Report: Lotus using funds to develop its own V6, V8 engines
This isn’t the first time we’re hearing this and it probably won’t be the last. British sports car maker Lotus is producing its own V6 and V8 engines after recently deciding to delay the production of the Elan. According to CEO Dany Bahar, the Lotus Elan mid-engined 450-hp V6 model was ‘too close’ to the new Esprit. That will move the debut of the Lotus Elan four-seater until the end of its five-year plan.
In the mean time, Lotus is using its funds from the Elan to produce a new modular engine family, that could also include a inline 4-banger.
“This is a big [financial] hit because it’s expensive to do an engine,’ said Bahar. “But because the Elan is not happening now we have got capital expenditure headroom for engine development.”
The first V8 prototype from Lotus will begin testing in July and insiders say that output will range from 550-hp to 570-hp.
Lotus Elan Concept:
– By: Omar Rana
Source: AutoCar