14 May 2007

LOTUS EXIGE 265E HAS FIRST JAPANESE OUTING AT JSAE

Visitors to the JSAE Show in Yokohama in May will be the first outside the UK to see the unique Lotus Exige 265E flex-fuel technology demonstrator. Also on display will be Lotus Engineering’s advanced optical access research engine. These cutting edge developments are part of Lotus Engineering’s continuing research into new and exciting technologies to reduce the environmental impact of the internal combustion engine.

The world-class Lotus Engineering innovations will feature on the UK’s Pavilion and are set to be star attractions of the show.

Lotus Exige 265E flex-fuel demonstrator
Lotus Engineering’s Exige 265E technology demonstrator, developed to run on any mixture of BioEthanol from 100% gasoline to E85 BioEthanol (15% Gasoline), will be the centrepiece of the UK’s stand at JSAE. One of the world’s quickest road-legal bio-ethanol fuelled cars, the Exige 265E is powered by a modified version of the supercharged and intercooled 4-cylinder engine from the production Lotus Exige S. With 197 kW (268 PS) the Exige 265E accelerates to 100 kph in 4.1 seconds and to a top speed of 254 kph. It is an example of Lotus Engineering’s commitment to developing eco-friendly powertrain solutions that also provide an exciting and engaging driving experience.

The powertrain of the Exige 265E incorporates a modified fuel system and sophisticated Lotus-developed engine management programme. A sensor in the fuel tank diagnoses the real-time bio-ethanol/gasoline mix and the ECU adapts the engine fuelling, timing, camswitching and ignition strategies accordingly.

Lotus Engineering Optical Access Active Valvetrain engine
The UK engineering consultancy is also showcasing one of the most sophisticated research engines in the world. The Optical Access AVT™ engine combines Lotus Engineering’s pioneering fully variable active valvetrain (AVT™) technology and its optical access combustion chamber technology. Each is used independently for leading edge powertrain research and development, and in combination offer engineers a suite of extremely powerful capabilities. It is being used by Lotus Engineering and its clients to gain in-depth understanding and knowledge of the very latest engine technologies.

Optical access allows engineers to use advanced diagnostic techniques such as high speed imaging and laser Doppler anemometry to examine and record airflow and fuel spray characteristics, soot and particulate formation and the combustion event itself. The fully variable electro-hydraulic valvetrain technology, pioneered by Lotus Engineering, allows engineers to infinitely vary the profile of the valve events in real time. It allows rapid assessment of different valve profile strategies and of the impact of those variations on events in the chamber.

So advanced is the unique technology as a powertrain research tool, many global OEMs have purchased the technology from Lotus Engineering.

Lotus Engineering – world leaders in the development of efficient performance solutions
The Optical Access AVT™ engine and the Exige 265E bi-fuel demonstrator are part of a range of world-class efficient performance solutions and technologies developed by Lotus Engineering. At the Geneva Motorshow in March, the UK automotive consultancy showcased a hybrid technology demonstrator and an integrated exhaust manifold design concept, and it is involved in a number of electric vehicle programmes for clients.