The next Evora?

[Mario]

5-6 new models at Paris apparantly.

Wonderful news can't wait for Paris. Especially for a stunning new Esprit

[Al]

I can't remember where I heard or read it, but it is one of those 'facts' that I am sure came from a good source like maybe on the Factory tour before the launch, but I have a 330 - 340 BHP figure in my head for some reason. Also a 5-7 K uplift in an already overinflated price.

I also think the Supercharger will be before the convertible and again I think that one was from the design team on a factory tour lunch even although the convertible was already being designed supposedly. That was Jan 09 and all those of us with deposits down we were asking questions then.

[NedaSay]

Here's the one reason why I think Evora SC will have a little over 400 bhp! It's a very simple and sensible reason: Cosworth!!!

This engine can easily push 300 bhp by just modifying the exhaust. PB Racing, Lotus main dealer in Italy, just did so and easily found 308 bhp! sure you lose the low emission but the power is there.

The gearbox will probably need a little work to cope with 400bhp but it's a gearbox it can be modified and stiffened or more simply replaced by another gearbox.Everybody else does it!

Edited June 4, 2010 by NedaSay

[Myfavedave]

Here's the one reason why I think Evora SC will have a little over 400 bhp! It's a very simple and sensible reason: Cosworth!!!

This engine can easily push 300 bhp by just modifying the exhaust. PB Racing, Lotus main dealer in Italy, just did so and easily found 308 bhp! sure you lose the low emission but the power is there.

The gearbox will probably need a little work to cope with 400bhp but it's a gearbox it can be modified and stiffened or more simply replaced by another gearbox.Everybody else does it!

Just because it's possible doesn't mean it will make sense commercially. That will all push the cost up considerably and will put it in the same market as the Esprit (both financially and erm...performancely)

[ads_green]

It wont be 400bhp.

It wont be 350bhp.

I fully expect between 320-340 bhp.

Why? Basic business reality,

Toyota already have a proven supercharger install from the factory approved TRD. This install will be warranty friendly to Toyota and even if Toyota dont warranty the engines it will mean the risk to Lotus coughing up for failed engines will be based on a known setup. They would be able to estimate pretty accurately how many (if at all) will fail due to the increase in performance.

Just look at the Exige/Elise. Initially a 190 bhp but with the supercharger 220bhp - an increase of 30bhp or about 16% and the same on other toyota installs.

280bhp + 16% = 324 bhp - almost identical to what the engine runs on the TRD car.

Given Lotus tuning being slighly better than OEM and likely to feature chargecooling so 330-340 bhp is a good target.

All the high power Exige/211 installs with 260 bhp have considerably reduced warranty cover that would be difficult to accept on a 60k car.

Based on the details I've got the engine is very strong and can make some good reliable numbers - 400bhp is easy with FI.

Gearbox details are sketchy as I think its new but no reason it shouldn't be good for more.

But is this such a bad thing? I dont think so, A SC will add a large chunk of low down torque which the long gearbox certainly would relish making an exceptional GT car.

[NedaSay]

I'm sorry to contradict but the 2zz in the Elise was/is initially 134bhp. After a tune up it produced 190bhp or about 100bhp per liter and it still comes with Toyota warranty at 190 bhp!

Therefore i'm tempted to think that the Evora with 276bhp is currently just in it's basic version that the S will be around 310/320 bhp (pretty close to 100bhp per liter) in a normally aspirated mode! Still it comes to us with the same type of warranty. Why? Because Toyota is known for detuning is engine considerably even with blowers? Now lets add the blower in Lotus/Cosworth configuration, you could get a lot more than 350 I'd say pretty close to 400 bhp if not a little more! Of course it won't be 60k probably around 70k. If Lotus is willing to go upmarket then this is the way to go! And yes, the warranty would not be as exhaustive but the warranty on these GTs are never quite comprehensive anyway!

Indeed, it would get the Evora pretty close to the new esprit territory except that it will probably be the bottom spec Esprit using the same spec of blown V6! However it is widely rumored (maybe wildly rumored) that the Esprit could get the LFA V10 as top spec that would put the Esprit on a different planet in terms of power and price. Even if the engine turns out to be the ISF 5.0L V8 with currently 417 bhp, it will receive a Cosworth treatment! The Esprit will probably sell for no less than Audi R8, Ferrari 458, Lambo LP560... anyway so no less than 100K

Of course these are just pure conjecture on my side I will gladly eat those words when we finally see either the S and/or the SC! Just so you know I don't think we'll see the SC before 2012/13!

Edited June 4, 2010 by Bibs

[Hegg]

I'm sorry to contradict but the 2zz in the Elise was/is initially 134bhp. After a tune up it produced 190bhp or about 100bhp per liter and it still comes with Toyota warranty at 190 bhp!

I thought the original Elise engine (after the Rover engine) was the 1ZZ, just like the regular Celica. Then it was updated to the standard Celica GTS engine (2ZZ) at 190. Did Toyota ever make the 2ZZ in less than 190 hp? Maybe I'm just all confused.

[NedaSay]

The 2ZZ has seen his fair share of tunes anywhere from 135bhp on the basic Pontiac vibe to 189bhp on the Celica passing by 164 and 173bhp on other cars depending what the car was about!

Edited June 4, 2010 by NedaSay

[DarrylV8]

The 2011 Elise S or the basic Elise is now a 1.6ltr engine with about the same performance as the out-going 1.8ltr S version, due to much lower emmissions demands from the EU, with the European Elise/Exige cars having to have new engine by the end of the year (2010); maybe the Elise range keeping 1.6ltr with tuning and SC it will be the Exige that will determine the engine way forward small V6??

The Evora 3.5ltr has a very low C0 reading as standard; 209 which is not that bad compared to the out-going 1.8ltr Exige 260 engine at 199

We are both looking forward to the Paris show for details on the Evora upgrades with interest!