Engine choice??

[seetim]

Having read a few posts on this forum I get the impression that the Honda conversion is great, and that the engine is better than the Toyota as found in the 111R. Power delivery is better, the engine weight isn't a problem, it is reliable etc. etc.

So that leaves me a little confused as to why did Lotus pick Toyota as an engine supplier?

Was it something to do with US emission tests, Honda not willing to supply Lotus, too expensive, or??????

Andrew.

[bogie]

been done to death many times before Honda will simply not supply Lotus with the engine - probably due to that they have (what they consider) a competitive product in the S2000. Still - I think they had to bend Toyotas arm too even to get the engine they did......

[seetim]

Thanks Mark, thought it might be something along those lines. Sister in law has just bought an 2000. Nice enough car, but not an Elise in any way - more like an upgrade to an MR2. IMHO

[bogie]

I agree - shame that lotus are trying to pinch potential Boxster/Z4/S2K purchasers with all the luxury bits for the 111R now ...guess the Honda marketing people are a bit cagey.

Did hear that even Lotus' own engineers said the the K20A 2.0L Honda lump was 'the ideal engine for the job' ...but they had to settle for the 1.8 Toyota. The Toyota is still a great improvement over a 120bhp K series though........