What is this I read in the Autoweek article about the FED Elise having 183HP SAE not 190HP. Is this just a miscommunication by LOA. Since when have any U.S. import specifications been reported as DIN? I am confused.
Fed Elise 183HP not 190HP???
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The Grinch who stole Christmas...
I have to admit I'm underwhelmed with Lotus' tuning efforts. The gains over the Celica GT-S are likely the result of exhaust modifications. I'm beginning to believe Lotus left the ECU basically untouched. The same gains have been realized with aftermarket exhausts for the Celica GT-S. Not that 187HP/138ft-lbs is inadequate, just not much different than stock. I know we haven't seen the curves but without forced induction, it is really hard to shift a torque curve significantly. I was expecting too much from the Lotus tuning engineers. I don't believe for a minute the engine is at peak output. One tuner on the New Celica site has achieved 230HP with a cold air intake, exhaust and custom software. Everything else is stock. The dyno is available on the site. I've always considered the stock engine just a starting point anyway. No sweat.
Actually that is kind of what I meant by "starting point". I love tuning. It's just when I mention modifying the Elise, I lot of people get all bent out of shape mentioning how the Lotus engineers have already given the car their blessing and it would be a sin to violate it.
The TRD site shows the 2zz-g engine modifications as being "under development".http://www.toyota-trd.com/en/comp/engine.html
Remember it's not hard to tune for max horsepower. Where it gets tough is spreading that power over the rev range and keeping good throttle response. Along with those, the factory engineers need to keep fuel economy a concern which may not matter to us but it does to the government.
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Also, don't believe everything you read on the internet. If I had a dime for every inflation of hp numbers or fibbing about what was really "done" to the car, I'd be a millionare. The internet is the worst for such things. Damn Al Gore to hell for creating it!
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You also forgot to mention those pesky emission standards. Lotus has to tune the car to meet the standards for at least 100,000 miles with out any major repairs. After-market tuners don't have to bother with such things. So, yea, someone can make the engine have more power (or better economy, etc.), but it is a difficult task to meet the various emission, economy, reliability, NVH, cold start, hot running, etc. requirements along with making the most power - that's where Lotus and other manufacturers spend their efforts.L8BRAKR said:
I've said it many times before, everything is a compromise. For every improvement in one area, something else is suffering (if only that it costs more). Finding the right balance is what Lotus did a very good job at.
My car is so much fun to drive. If I wanted to have the biggest hp number I would have bought a corvette. I believe companies need to be honest and I don't think Lotus has tried to deceive anyone but instead build one of the most unique sportscars on the market especially for the price.
While other companies can make cars with great numbers, Lotus has made one that is incredible to drive which at the end of the day should be why people buy cars.
While other companies can make cars with great numbers, Lotus has made one that is incredible to drive which at the end of the day should be why people buy cars.
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