Lotus Exige 270E Tri-Fuel Could See Production - LotusTalk

Administrator · 05-07-2009, 10:04 AM

When Lotus first showed the Exige 270E Tri-Fuel at the Geneva Auto Show back in 2008 it was seen more as an engineering project than a concept car. That, however, may change.

Recently the vehicle was put on display at the Shanghai Auto Show in China and interest was so high China's Lotus distributor is pushing for a production model. Youngman Auto, a joint-venture between Lotus and the Chinese government (that's how they do things in China), has now made an official request to Lotus in the U.K. to build a consumer version of the sports car.

As the name suggest, the Tri-Fuel Exige can operate on any one of three energy sources: gasoline, bioethanol and methanol. It is, therefore, a three-way FlexFuel vehicle.

And that "green" engineering doesn't come as the cost of performance either. Quite the opposite actually. The Exige 270E Tri-Fuel (again, as the name suggests), makes 270hp from a supercharged Toyota-sourced 1.8-liter four-cylinder. Lotus estimates the car can hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and tops out at 158 mph.

Lotus corporate has not made any claims about the production request but we'll be sure to bring you news as it develops.

More: Lotus Exige 270E Tri-Fuel Could See Production on AutoGuide.com

Randy Chase · 05-07-2009, 10:06 AM

agirls · 05-07-2009, 10:23 AM

Is that the only picture available? It looks hot!

Demonized · 05-07-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agirls

Is that the only picture available? It looks hot!

Let me google that for you

milehitom · 05-07-2009, 10:55 AM

Maybe Lotus will also supply a conversion kit...I can dream, can't I?

Tom

bueno · 05-07-2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonized

Let me google that for you

Ouch.

chotto · 05-07-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agirls

Is that the only picture available? It looks hot!

Try searching tri-fuel. It's been talked about a lot. AutoEurope has had this car at their place for a long time. They showed it at the auto show.

eliiz · 05-07-2009, 11:28 AM

Well, it´s sure something to do in these days, but 270bhp aren´t enough anymore, when there´s many Honda or Audi converted cars that are over 300bhp. 360bhp or more!

Vishus_1 · 05-07-2009, 11:30 AM

If Lotus is planning on building this, I don't see it coming as an 09. I would expect 2009 production to end, as it typically does, somewhere around June. Usually dealers place orders 2 months ahead of that (which has already passed). So if Lotus does build this it will be a 2010 with 2010 bodywork.

ads_green · 05-07-2009, 10:41 PM

Lotus would be insane unless they can get solid protection on the technology (which doesn't exist) .
Otherwise it'll simply be ripped off by a local firm.

05-07-2009, 10:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
Administrator Administrator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 188	Lotus Exige 270E Tri-Fuel Could See Production When Lotus first showed the Exige 270E Tri-Fuel at the Geneva Auto Show back in 2008 it was seen more as an engineering project than a concept car. That, however, may change. Recently the vehicle was put on display at the Shanghai Auto Show in China and interest was so high China's Lotus distributor is pushing for a production model. Youngman Auto, a joint-venture between Lotus and the Chinese government (that's how they do things in China), has now made an official request to Lotus in the U.K. to build a consumer version of the sports car. As the name suggest, the Tri-Fuel Exige can operate on any one of three energy sources: gasoline, bioethanol and methanol. It is, therefore, a three-way FlexFuel vehicle. And that "green" engineering doesn't come as the cost of performance either. Quite the opposite actually. The Exige 270E Tri-Fuel (again, as the name suggests), makes 270hp from a supercharged Toyota-sourced 1.8-liter four-cylinder. Lotus estimates the car can hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and tops out at 158 mph. Lotus corporate has not made any claims about the production request but we'll be sure to bring you news as it develops. More: Lotus Exige 270E Tri-Fuel Could See Production on AutoGuide.com

05-07-2009, 10:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,174 Images: 761	__________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! 2006 Noble M400. Getrag tranny, Quaiffe LSD, Hinged clams. Duratec dual turbo V6. Hoosier 315-18 tires. 2350 pounds. Over 500hp. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Wing. Black leather/Alcantara with orange stitching. The street car. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle.

05-07-2009, 10:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
agirls Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Santa Paula, CA Posts: 767 Images: 73	Is that the only picture available? It looks hot! __________________ Toys- 07 Lotus Exige S Chrome Orange 05 Ducati S4R 02 Suzuki SV650 09 Kawasaki KLX250

05-07-2009, 11:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
Vishus_1 Super charged! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,038 Images: 62	If Lotus is planning on building this, I don't see it coming as an 09. I would expect 2009 production to end, as it typically does, somewhere around June. Usually dealers place orders 2 months ahead of that (which has already passed). So if Lotus does build this it will be a 2010 with 2010 bodywork. __________________ 2009 Exige 260 SPORT - Chrome Orange / Carbon Fiber / Black with the mustache Purchased through St Louis Motorsports

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05-07-2009, 10:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
milehitom Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,143	<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eE0F81BXZgI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eE0F81BXZgI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object> It's always fun to see this again. Maybe Lotus will also supply a conversion kit...I can dream, can't I? Tom

05-07-2009, 11:28 AM	#8 (permalink)
eliiz Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Finland Posts: 73	Well, it´s sure something to do in these days, but 270bhp aren´t enough anymore, when there´s many Honda or Audi converted cars that are over 300bhp. 360bhp or more!

05-07-2009, 10:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
ads_green Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 348	Lotus would be insane unless they can get solid protection on the technology (which doesn't exist) . Otherwise it'll simply be ripped off by a local firm.

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