Lotus Announces New Custom Engine Partnership With Toyota

For years Lotus has relied on Toyota engines to power its incredible sports cars. Tuned by Lotus engineers, powerplants like the 1.8-liter 2ZZ came alive in lightweight Lotus vehicles, while Toyota’s reputation for quality, reliability and durability meant that owners never had to worry about how many miles they put on their car or how hard they beat on them.

Today Lotus and Toyota announced a future partnership that will see the Japanese auto giant produce “tailor-made powertrain solutions” for Lotus vehicles in the future.

The announcement was bade the the British embassy in Tokyo where Lotus CEO Dany Bahar presented Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda with the very last Toyota 2ZZ-GE-powered Lotus Elise to ever be built.

“The presentation of Toyota’s last 2ZZ engine in the Elise is a symbolic gesture of our continued respect and deep appreciation for our partner not only acknowledging our past but also looking forward to our future together,” said Bahar.

More details of the continued partnership between the two automakers will be announced at the Paris Auto Show on September 30th.

Official release after the jump:

PRESS RELEASE

Lotus to take relationship with Toyota
to new level

Gift of Special Elise Marks Lotus-Toyota Ties

Lotus commemorated their successful relationship with Toyota today (17th September) at a celebration at the British Embassy in Tokyo where Lotus CEO Dany Bahar presented Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda with a specially equipped Lotus Elise powered by the last ever Toyota 2ZZ-GE VVTL-i engine. The occasion marked the end of an era and the start of an even stronger relationship between the two companies.

As part of the celebration, Lotus CEO Dany Bahar said: “The presentation of Toyota’s last 2ZZ engine in the Elise is a symbolic gesture of our continued respect and deep appreciation for our partner not only acknowledging our past but also looking forward to our future together.”

Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda responded: “A Toyota engine in a Lotus car creates a completely unique drive feeling – a special blend featuring the best of Lotus and Toyota that we hope many car lovers continue to experience and enjoy.”

Based on the successful cooperation with Toyota so far, Lotus has decided to take the relationship with Toyota to a new level that will enable Lotus to create tailor-made powertrain solutions for future Lotus cars.

For more details on exactly how Lotus will be partnering with Toyota in the future, simply look to the Lotus global unveiling at the Paris Motor Show on September 30th where Lotus will showcase their new line up to the world’s media. The eagerly anticipated event marks the dawn of a new era for Lotus and will highlight exactly why both companies are so proud of their relationship.