TF109B

In a scan on another forum, it showed the LFA for I think Hockenheim short, and it was at 1.3G also the Audi R8 5.2 was 1.3G the 458 was 1.3G the SLS was also at 1.3G so its like the guy could get better times on the ring from the LFA in the corners but not on the handling course.

05RollaXRS

As it says in the article, LFA's downforce over the rear axle is 37 KG, which is a lot higher than most supercars as apparent here in this article:

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f152...-anyone-86195/

TF109B

The downforce was the reason for it's apparent lack of acceleration to 300kmh, but the hockenheim short track doesn't see those speeds. Also in slower corners around the ring it was in the 1.3G+ range. How that didn't translate over to the Hockenheim track is a mystery. It's like they short shifted the LFA or they didn't know how to launch it correctly, sort of like Autocar's 'fake' SLS beating the LFA vid.

05RollaXRS

I was just only describing my findings. I just compared the downforce and found out it is way too high compared to other cars in similar performance category.

TF109B

I understood you. I was just saying this article was pretty weak in my view. There's no way AutoZeitung can spank the SLS in their tests, but then the LFA loses to it on Hockenheim SHORT? The straights aren't even 500Meters. It's just inconsistent to see the LFA corner at close to 1.4G's around the ring, then over at the H-Short track it get's 1.3? Anything not to have it best other cars there it seems. (Namely R8, SLS, 458)

05RollaXRS

It is a 2600 meter (2.6 KM) track while Contidrom longer version was 3800 meters (3.8 KM). LFA was able to stretch its legs and rev all the way up to 9300 rpm on the straights where it gained the lead and then continued to pull away through turns.

I would suspect, the Hockenheim short suits cars with low end torque. That is my guess.

TF109B

The layout is some tight and gradual turns and some short straights. The LFA is said to be better than the SLS at this type of layout according to AutoZeitung. They claimed putting the power down was easier than in the SLS because it had too much torque. Which proves why having boatloads of torque isn't always a good thing. Turn in was better, everything about the LFA was better. Except top speed which SLS might have been a bit better with. I think it's just the guts the drivers had to take the LFA deep into the brake zone. I bet it stops better than the SLS. It takes a couple laps for the brakes to heat up.

gengar

That was my opinion as well, even with Graham Fotheringham (who did not have nearly as much time in the LFA as Pruett had) behind the wheel. I was blown away by the stability in corners, which was far superior to any other car I've ever driven or ridden in.

05RollaXRS

SportAuto called LFA a 'cruise missile' and a 'rocket' to 200 km/h.

From GermanCarForum:

This pretty much explains everything. Now I am so curious to find out how quickly LFA can hit high speeds with the spoiler retracted or spoiler angle altered for optimal acceleration.

05RollaXRS

Just found out Lotus is desperately attempting to convince Lexus to license the LFA 4.8 Liter V10 to them for the upcoming all-new Espirit.

Lexus please DON'T!!!!

Mister Two

Source please?

I really hope they don't either.

LexusMan77

Source: Insideline

http://www.insideline.com/lotus/lotu...v10-power.html

Lotus Esprit May Use Lexus LFA V10 Power
Published Aug 27, 2010
Just the Facts:
The more mainstream Esprit would be powered by a V8, also likely from Lexus.
Lotus is using the Esprit to move upmarket into Ferrari/Maserati territory.
Also debuting at Paris will be two new versions of the midengine Evora.

HETHEL, England — The next-generation Lotus Esprit supercar, details of which will be announced at the 2010 Paris Auto Show next month, could be powered by the 552-horsepower Lexus LFA V10, says a source close to the company.

That would be for the Esprit in its ultimate form — the more mainstream version would be offered with a V8, also likely to be sourced from Lexus. That engine will probably be a version of the 416-hp 5.0-liter engine fitted to the Lexus IS F sedan. When asked to confirm this possibility, a Lotus spokesman said that he "couldn't comment."

The Esprit is central to a planned shift upmarket for the British sports-car maker. This major new strategy is the brainchild of recently installed CEO Dany Bahar, who came from Ferrari. Details of this plan are also expected at Paris, but it would appear that Bahar and his new management team — which includes Bob Lutz in a consulting capacity — have concluded that Lotus is both underexploited as a brand and that the road to profitability, a condition rarely experienced at the company, is to build road cars with fatter profit margins in them. And that means building models pitched closer to Ferrari, Jaguar, Maserati and Porsche, among others.

This territory is not unknown to Lotus; the previous Esprit, killed off in 2004, competed at the bottom end of this segment. Its scope for competing further upscale was always limited by its fiberglass construction and uncertain build quality.

The new Esprit will be built to much higher standards than this, aided by the company's long-standing links with Toyota, with which it has had an excellent relationship spanning more than 25 years. Toyota supplies all of Lotus' engines and gearboxes and plenty of lesser components besides, so the sourcing of Lexus hardware should not be such a big jump. The new Esprit is expected to be central to Lotus's plans to raise its profile in the U.S. and other major markets around the world.

Also to be announced at the Paris show are two new versions of the Evora sports car: a 350-horsepower Evora S — the stock version produces 276 hp — and a paddle-shift six-speed auto. Called Intelligent Precision Shift, it's mated to the lower-powered version of the Toyota V6. Both versions are likely to be offered in the U.S.

Inside Line says: Lotus will face strong headwinds at these higher prices, Lexus powered or not, as another management team seeks to exploit its long underplayed potential. — Richard Bremner, Correspondent

Mister Two

Thanks.. I've seen this already though. When I asked 05RollaXRS about the source I was inquiring about the part where he says "Lotus is desperately attempting to convince Lexus". I don't quite see where he got the message that Lotus is desperate and thought maybe there was another article with more insights into this rumor.

05RollaXRS

Well, considering their past history (when they had to several times attempt to convince Toyota to license the 2ZZ engine) and Toyota turned them down everytime.

I could imagine an engine like this would cause even more aggressive campaigning.

Koma

iTrader: (3)

I'm confused, are you saying that Lotus was turned down for using the 2ZZ engine because from what I understood the 2ZZ is used in the Elise and Exige.