New Exige variant with NA 220bhp Toyota?
New Exige variant with NA 220bhp Toyota?
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[k]ar|

Original Poster:

963 posts

277 months

Thursday 12th January 2006
quotequote all
I was at my dealership today to have my front wheels rebalanced as I've just had my steering rack replaced under warranty.

Whilst this was being done, I was chatting to one of the sales chaps about possibly replacing my 54-plate 111r later this year, and he mentioned a new Exige variant that is coming along - powered by a 220bhp normally-aspirated version of the 2zz-ge engine. I haven't heard or read anything about such a model being announced or rumoured. Sounds interesting though, and apparently has performance figures not entirely dissimilar to the limited edition blown versions that came out recently.

Does anyone know any more about this apparent new model?

[k]

twinpipe

1,396 posts

260 months

Thursday 12th January 2006
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I've heard similar rumours from 2 different dealerships!

speedyellow

2,533 posts

258 months

Thursday 12th January 2006
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What I heard talking to Lotus Sport whilst trying to get a supercharger kit out of them for my S2, was that it was going to be a lower spec 220hp supercharger kit with smaller side mounted intercooler for both exige and sport elise hence they wouldn't sell the kits now. The bad news was that it sounded like this power was needed to counter the rise in weight as the federal mods to the bumpers etc were made to ALL market cars... also he said there was going to be a 140hp elise based on the cheaper Toyota engine to create an entry model as well.

But knowing Lotus who knows....

gooby

9,269 posts

265 months

Friday 13th January 2006
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is it the corolla SC?

rixge

292 posts

256 months

Friday 13th January 2006
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It would make sense if it was.

beachbum

2,610 posts

262 months

Friday 13th January 2006
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More power....yippppeee
More Weight...Damn

Be interesting to know what the final pwr/kg ratio will be compared to the current Toyota models.

gooby

9,269 posts

265 months

Friday 13th January 2006
quotequote all
beachbum said:
More power....yippppeee
More Weight...Damn

Be interesting to know what the final pwr/kg ratio will be compared to the current Toyota models.


I am not adding bumpers to my car so, it is just the weight of the mods. If it is the corolla SC then it is a direct replacement of some of the inlet manifold so negligable weight.

It is so easy to get more power from a SC, like a turbo, I think you will be able to get 250 - 260 bhp without sweating. 300bhp / tonne. Good start, not quite a bogie but shows promise.

Lawrence5

1,254 posts

266 months

Friday 13th January 2006
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Is true - I mentioned bits on a thread the other day. 220bhp Exige is supercharged and likely to cost £35k..... new entry model is £23,995 been rumours of 140bhp but also 160bhp. At that price I'd say more likely 140bhp as the 111S with 160bhp was £25,995.

Hence why all dealers have been reducing prices to clear stocks. Lotus were looking to nudge up the price of 111R and Exige but will add goodies to compensate. Not heard any more on this though....

shot2bits

1,273 posts

259 months

Friday 13th January 2006
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Will the SC be an available upgrade to existing owners of the R and S2 Exige - would have thought it would be done in the same fashion as the Sport 135 upgrade was on the original 118bhp S2 Elises...?

RobM77

35,349 posts

265 months

Friday 13th January 2006
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£23,995 for a brand new 140bhp Elise? Mmmm.. I'm about to buy a 1 or 2 year old 111S from a Lotus dealer... that's got me thinking!

GTRene

22,730 posts

255 months

Friday 13th January 2006
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RobM77 said:
£23,995 for a brand new 140bhp Elise? Mmmm.. I'm about to buy a 1 or 2 year old 111S from a Lotus dealer... that's got me thinking!

I guess you better wait then, and do some research...?

RobM77

35,349 posts

265 months

Friday 13th January 2006
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Indeed, yes!

Boggy

4,603 posts

266 months

Friday 13th January 2006
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Lawrence5 said:
Is true - I mentioned bits on a thread the other day. 220bhp Exige is supercharged and likely to cost £35k..... new entry model is £23,995 been rumours of 140bhp but also 160bhp. At that price I'd say more likely 140bhp as the 111S with 160bhp was £25,995.

Hence why all dealers have been reducing prices to clear stocks. Lotus were looking to nudge up the price of 111R and Exige but will add goodies to compensate. Not heard any more on this though....


Well I'm going to wait until this comes out and may be upgrade to and Exige after all, Mrs Boggy should soon have her run around

Boggy

speedyellow

2,533 posts

258 months

Saturday 14th January 2006
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Nothing is going to be released till September from what I've heard, when the US exemption runs out, they were also quite firm that I wouldn't be able to buy any factory sc upgrade for my Exige for the forseeable future.

shot2bits

1,273 posts

259 months

Saturday 14th January 2006
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Boggy said:
Well I'm going to wait until this comes out and may be upgrade to and Exige after all, Mrs Boggy should soon have her run around
Boggy


I might do the same at some point - would really like to lower the cam switchover... Not complaining though, went for a blast today and had a great time - didn't even use 2nd cam that much!

shangani

3,069 posts

268 months

Saturday 14th January 2006
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Lowering the cam switchover on the toyota engine without mods or forced induction will actually lower the performance - there would be a massive falloff in torque and power after switchover.

bher

786 posts

301 months

Saturday 14th January 2006
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Slight off topic
Does someone know if in the Lotus history they ever propose real upgrade/conversion to their car?
In other word is there a chance to get an official upgrade of the R from the factory itself?

I think not
Ben

GTRene

22,730 posts

255 months

Saturday 14th January 2006
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shangani said:
Lowering the cam switchover on the toyota engine without mods or forced induction will actually lower the performance - there would be a massive falloff in torque and power after switchover.

I've heard some where a while ago of some chiptuning for the 111R that also sets the cam swichover a lot earlier(in the 4/5.000rpm range?) so the torgue begins earlier and stil had more power ad the end...? but it could be that they where also using hotter cams...
GTRene

GTRene

22,730 posts

255 months

Saturday 14th January 2006
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here is a link from elise talk where they talk about 111R with some tuning parts, Stage 2, Reverie Induction Kit, Komo-Tec exh. manifold & Sport Cat, look at the dyno, a big torgue gain over the standard at beginning around 2.700rpm! and only extra 6bhp, but its the torgue what is importend as Shang says..?

www.elisetalk.com/forums/printthread.php?t=10552


>> Edited by GTRene on Saturday 14th January 18:58

shot2bits

1,273 posts

259 months

Saturday 14th January 2006
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From Strattons;

"There is rumour that there may be a fully type approved version of the Exige at 220BHP. I would think it may be announced at Geneva Motor Show in March, if anywhere. At present, the 240BHP conversion can only be undertaken on a registered, "used" car.

If the components and plumbing are the same on a 220BHP version, there is a likelihood that it will not fit under the engine cover of an Elise - the coupe shape of the Exige gives more space above the engine for the intercooler. My thoughts, therefore, are that there will not be an upgrade kit for 111R."

Pretty much what I already thought having read previous PH posts...