NorCal SVAG Meet & Drive (April 11)

With a wet ending to winter, how about a spring get together and drive?

Where-
Silicon Valley Auto Group
620 Blossom Hill Road
Los Gatos, CA

When-
April 11 (Saturday), 9am to 1 pm

What-
Meet, Elise/Exige inspection, refreshments, sale- 15% off everything in the parts department. Good starting that day until the end of April (As of a month ago none of the autocross winners of the gift cert. have used them, a good excuse to pick something up). Refreshments and lots of cool cars to check out.

Weather permitting, at the end of the meet will lead a back road drive, with a stop at Alice’s for lunch.

Silicon Valley Auto Group will be helping us get ready for the spring and onward driving season. They will be offering a free Elise/Exige check up.

CHECK LIST:

Check oil level and condition.
Check coolant level.
Check transmission fluid level.
Check toe link torque. ___Were they loose?
Check washier fluid level.
Check all tire pressures.
Check tires for wear.
Check torque of wheel bolt.
Check operation of all exterior lights.
Check horn and hazard switch.
Check condition of brakes.
Check brake fluid level.
Check for any body damage.
Check for underbody damage.
Check all glass and mirrors.
Check door lock operation.

Check for service campaigns/recalls

We need to get a head count to make sure everyone is covered in a timely manner. Please RSVP either as a blog comment or post on the event thread at LotusTalk.


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2010 Lotus Exige S introduced

MY_2010_Exige_S_F3QTR_11

The 79th International Geneva Motor Show sees the introduction of the exciting new 2010 Model Year Lotus Exige S with a newly designed front end, a new rear wing and impressive emissions of just 199 g/km CO2.

The Lotus Exige is a renowned high performance coupe that has a well earned reputation of choice for drivers who demand uncompromised performance, both on the road and on the track.

Lotus has always pursued efficiency and fuel economy and for the 2010 Model Year Lotus Exige S, Lotus has reduced the emissions to only 199 g/km CO2 and increased the fuel economy to an impressive 8.5 litres/100 km on the Official European Combined Cycle and a frugal 6.5 litres/100 km on the Official European Extra Urban Cycle.

The 2010 Model Year also sees the introduction of a few key changes to the Exige to enhance the look and improve aerodynamic performance.

A restyled front end and new larger, rear wing that not only reduces drag, but also gives a more muscular stance enhancing the lightweight shrink-wrapped look of the whole car.

MY_2010_Exige_S_R3QTR_9

The composite rear wing is based on the design from the Exige GT3 road car concept shown at the Geneva Motorshow in 2007. Compared to the 2009 Model Year Exige tailgate mounted wing it is 181 mm wider and mounted 46 mm higher and 61 mm further back. It is attached to the rear bodyshell clam via rear end plates which not only increases the stiffness of the whole structure but also ensures that as much of the airflow as possible passes over the rear wing. This careful airflow management increases stability, reduces drag and, most importantly, maintains the impressive downforce figures of 42 kg at 160 km/h.

MY_2010_Exige_S_F3QTR_3

The restyled front end includes a larger, more angular air intake mouth to help funnel more air through the radiator, to improve the efficiency of the engine system. Ahead of the front wheels on either side of the main aperture, two larger air intakes increase the airflow to the twin oil coolers. Horizontal vanes bisect these oil cooler air-intakes to stabilise the airflow to further increase the cooling efficiency.

Since the Exige S2 was launched in 2004, the power has increased from 190 hp through 220 hp to 240 hp in standard road form – more for the track centric Exige Cup 260 – and the new larger air intakes improve engine cooling for these current higher powered Exige variants.

Mounted below the three new air intakes is a new aerodynamic splitter for the 2010 Model Year Exige. Made from a lightweight composite, the splitter is now extended to wrap around the whole of the front end and chiseled side lips are raised to deflect air around the tyres to reduce drag.

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive of Group Lotus plc said, “Over the years, the Lotus Exige has developed a hardcore fan base around the world and its popularity has placed it as one of the legendary sportscars of the 21st century. So far, over 5000 Exiges have been hand-built at our high-tech manufacturing facility making it a significant contributor to our global production. The lightweight Exige has one of the highest specific power outputs of any globally emissions certified car and 133 hp per litre is a perfect demonstration of Colin Chapman’s philosophy of performance through light weight and of Lotus’ relentless pursuit of efficiency. The same technology that makes a lightweight car a high performer also makes it efficient – how many cars have performance figures of 0 – 100 km/h in 4.77 secs but produce only 199 g/km CO2?”

MY_2010_Exige_S_Side_2

Like all Lotus cars, the functional components of the car are also beautifully designed as Russell Carr, Chief of Lotus Design, explains, “For 2010 we have taken the already visually extreme Exige and given it even more visual drama. The changes we have integrated into the front and rear of the Exige signal an even clearer and purposeful intent. The purposeful rear wing is race inspired, the new angular air intakes and full width splitter gives a more hard-edged and aggressive look. Overall, the Exige appears more planted and gives the illusion that both the front and rear of the car are wider than they really are without losing its agile and lithe character.”

Roger Becker, Director of Vehicle Engineering said, “The changes we have made to the Exige for 2010 Model Year are quite subtle when taken individually, but taken as a complete package they make significant improvements to aerodynamics and the overall look of the car. The Exige is a classic fit-for-purpose performance machine, the design tweaks we have made have reduced the drag, cleaned up the airflow around the front and rear of the car, whilst retaining the impressive balanced downforce figures, to give an exciting high performance drive.”

The specification of the highly successful 2009 Model Year Exige Cup 260, unveiled at the Paris Motorshow in 2008 remains unchanged.

The 2010 Exige in more detail:
Driver and passenger airbags are standard on all models while an on-board Tyre Pressure Monitoring System is standard in the USA.

The instrument pack in the Exige contains much more than just a pair of stylishly back-lit dials. It also features a high-definition LCD message panel that can display a scrolling text message with vehicle systems information.

The instrument pack always displays the fuel gauge, engine temperature and odometer, however you can select to display the time, trip distance or a digital read-out of your speed in the opposite calibration to that of your speedometer dial – if your dial is in mph, the readout is in km/h.

Warning symbols are ‘secret until lit’, keeping the instrumentation free from visual clutter and distraction until necessary. Gearchange ‘shift’ lights similarly remain hidden until required. There are three shift up warning lights, cumulatively lighting when the driver is getting closer to the rev limiter and when all three are illuminated, they flash to indicate that you should have changed up a gear by now!

A “key” issue
The Exige has a “Thatcham approved” alarm/immobiliser system and the ignition key incorporates the controls for the alarm/immobiliser and central locking functions. This key features three buttons, the one which locks the doors and sets the alarm/immobiliser is stylishly crowned with the famous Lotus roundel. The second button unlocks the doors and de-actives the alarm/immobiliser, and the final button is a panic alarm button.

The contents of the Touring pack, for the Exige S includes:

• Full leather or Microfibre suede-effect interior
• Leather trimmed centre console
• Leather handbrake gaiter
• Sound system iPod* connection
• Full carpets, with embroidered logo
• Auxiliary driving lights (in markets where legally allowed)
• Sound insulation kit
• Cup holder

The Exige S Sport pack includes:
• Bilstein sports dampers
• Traction control
• Adjustable front anti-roll bar
• T45 roll bar, with integrated harness mounts

The Exige S Performance Pack – more punch, more ability for Exige S
• 308 mm front cross-drilled and vented discs with AP Racing four piston callipers
• Uprated front and rear brake pads
• Full length upsized roof scoop
• Variable slip traction control
• Uprated clutch plate and cover
• Uprated vehicle performance through enhanced power and torque delivery
• Launch control

With the Exige performance pack, the power is raised to 240 PS / 179 kW (minimum) at 8000 rpm courtesy of a Magnuson/Eaton M62 supercharger, new faster flowing injectors and higher torque clutch system and an upsized roof scoop to feed more air to the supercharger intercooler system.

This hike in power, together with an increase in torque to 170 lbft / 230 Nm / 23.5 kgm at 5,500 rpm from the standard 158.6 lbft / 215 Nm / 22 kgm at 5500 rpm, helps whisk the Performance Pack Exige S from zero to 60mph in 4.5 secs and 0-100km/h in 4.77 secs, and on to 100mph in 11.97 secs. Top speed rises to 145 mph. The power and torque of the 240 PS engine is increased across the rev range giving even more flexibility. Despite these high levels of performance the fuel economy is impressive with a new combined figure of 8.5 litres / 100 km and 199 g/km CO2 – reduced from 9.1 litres / 100 km (combined) and 216 g/km CO2 for the 2009 Model Year Exige. Continuous engineering improvements over the last year including careful whole vehicle optimisation has enabled this sportscar to be even better for fuel economy and emissions.

Of course the increased power and straight-line performance are only a couple of elements of the Performance Pack option. The clutch is uprated and a clutch damper fitted; there are thicker, 308mm diameter cross-drilled and vented discs at the front clamped by AP Racing four-piston callipers; the standard brake pads are replaced by uprated pads.

Keen to pass on lessons learned on the track with the Exige GT3 racing programme, Lotus Sport has contributed another important track specific technology to the Performance Pack – launch control combined with variable traction control.

From the driver’s seat the track orientated launch control allows you to determine the engine revs you wish to use during a standing start on the track. Having programmed that limit, it will not be exceeded when you then hold down the throttle and sidestep the clutch at departure from the line. The clutch damper cushions the severity of the clutch / transmission engagement to minimise the stresses to the drivetrain (noting that continuous abusive standing start applications will destroy the drivetrain components). The launch control also keeps wheelspin at bay until 6 mph, after which the traction control assumes its duties.

As with launch control, you can dial in the amount of traction control you require from the driver’s seats, altering it on the move to suit driving style and the characteristics of particular corners. The amount of traction control can be varied in over 30 increments from an optimum 7 percent tyre slip to completely off. The message display in the new instrument pack displays what degree of traction control you have currently dialled in.

The beauty of all the packs is that they can be combined so a customer can have the additional interior and exterior equipment from the Touring pack with the sport focussed equipment from the Sport pack.

Air conditioning, Lotus traction control and limited slip differential are available as stand-alone options.

Customers wanting to add further finishing touches to their Exige – such as specifying adjustable dampers and forged wheels can do so by ordering from an extensive range of accessories.

Colours
The Premium Colour Range has been designed to further enhance the choice for customers to individualise their cars. Most of the paints in this range require a more sophisticated application process and are from our paint supplier’s premium range. The paint colours in this range have been individually priced, and it is Lotus’ intention to extend and change this range at periodic intervals.

The 2010 Model Year Exige S will enter the EU markets in May 2009.

Exige S: 199 g/km CO2
8.5 litres/100 km (33.2 mpg) Combined Cycle
11.9 litres/100 km (23.7 mpg) Urban Cycle
6.5 litres/100 km (43.5 mpg) Extra Urban Cycle

* iPod is a trademark of Apple inc registered in the USA and other countries

Evora Specifications and Pricing (EU and Switzerland)

Evora UK options and pricing
Evora 2+0 £ 47,500
Evora 2+2 £ 49,875
Tech Pack £ 2,495
Sport Pack £ 950
Premium Pack £ 2,495
Metallic Paint £ 538
Lifestyle Paint £ 979
Premium Paint £ 1,957
Powerfold Door Mirrors £ 300
Bi-Xenon Headlamps £ 550
Alpine/Lotus IMPRINT Sound £ 1,495
Alpine Reversing camera £ 300
Stealth Grey cast alloy wheels £ 300
Silver forged alloy wheels £ 1,495
Gloss Anthracite forged alloy wheels £ 1,795
Sports ratio 6-speed manual transmission £ 1,495

Full Press release below

First deliveries of the eagerly anticipated Lotus Evora will be made to customers in Europe in May 2009 following an extensive and rapid development programme, enabling the whole project to be completed in an extraordinary 27 months, almost unprecedented in the motor industry.

The Lotus Evora Launch Edition
The first 450 cars will be built to a high level standard specification which includes the following equipment:

? 2+2 seating configuration
? Tech Pack
? Premium Pack
? Sport Pack
? Hi-power silver cast alloy wheels
? Bi-Xenon Headlamps
? Alpine Imprint Audio System
? Reversing Camera
? Electric Powerfold Mirrors

The Launch Edition includes either Ardent Red or British Racing Green as standard, and all other colours from the Lotus range are available as a cost option.

Following on from these first 450 Lotus Evora Launch Edition sportscars, customers will have the opportunity to spec to a more personal level – but of course they will not be part of the select few who will be among the first to own Britain’s latest sportscar and one of the most anticipated cars of the year, complete with a unique Evora commemorative build plate in the cabin.

The Lotus Evora in Summary
The Lotus Evora will enter the sportscar market as the only mid-engined 2+2 in production. The new car is a more holistic offering than the Elise, Europa and Exige models that have been so massively popular and iconic. The Lotus Evora is designed for people who desire exotic sportscar characteristics of stunning design, exclusivity, dramatic proportions and performance. However, it offers real-world usability and a unique sense of occasion. Powered by a 3.5-litre V6 producing 280 PS and 342 Nm of torque, the new car employs innovative lightweight chassis technology to ensure all-round dynamic performance, in keeping with the great Lotus tradition.

Straight line performance is spectacular, with the zero to 100 km/h sprint taking place in just over 5 seconds with a top speed of over 260 km/h (prototype figures). Economy and emissions figures are class leading with the Official European Combined Cycle fuel economy being just 8.7 litres / 100 km and the emissions being just 205 g / km CO2. The other fuel economy figures are equally impressive with Official European Urban Cycle figures of 12.4 litres / 100 km and 6.5 litres / 100 km for the Official European Extra Urban Cycle.

Inside, the Lotus Evora cocoons occupants with sumptuous leather surfaces juxtaposed with contemporary high-tech features. With driver focused instrumentation the occupants sit in cockpit-esque surroundings. A beautifully appointed dash boasts tactile details such as flush-mounted controls that glow with blue LED haloes and a stylised speedometer and rev counter ensuring that controls are both attractive and accessible. Styled in-house by Lotus Design, the Evora’s sophisticated and attention-snaring lines brilliantly disguise its ability to accommodate passengers in the rear of the cabin, giving the car the external characteristics of a small, nimble sportscar belying its real exterior and internal space. As well as being sold in a 2+2 configuration, the car will also be available as a two-seater, the space in the rear being allocated to luggage storage. Other derivatives are also planned for the long term future, including a convertible and a version with automatic transmission.

The first production Lotus Evoras have already started down the assembly line at Lotus’ high tech manufacturing facilities in Worcester UK (where the advanced extruded and bonded aluminium chassis is made) and at the Lotus Headquarters in Hethel UK. Build volumes are expected to ramp up steadily over the next few months with a target of 34 Lotus Evoras being made each week by July 2009. This manufacturing volume is in addition to the current build volume for Lotus small car platform vehicles (Elise, Exige, Europa and 2-Eleven) of 44 per week building to 55-60 per week in the run up to the northern hemisphere summer.

For peace of mind, the Lotus Evora has a 3 year 100,000 km (60,000 miles) whole vehicle warranty with an 8 years chassis perforation warranty for EU markets.
Full standard equipment, together with the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices for the Lotus Evora and the cost option equipment are listed below:

Lotus Evora Standard and Cost Option Equipment

S – Standard O – Cost option

Engine and transmission

206 kW (276 hp, 280 PS) 3.5 litre V6 engine with VVT-I

S

6-speed manual transmission

S

Sports ratio 6-speed manual transmission

O

Optimal gear shift-point display

S

Twin polished exhaust tailpipe

S

Handling technology

Fully independent suspension layout

S

Forged aluminium unequal length double wishbones with integral joint

S

Bilstein mono-tube gas dampers (front and rear)

S

Eibach coaxial coil springs (front and rear)

S

Anti-roll bars (front and rear)

S

Yokohama Advan Sport LTS tyres (225/40 ZR18 front and 255/35 ZR19 rear)

S

Hydraulically-assisted power steering

S

BOSCH Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)

S

Switchable traction control

S

Safety

Lotus lightweight deformable bonded front structure

S

Lotus all-aluminium safety monocoque ‘tub’

S

Lotus welded galvanised deformable rear structure

S

Lotus side impact safety structure

S

Stainless steel fuel tank, sheltered within safety shell

S

2-stage airbags for driver and front passenger

S

Isofix child seat fastening system in the rear

S on 2+2 seating configuration only

AP racing 4-piston fixed aluminium alloy 2-piece callipers S

Ventilated brake discs (350 mm front and 332 mm rear)

S

BOSCH ABS with servo assisted brakes featuring

Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)

Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)

S

Key located remote control central locking system and boot release

S

Immobiliser and key activated alarm

S

3rd brake light – high mounted

S

Rear windscreen demister

S

Insulated double glazed rear window, filled with Argon

S

Wheels

Silver cast alloy wheels (18″ front and 19″ rear)

S

Silver forged alloy wheels (18″ front and 19″ rear)

O

Stealth Grey cast alloy wheels (18″ front and 19″ rear)

O

Gloss Anthracite forged alloy wheels (18″ front and 19″ rear)

O

Exterior equipment

Halogen headlights

S

Bi-Xenon headlights, incl. headlight washing system

O

Solar glass windscreen

S

Body coloured, heated, electric door mirrors

S

Body coloured, heated, electric, power-fold door mirrors

O

Aerodynamically optimised rear diffuser and wing

S

Body coloured door handles

O

Chrome brand and model designation badges

S

Interior specification

Air conditioning unit

S

Adjustable Recaro Black leather sports seats (front). Recline tilt and slide

S

Flat-bottomed leather/magnesium steering wheel

S

Manual steering column adjustment for length and height

S

Bespoke aluminium illuminated control knobs and switches

S

Electric windows

S

Leather gear-knob

S

Leather handbrake sleeve

S

Remote release glove box S

Door storage bins & integrated cup holders

S

12-V interior accessory socket

S

12-V boot mounted battery accessory socket

S

Lotus command centre with auxiliary trip computer

S

Entertainment

Alpine CD/MP3/WMA receiver including:

S

2x45W High Power Amp (6″ 1/4 coaxial 2-way speakers & dash mounted tweaters)

S

CD-R/-RW/MP3 Playback

Full speed connection for iPod touch, iPod nano and all iPod models with dock connector

S

Full speed AUX input

S

Quick search

S

Lightweight fractal aerial

S

Tech pack

O

Upgraded stereo system with:

Alpine Mobile Media Station DVD±R/±RW/MP3/AAC/WMA/DivX Playback

2x50W High Power Amp (6″ 1/4 coaxial 2-way speakers & dash mounted tweaters)

Alpine Lightweight amplifier with lightweight 150watt subwoofer

7″ WVGA Touch Screen display

Alpine BlackBird Portable Satellite Navigation

Bluetooth mobile phone connection

USB connection for various iPod models and selected

other MP3 player and memory sticks

iPod connection and docking cradle in glovebox

Full speed AUX input

Quick search

Cruise Control, included in steering wheel

Rear parking sensors

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Tech pack upgrades:

Alpine/Lotus IMPRINT Sound with Specialised Advanced fine tuning

Optimisation of sound reproduction

Enhanced sound staging and definition within the car

O

Alpine Reversing camera (day & night) with 138 degree Field of View

O

Premium pack:

O

Accent lighting

Leather trimmed tailgate insert panel

Evora Logo on dash

Premium floor mats

Choice of seat leather colour

– Charcoal

– Oyster

– Paprika

– Chestnut

Leather door panelling below trim band

Leather trimmed door pockets

Leather footwell side panels

Leather trimmed armrest

Fully leather trimmed centre console

Sport pack:

O

Switchable sports mode featuring:

Enhanced Throttle response and RPM limit

Sports traction control mode with increased yaw and slip thresholds

Sports diffuser

Titanium sports exhaust tailpipe

Cross drilled brake disks

Black painted brake callipers

Engine Oil cooler**

Paints

Solid Paint

S

Ardent Red

British Racing Green

Metallic Paint

O

Starlight Black

Liquid Blue

Persian Blue

Canyon Red

Arctic Silver

Storm Titanium

Solar Yellow

Lifestyle Paint

O

Phantom Black

Aquamarine

Laser Blue

Isotope Green

Carbon Grey

Graphite Grey

Chrome Orange

Quartz Silver

Aspen White

Saffron Yellow

Premium Paint

O

Burnt Orange

Ice White

Warranty EU Markets

3 year 100,000 km (60,000 miles) whole vehicle warranty. 8 years chassis perforation warranty. Customers statutory rights not affected.

MSRP :

including local tax

including transport

France

Italy

Belgium

Switzerland

Evora 2+0

€ 61.189,–

€ 61.874,–

€ 61,809.–

CHF 93,241.–

Evora 2+2

€ 64.717,–

€ 65.413,–

€ 65,378.–

CHF 97,829.–

Tech Pack

€ 3.508,–

€ 3.519,–

€ 3.549,–

CHF 5.228,–

Sport Pack

€ 1.498,–

€ 1.503,–

€ 1.515,–

CHF 2.233,–

Premium Pack

€ 3.005,–

€ 3.015,–

€ 3.040,–

CHF 4.478,–

Metallic Paint

€ 995,–

€ 998,–

€ 1.007,–

CHF 1.482,–

Lifestyle Paint

€ 1.859,–

€ 1.866,–

€ 1.881,–

CHF 2.771,–

Premium Paint

€ 2.751,–

€ 2.760,–

€ 2.783,–

CHF 4.101,–

Powerfold Door Mirrors € 291,–

€ 292,–

€ 295,–

CHF 433,–

Bi-Xenon Headlamps

€ 995,–

€ 998,–

€ 1.007,–

CHF 1.484,–

Alpine/Lotus IMPRINT Sound

€ 1.498,–

€ 1.503,–

€ 1.515,–

CHF 2.234,–

Alpine Reversing camera

€ 593,–

€ 595,–

€ 600,–

CHF 892,–

Stealth Grey cast alloy wheels

€ 553,–

€ 555,–

€ 559,–

CHF 825,–

Silver forged alloy wheels

€ 2.000,–

€ 2.007,–

€ 2.023,–

CHF 2.985,–

Gloss Anthracite forged alloy wheels

€ 2.764,–

€ 2.773,–

€ 2.796,–

CHF 4.122,–

Sports ratio 6-speed manual transmission

€ 1.809,–

€ 1.815,–

€ 1.830,–

CHF 2.698,–

MSRP :

MSRP:

including local tax

excluding local tax

excluding transport

excluding transport

Germany

United Kingdom*

Euro zone Countries

Evora 2+0

€ 59.990,–

£ 47,500.–

€ 50.412,–

Evora 2+2

€ 63.500,–

£ 49,875.–

€ 53.361,–

Tech Pack

€ 3.490,–

£ 2,495.–

€ 2.933,–

Sport Pack

€ 1.490,–

£ 950.–

€ 1.252,–

Premium Pack

€ 2.990,–

£ 2,495.–

€ 2.513,–

Metallic Paint

€ 990,–

£ 538.–

€ 832,–

Lifestyle Paint

€ 1.850,–

£ 979.–

€ 1.555,–

Premium Paint

€ 2.737,–

£ 1,957.–

€ 2.300,–

Powerfold Door Mirrors

€ 290,–

£ 300.–

€ 244,–

Bi-Xenon Headlamps

€ 990,–

£ 550.–

€ 832,–

Alpine/Lotus IMPRINT Sound

€ 1.490,–

£ 1,495.–

€ 1.252,–

Alpine Reversing camera

€ 590,–

£ 300.–

€ 496,–

Stealth Grey cast alloy wheels

€ 550,–

£ 300.–

€ 462,–

Silver forged alloy wheels

€ 1.990,–

£ 1,495.–

€ 1.672,–

Gloss Anthracite forged alloy wheels

€ 2.750,–

£ 1,795.–

€ 2.311,–

Sports ratio 6-speed manual transmission

€ 1.800,–

£ 1,495.–

€ 1.513,–

All prices include first service and manufacturers warranty

All prices exclude on the road costs; on the road costs typically refer to registration, fuel, license plates, road tax, local dealer charges

* UK MRSP price – add £950 for on the road price


Lotus Evora:

205 g/km CO2
8.7 litres / 100 km (32.5 mpg) Combined Cycle
12.4 litres / 100 km (22.8 mpg) Urban Cycle
6.5 litres / 100 km (43.5 mpg) Extra Urban Cycle

Lotus Omnivore Research Engine Unveiled

Lotus Omnivore Research Engine

Lotus Engineering has just shown of its latest engine concept at the Geneva Motor Show. The Lotus Omnivore Research Engine combines a variable compressions ratio with direct fuel injection in a two stroke cycle to both enhance efficiency and allow maximum flexibility in terms of fuel type.

Full press release below:

Lotus Engineering, the world-renowned automotive consultancy division of Lotus Cars Limited, unveils its latest research into engine efficiency at the 79th International Geneva Motor Show. The Omnivore engine concept has the potential to significantly increase fuel efficiency for sustainable alcohol based fuels, which increases the prospect of a greater amount of vehicle miles travelled using renewable fuels. On display will be the single cylinder research engine monoblock that demonstrates the novel architecture designed for high thermal efficiency when fuelled on any alcohol based fuel or gasoline.

The Omnivore concept features an innovative variable compression ratio system and uses a two-stroke operating cycle with direct fuel injection. It is ideally suited to flex-fuel operation with a higher degree of optimisation than is possible with existing four stroke engines.

The engine concept features a monoblock construction that blends the cylinder head and block together eliminating the need for a cylinder head gasket, improving durability and reducing weight. In this case, the application of a monoblock is facilitated by the absence of the requirement for poppet valves. A novel charge trapping valve in the exhaust port allows asymmetric timing of exhaust flow and continuous variation of the exhaust opening point.

The variable compression ratio is achieved by the use of a puck at the top of the combustion chamber. This simple, yet effective system moves up and down affecting the change in geometric compression depending on the load demands on the engine.

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus plc said: “We are delighted to unveil this major milestone in the development of an engine configuration for a new breed of more efficient multi-fuel engines. The automotive sector is focusing on its environmental obligations to improve efficiency, minimise reliance on fossil fuels and reduce harmful emissions and Lotus continues to be an industry leader through our work on all aspects of future fuels. Sustainable alcohol based fuels have the potential to reduce the overall CO2 footprint of internal combustion engines towards zero and for this reason, need to be embraced as future fuels for road transport.”

In this collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast and Orbital Corporation Limited Australia, with sponsorship from DEFRA/DECC and DOE NI through the Renewables Materials LINK programme, Lotus Engineering is currently in the final stages of commissioning the Omnivore single-cylinder research engine. It uses the Orbital FlexDI(TM) fuel injection system which produces fine in-cylinder fuel preparation irrespective of fuel type, and together with air pre-mixing allows efficient two-stroke combustion and low-temperature starting, whilst offering singular opportunity for advanced HCCI control.

The Omnivore programme is another development of Lotus’ research into understanding the complex combustion processes involved in running an engine on mixtures of alcohol based fuels and gasoline, which included the Lotus Exige 270E Tri-fuel, unveiled at the International Geneva Motor Show in 2008. This research is vitally important for a successful transition from today’s fuels to the more efficient sustainable fuels of the future.

Geraint Castleton-White, Head of Powertrain at Lotus Engineering said, “The absence of poppet valves in two-stroke engines makes the incorporation of a variable compression ratio system relatively straightforward. Our research into these systems on four-stroke engines has led us to the conclusion that while thermodynamically it is a desirable technology to incorporate, practically it is very difficult, particularly taking into consideration production feasibility. This two-stroke engine could solve these practical difficulties and simultaneously permits a much larger range of compression ratio adjustment, with the potential to perform at a much higher efficiency when running on renewable fuels.”

About Group Lotus plc:
The main operating subsidiary of Group Lotus plc is Lotus Cars Ltd, which has two operating divisions – Lotus Engineering and Lotus Cars. Lotus Engineering is an internationally recognised automotive engineering consultancy based in Norfolk, UK. Global facilities include those in Michigan (USA), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), China and offices in Germany and Japan, with rapid expansion in new territories such as South East Asia and the Gulf States.

Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive and versatile consultancy services to many of the world’s OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, offering a full engineering service from initial concept and project design through development and integration of the complete vehicle to meet all worldwide markets and customers to full production. This includes third party ‘niche vehicle’ engineering and manufacture worldwide.

Lotus Cars builds world class, prestige, high performance sports cars for sale in 37 countries. These include the iconic Lotus Elise, the Exige and Europa. Lotus is a global high-tech company, expanding rapidly and committed to driving forward technology for both Lotus Cars and its Engineering clients, spearheading research into such areas as hybrids, electric vehicles and renewable fuels.

GGLC Winter Karting Series – Race #3

Join us for the final race of the inaugural GGLC winter karting series on March 7th, Saturday @ 11:30am. The top 5 spots in the championship will be getting some nice prizes including a trophy for first place. Even if your not in the running, we will have a drawing to hand out a GGLC track day to a club member.

The series points are very close and there are plenty of folks in the hunt for overall win. The current standings are as follows:

  1. rnr (10)
  2. Ivan Bankov (10)
  3. BEANER (8)
  4. Soigne (8)
  5. JayG (6)
  6. Alexander (6)
  7. RED (5)
  8. SloDog (5)
  9. Wilis (4)
  10. kenl (4)
  11. Andrei Filimon (3)
  12. MaskMan
  13. Knucklehead (2)
  14. Rhodes (2)
  15. ace (1)
  16. Maria (1)

Format will be heats competition – practice, heat races, semi finals, top 10 to the finals. Be sure to give LeMans a call, if your plan on attending. Club members, guests or fellow Lotus owners are welcome.

Cost $50, per event. Additional $5 for pizza and soda.

Arrive at 11am for check in, lunch, first karts out by 12:30. Call LeMans Karting to reserve a spot(s).

Le Mans Karting
45957 Hotchkiss Street
Fremont, CA 94539
Phone: (510) 770-9001
www.lemanskarting.com