RE: Vauxhall VX220: Spotted

[gofasterrosssco]

SykesAJ said:

gazzarose said:

Why didn't Lotus use the VX engine in any of the Elise'. They were obviously pretty friendly with VX to make the 220 and use VX switch gear but then used MG/Rover engines. I'm not up on my Lotus history so did they already have an engine deal with Rover? The Toyota engine then seems like an odd choice as well.

I seem to think the Europa S used the VX220 Turbo engine, but that the change to Toyota power in the Elise came after the VX. I think the Rover engine suits the character of the Elise in the S2, a much revvier and racier feel than the VX 2.2.

The Toyota powertrain was part of the process to 'federalise' the Elise to allow sale in North America. I presume they must have had some form of arrangement /deal with Toyota, as obviously the VX220 has GM engines that are ironically more plentiful in North America, so strange why they didn't use variants of the Ecotec engine..

[Zoobeef]

Also given that Lotus had a hand in designing the Z22SE in the VX220.

[freeform]

DanL said:

gazzarose said:

Why didn't Lotus use the VX engine in any of the Elise'. They were obviously pretty friendly with VX to make the 220 and use VX switch gear but then used MG/Rover engines. I'm not up on my Lotus history so did they already have an engine deal with Rover? The Toyota engine then seems like an odd choice as well.

No clue, but from memory they actually designed the engine that was in the VX220.

As a side note, I loved mine when I had it.

Toyota had a 22% (I think) share in Lotus, hence the colaboration on some Toyota models and use of some Toyota parts in the Eclat. GM bought - (most of?) - the rest in 1986 and Toyota solt out to GM shortly after.

[Sford]

Had mine for 7 or 8 years now and love it still. Started out as an NA, added parts and evolved into a supercharged car with charge cooler, light weight flywheel, nitron suspension, td wheels and all sorts of other little changes. Half the fun (think fun is the right word) is being able to work on it yourself.

[unsprung]

Sford said:

Had mine for 7 or 8 years now and love it still. Started out as an NA, added parts and evolved into a supercharged car with charge cooler, light weight flywheel, nitron suspension, td wheels and all sorts of other little changes. Half the fun (think fun is the right word) is being able to work on it yourself.

that photo is out...standing

there can be few cars that bring such performance and sense of occasion for the money

[speedtwelve]

Driven Elise S1, VX220 NA & Turbo. Was happy to have any of them (and Elise S2). Bought a VX NA. Prefer the looks compared to the Elise and have Quantum Zero coilovers and revised geo settings to make the car a bit pointier than before. It's great, whether driving to work or competing. I'm a shortarse, so have no trouble getting in or out.





Regarding Vauxhall dealers: I once took my Monaro VXR to one, looking for a part. I may as well have turned up in the Saturn V crawler vehicle.

[Stan the Bat]

Take your pick.

[unsprung]

speedtwelve said:

I may as well have turned up in the Saturn V crawler vehicle.

I'm going to write "lol" here, but I'd like you to know that I truly did laugh out loud

an amusing turn of phrase, that

beautiful blue car, too

[speedtwelve]

Cheers unsprung.

The paint's not great close-up, some osmosis and chips. Then again I bought it to drive, not polish!