3 rotor motor for the Esprit ?

[tacoboy]

Because the Esprit's V8 will not pass US smog after
2003/4, maybe Lotus could use a 3 rotor motor
(375 hp ?), a motor based on the same engine as that going into the new Mazda RX-8 (which is two rotor).
I would think Lotus could have the engine custom built
for the same or lower cost then the current V8.
I'm also assuming that Lotus could get a 5 or 6 speed
transmission to work with the Rotory motor.
An added feature is the lower weight of the Rotory.

[GUY JOHNSON]

Their won't be any esprit after 2003/4!

Guy

[lotusguy]

Because the Esprit's V8 will not pass US smog after
2003/4, maybe Lotus could use a 3 rotor motor
(375 hp ?), a motor based on the same engine as that going into the new Mazda RX-8 (which is two rotor).
I would think Lotus could have the engine custom built
for the same or lower cost then the current V8.
I'm also assuming that Lotus could get a 5 or 6 speed
transmission to work with the Rotory motor.
An added feature is the lower weight of the Rotory.

Hi,
First thing, it is not that easy to develop and produce a new engine, let alone one using rotary technology which Lotus has liitle or no familiarity with.
Secondly, a variety of issues ranging from patent infringement or license agreements would need to be negotiated, and at a price which would allow Lotus to sucessfully and profitably market the resulting car.
Finally, the Esprit posesses a lot of non-compliant issues. So severe are some of these that a totally new design would not only be smarter and cheaper, but necessary to move the company into the future.
The Esprit has had a good run (25+years), and in possibly the most difficult market segment (exotics). But, as much as we love our cars, the design is very dated, and competition from even Sport Sedans is starting to catch up with it. The Esprit does not take advantage of the latest technologies in powerplant, drivetrain, suspension, brake and composite manufacturing. It is an evolution of what is really 1960's technology, considering the 907 engine has been around that long, and the original car design is derived from the one-off Masserati Boomerang Concept which was displayed at the 1969 Geneva Auto Show.
As I said, it has had a very good run, certainly the longest in the exotic car segment, but it's time to move on...Jim '85TE

[Captain Muppet]

For a new powertrain you'd be looking at re doing all the crash test work - lots of money. Then there is reengineering the car, ride and handling, homologation, PR (there are a lot of people out there who won't have a rotary for reliability/economy reasons) and the cost of buying in Mazda's flagship engine (not cheap). Then the cost to the dealers of tools and training.

Then you have to look at the other issues (pop up lights for a start...) that also stop the Esprit being federal compliant.

If you are going to have to re-body, re-engineer and re-homologate your car you may as well just design a new one. Lets hope that is what they are doing.

[Pelo]

sounds like an excellent idea but impractical for production. Although would make a VERY interesting one-off special ive seen a 400hp 20B powered clubman, awesomely fast indeed.
If there is a 20B version of the RENESIS, not sure what it would be put in, the RX-8 is in a way a replacment for the '80s Cosmo (13B-turbo) luxury sedans, a JC Cosmo replacment is hopefully on the cards at Mazda. Id imagine a 3 rotor RENESIS would produce about 320hp, at the power levels the 13B is at a single rotor version could power the next MX5 with about 170hp maybe?