Lotus Vauxhall engine
Encyclopedia
It is a common misconception that the Lotus 900 series engines were modified Vauxhall
engines. The 900 series was designed by Lotus as their first self developed engine, and due to similarities in dimensions and layout, Vauxhall 4-cylinder iron blocks were used as testbeds.
The 900 series engine was introduced in production form as the Lotus 907
in the 1972 Jensen-Healey
, and went on to power Lotus into the late 1990s. It is regarded as the first modern DOHC, 16-valve production engine made. The Jensen-Healey
was released for sale to the general public with the first 907 engine shortly before the Cosworth Vega which also had a DOHC, 16-valve engine. Pre-war DOHC 4 valve per cylinder production engines included the Duesenberg
and the Stutz
DV-32 straight-8
engines.
racecar, and indeed used a Vauxhall iron block, termed the Lotus–Vauxhall engine.
The Lotus 907
engine, the first production version, was 2.0 L (1973 cc) and was used in the Jensen-Healey
and later Lotus Esprit, Lotus Elite
and Lotus Eclat
. Bore was 3.75 in (95.28 mm) and stroke was 2.725 in (69.24 mm), and a DOHC 4-valve
head was fitted, one of the first in modern times. Breathing through dual carburettors, the engine produced 160 hp (118 kW) at 6500 rpm with 140 ft.lbf of torque.
Applications:
Applications:
KE-Jetronic fuel injection - the first fuel-injected Esprits. This Bosch
fuel injection was used in 1986, 1987, and 1988 model years. In 1989 The Bosch
fuel injection system was superseded by Delco
GMP4 electronic fuel injection. Included in this change to Delco engine management is the addition of crank-fired wasted spark ignition that removed the need for a distributor. The engine was again upgraded in 1990 to the type 910s for use in the Esprit SE where it produced 280 hp with the addition of a water to air intercooler
known as the Chargecooler. In its ultimate incarnation as used in the Sport 300, X180R and S4s the engine was capable of 300 hp, propelling these cars to 0-60 times in the low 4 seconds.
Applications:
Vauxhall Motors
Vauxhall Motors is a British automotive company owned by General Motors and headquartered in Luton. It was founded in 1857 as a pump and marine engine manufacturer, began manufacturing cars in 1903 and was acquired by GM in 1925. It has been the second-largest selling car brand in the UK for...
engines. The 900 series was designed by Lotus as their first self developed engine, and due to similarities in dimensions and layout, Vauxhall 4-cylinder iron blocks were used as testbeds.
The 900 series engine was introduced in production form as the Lotus 907
Lotus 907
The Lotus 907 was an engine designed and manufactured for automotive applications by Lotus Cars. It was an original design, dual overhead cam, 16 valve all alloy powerplant. It displaced 1973 cc and developed approximately with dual sidedraft Dell'Orto carburetors...
in the 1972 Jensen-Healey
Jensen-Healey
The Jensen-Healey is a two-seater convertible sports car that was originally produced between 1972 and 1976 by Jensen Motors, Ltd. Roughly 10,000 were produced at West Bromwich, England. A related fastback, the Jensen GT was introduced in 1975.-Design:...
, and went on to power Lotus into the late 1990s. It is regarded as the first modern DOHC, 16-valve production engine made. The Jensen-Healey
Jensen-Healey
The Jensen-Healey is a two-seater convertible sports car that was originally produced between 1972 and 1976 by Jensen Motors, Ltd. Roughly 10,000 were produced at West Bromwich, England. A related fastback, the Jensen GT was introduced in 1975.-Design:...
was released for sale to the general public with the first 907 engine shortly before the Cosworth Vega which also had a DOHC, 16-valve engine. Pre-war DOHC 4 valve per cylinder production engines included the Duesenberg
Duesenberg
Duesenberg was an Auburn, Indiana based American luxury automobile company active in various forms from 1913 to 1937, most famous for its high-quality passenger cars and record-breaking racing cars.-History:...
and the Stutz
Stutz Motor Company
The Stutz Motor Company was a producer of luxury cars based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Production began in 1911 and continued through 1935. The marque reappeared in 1968 under the aegis of Stutz Motor Car of America, Inc., and with a newly defined modern retro-look. Although the company is...
DV-32 straight-8
Straight-8
The straight-eight engine or inline-eight engine is an eight-cylinder internal combustion engine with all eight cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase...
engines.
904
The initial 2.0 litre Lotus 904 engine was first used in the Lotus type 62 EuropaLotus Europa
The Lotus Europa was a two door mid-engined GT coupé built by Lotus Cars from 1966 to 1975. In 2006 Lotus began production of a totally new, Lotus Elise-derived design, a mid-engined GT coupé named Europa S....
racecar, and indeed used a Vauxhall iron block, termed the Lotus–Vauxhall engine.
911
The engine was modified into the type 911, which was fully designed by Lotus, used in the winning Lotus Talbot Sunbeam rally and production cars.907
Lotus 907
The Lotus 907 was an engine designed and manufactured for automotive applications by Lotus Cars. It was an original design, dual overhead cam, 16 valve all alloy powerplant. It displaced 1973 cc and developed approximately with dual sidedraft Dell'Orto carburetors...
engine, the first production version, was 2.0 L (1973 cc) and was used in the Jensen-Healey
Jensen-Healey
The Jensen-Healey is a two-seater convertible sports car that was originally produced between 1972 and 1976 by Jensen Motors, Ltd. Roughly 10,000 were produced at West Bromwich, England. A related fastback, the Jensen GT was introduced in 1975.-Design:...
and later Lotus Esprit, Lotus Elite
Lotus Elite
Not to be confused with the Lotus Elise.The Lotus Elite name was used for two vehicles from Lotus Cars.-1957:The first Elite or Lotus Type 14 was an ultra-light two-seater coupé, produced from 1958 to 1963....
and Lotus Eclat
Lotus Eclat
The Type 76 and Type 84 Lotus Eclat, built from 1974 to 1982, was a front engine rear drive coupe. It was based on the Lotus Elite but had a fastback body style which offered more practicality with storage in the boot ....
. Bore was 3.75 in (95.28 mm) and stroke was 2.725 in (69.24 mm), and a DOHC 4-valve
Multi-valve
In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design...
head was fitted, one of the first in modern times. Breathing through dual carburettors, the engine produced 160 hp (118 kW) at 6500 rpm with 140 ft.lbf of torque.
Applications:
- 1972-1976 Jensen-HealeyJensen-HealeyThe Jensen-Healey is a two-seater convertible sports car that was originally produced between 1972 and 1976 by Jensen Motors, Ltd. Roughly 10,000 were produced at West Bromwich, England. A related fastback, the Jensen GT was introduced in 1975.-Design:...
- 1975-1976 Jensen GT
- 1974-1980 Lotus EliteLotus EliteNot to be confused with the Lotus Elise.The Lotus Elite name was used for two vehicles from Lotus Cars.-1957:The first Elite or Lotus Type 14 was an ultra-light two-seater coupé, produced from 1958 to 1963....
S1 - 1975-1985 Lotus EclatLotus EclatThe Type 76 and Type 84 Lotus Eclat, built from 1974 to 1982, was a front engine rear drive coupe. It was based on the Lotus Elite but had a fastback body style which offered more practicality with storage in the boot ....
S1 - 1975-1978 Lotus Esprit S1
- 1978-1981 Lotus Esprit S2
912
Also known as the naturally aspirated "Lotus 910", the stroke was increased to 76.2 mm giving a displacement of 2.2 L (2174 cc).Applications:
- 1981 Lotus Esprit S2.2
- 1981-1990 Lotus Esprit S3 and NA
- 1981 Lotus EclatLotus EclatThe Type 76 and Type 84 Lotus Eclat, built from 1974 to 1982, was a front engine rear drive coupe. It was based on the Lotus Elite but had a fastback body style which offered more practicality with storage in the boot ....
S2.2 - 1982 Lotus ExcelLotus ExcelThe Type 89 Lotus Excel, built from 1982 to 1992, is a front-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car designed and built by Lotus. It was based on the design of the earlier Lotus Eclat, which itself was based on the earlier Lotus Elite II....
SE
910
Turbocharged engines introduced in 1980 were known as the type 910, which in high compression configuration produced 215 hp and an astounding 220 ft.lbf of torque. For markets with stringent emissions requirements, Lotus introduced BoschBosch
Bosch is a popular surname in Catalan and Dutch; it means forest. It may refer to:Buildings:*Huis ten Bosch, an official palace of the Dutch Royal Family in The Hague, Netherlands*Bosch Palace, the official residence of the U.S...
KE-Jetronic fuel injection - the first fuel-injected Esprits. This Bosch
Bosch
Bosch is a popular surname in Catalan and Dutch; it means forest. It may refer to:Buildings:*Huis ten Bosch, an official palace of the Dutch Royal Family in The Hague, Netherlands*Bosch Palace, the official residence of the U.S...
fuel injection was used in 1986, 1987, and 1988 model years. In 1989 The Bosch
Bosch
Bosch is a popular surname in Catalan and Dutch; it means forest. It may refer to:Buildings:*Huis ten Bosch, an official palace of the Dutch Royal Family in The Hague, Netherlands*Bosch Palace, the official residence of the U.S...
fuel injection system was superseded by Delco
Delco
Delco may refer to:* Delaware County, Ohio* Delaware County, Pennsylvania* Delco, North Carolina* Delco Electronics...
GMP4 electronic fuel injection. Included in this change to Delco engine management is the addition of crank-fired wasted spark ignition that removed the need for a distributor. The engine was again upgraded in 1990 to the type 910s for use in the Esprit SE where it produced 280 hp with the addition of a water to air intercooler
Intercooler
An intercooler , or charge air cooler, is an air-to-air or air-to-liquid heat exchange device used on turbocharged and supercharged internal combustion engines to improve their volumetric efficiency by increasing intake air charge density through nearly isobaric cooling, which removes...
known as the Chargecooler. In its ultimate incarnation as used in the Sport 300, X180R and S4s the engine was capable of 300 hp, propelling these cars to 0-60 times in the low 4 seconds.
Applications:
- 1980-1990 Lotus Esprit Turbo
- 1990-1993 Lotus Esprit SE
- 1993 Lotus Esprit Sport 300 and X180R
- 1993-1996 Lotus Esprit S4
- 1995-1996 Lotus Esprit S4s