british cars,- range rovers ,land rovers,and many jags. the pieces that are not held together by finish are held together by british self arrogancy and domestic car bragging. Common as if we care what do those brits say on Discovery with their gay accents about their last morsels of car industry ):
Why do you assume the Cayman S would outperform the Eagle? If you’re basing that on horsepower, you’ve entirely missed the point. The Elise weighs 1980lbs porked out with leather and a/c. Eagle uses a version of the same aluminum chassis (which is light enough one guy can pick it up), so even if you stretch it and toss in all the luxo-crap Eagle can’t be more than 2500lbs. I suppose Lotus are saving the weight figure as a surprise.
In a straight line, perhaps the overweight 2900lb Cayman S would have a chance. On a track, it would be out-braked and out-cornered every time.
So Lotus gets the 3.5L Camry engine, works its engine tuning magic, and extracts a whopping 8 extra horsepower! On premium gas to boot. Toyota already has a 3.5L that does 300+ hp in the IS350. For $90k Lotus should have at least gotten Toyota’s high-line 3.5L engine, or tweaked the Camry engine to match it. So where is the Lotus prestige in a kit car that just happens to be pre-assembled for you, and poorly at that? I’d take a Cayman S, along with its fit-and-finish, warranty, reliability, dealer network, refinement, and comfort over this thing any time. Hell, for $90k just give me a 911 Carrara S or a GT-R and call it a day.
Brian E: Let the 911 become a grand tourer; the new Cayman is here to rule the roost.
Amen to that.
“Though the Elise is a brilliant car – plumping a Toyota engine in it just doesn’t make sense – even to today. Though the old Elise had a Rover 4 cylinder which was pretty weak, the Yamaha designed yet Toyota built 1.8 made the Elise a better car. yet something in me that understands that Lotus is a sports car company and was formed in roots of racing – Toyota was not – they are a consumer car company that does do some racing but only for advertising purposes and not b/c it’s in the companies genes. There’s the Mini / BMW engine for the Elise and you can always look into a Benz v6 or BMW inline for the 2+2. Because we all know that 276hp v6 is from the Camry and made for a midsize family vehicle and not a performance car.
Just like Brammo fitting an ecotractor engine in the stateside Ariel Atom b/c Jay Leno wanted a GM engine in it (GM’s small engines are built mainly for cars that enter rental fleets).”
I Take it you’ve never heard of the 4A-G Line?
Cute pre-assembled kit car for $90K vs. a Porsche…. let me think…
$90 grand? Why buy this?
i saw an elise the other day, wow what a beautiful car. I wish it were 50% larger, so i would not have to be lifted into and out of it.
I like Lotus, i like the cars, i would love to own one. A little bigger tho. THis one might be just the ticket.
jerseydevil: After renting an Elise in Australia a few years ago, I realized that you do not sit in the Elise, but wear it. Although it is a sweet ride, the connected-ness did not feel far superior to a Miata.
If only they’d put the MazdaSpeed 3 motor in the Miata…