M718R

I believe it was a requirement in order for it to be co-made by BMW/Toyota, it had to have a BMW powertrain. To be honest the supra is pretty much all BMW, including interior, engine, transmission and built in Graz, Austria. Everything was set up from the beginning to be BMW. The supra is pretty far away from being a Japanese car, apart from it's exterior design. *** also built on the BMW Z4 platform ***

Avera

Aha, that would explain things

Thank you

Avera

P.S. So what does Toyota actually use their V6 for that Lotus thought it would be so good in their sport car?

Xxyion

Its a fantastic car though imo. Owned one for about a year. Only got rid of it to make room for the GT4. But if I wasn't going to get the Gt4 it would still be in my garage. I had an M2 Competition before it and tbh the Supra doesn't really feel like a BMW totally. Like its definetly there but overall it still felt like a JDM experience in my opinion. Just with that German refinement.

M718R

The 3.5L V6 naturally aspirated engine is used at some point / version in almost all Toyota/Lexus products. It's the 2GR-FE version which lotus use. The link below shows every vehicle that has received a 6 cylinder GR V6 Toyota engine. It's literally in everything, hence why it is considered one of the greatest V6 motors ever engineered, regularly breaking over 300K miles. Impressive, from a reliability standpoint.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_GR_engine#2GR

Avera

Thank you again. . . I am obviously not up to date when it comes to the Toyota/Lexus offerings. I should be because I would venture to say Toyota/Lexus offerings are the most popular cars on the road in my neck of the woods (Central Florida). They are EVERYWHERE.

Oddly, I have spent the better part of my time in Central Florida over the past two years and have yet to see a single other GT4 on the road. There is a Spyder I see roaming around, but not a single GT4 in over two years.

Avera

vtplm

I feel like lotus as a company is more akin to small more bespoke motoring companies like Ariel which used a Honda and I believe ford engines at some point. Obviously they're trying to shift to a broader marker since they're now backed by Geely. Little point in the company developing their own engine especially since they made the dedication to move all electric following the emira. I have an 07 exige and I'm low key glad I got in when it still had the high revving 2zz engine. A big deal breaker for me for the emira is actually the size/support of the dealer network.

M718R

Yup, you nailed it... dealer network, parts, service... all subpar for the price you pay. It's the biggest problem with a Lotus.

85Gold

Next time we have a 🍺 get together in Orl I'll give you a heads up. Just a group of AutoX, track guys and 1Lap with an eclectic mix of cars.

Peter

Avera

Sounds great!

I’m not a tracker, but I think I can fake it if necessary 🤣

Avera

unclemat

I am little bit surprised by your GTS4.0 vs GT4 vs Evora "feel" comments. I agree Evora is superior to 718, and I don't think the differences between GTS4.0 and GT4 are that great. Granted, it's been a while since I drove GT4 (before I got my GTS 4.0).

EDIT: posted before reading rest of the thread's drama.... oh, well.

Underblu

I think you are slightly missing the point. I like the Emira overall. As I said, its a pretty car, and afaic, better looking than many of the mid engine exotics that go for much higher price tags. I do feel the engine is a let down. And I’m not saying the Toyota V6 is a bad engine. But it is a commonplace V6 that resides in almost every 6 cylinder based Toyota and redlines at around 6800. That is hardly my definition of an exciting sports car engine. Hence pedestrian, which I think is a very accurate descriptor.

Now if Lotus just used the Toyota engine block and created it’s own high revving bespoke version of the V6 I would have a different opinion. A car that looks as good as the Emira should have a more exciting race or sports car inspired engine. Maybe the AMG engine despite being 4 cylinders will be just the thing. Lotus has a history with high output turbo 4s so it would be fitting. I’d love to see the Alfa quadrifoglio engine in Emira. That would be a beast and well worth whatever premium such an engine would garner imo.

unclemat

The Alfa/Ferrari engine in a Lotus? It's little hard to process the idea of such crossbreeding, but sounds crazy appealing.

EDIT: then maybe not. One allure of Toyota engine is reliability...

M718R

Fair enough, no argument that the Lotus deserves a more exciting engine. I just don't find fault in using the Toyota engine as long as the performance is there. Would I want 500 BHP GT3 engine.... damn right I would! or the Alfa quadrifoglio would be nice as well.

RoadrunnerGTS

Just wait for that AMG 2.0 engine with a stage 1 or 2 on it. Probably looking at a 500HP+ Emira

The Toyota V6 SC whilst reliable, is bland and boring. 6500 redline is too low. The AMG engine, whilst massive power, is also rather boring in terms of redline and sound. They should have taken the Audi 2.5 IL5 engine in the RS3.... that's a great engine!

schweez

I have such a love and passion for both these manufacturers — I felt the need to share my opinion. It is just that….an opinion.

I’ve owned three Eliges (Elise and 2 Exiges), an Evora S and numerous mid engine Porsches. Highlights being a 987 Spyder, 981 GTS and current GT4. I agree with what most have said. Lotus is superior in steering compared to the modern Porsche and Porsche is superior in the engine/transmission department. Where I differ I guess is that to me the Exige (particularly the n/a variant from 2006) is the most visceral and connected car I’ve ever driven. It’s a low bucket seats sitting car with a low placed high revving mid-engine and silly wing. To me the closest thing to that is the Cayman GT4. I feel the GT4 is more of a grown up Exige than the Evora was. And I’ve driven the GT numerous times. I still obsessed over the decision on whether to get the Evora GT or the 718 GT4. Ultimately the Porsche won out. To me $100k+ for a low revving Toyota Engine was a tough pill to swallow compared to the Porsche engine. I feel the same about the Emira. I wouldn’t get it with the same engine essentially as a 2010 Evora with a supercharger attached. I am far more interested in the AMG engine in a stripped out “GT4” variant. That’d be the only car that could possibly get me out of the GT4.

Now if Lotus would’ve brought the Evora GT430 out here with the bucket seats and ohlins…..that’d been a real tough decision.