Engine

I heard it will come with the Corolla's 1.8L four rated at 180 hp.

The US bound version that is.

The latest that I heard was a 150 HP Rover engine. Keep in mind that this car weighs only 1,800 pounds.

Brad

Yeh, Im pretty sure the UK version has the rover engine too...
Unless someone else can correct me. :p

Well i was looking at Lotus USA's website (there US headquarters just happens to be in my home state, Georgia) and they said they have not decided on the engine that will go in the Elise destined for the US yet, but that it will be at least 190 HP. That is straight from them.

I've heard of "track-use-only" versions with Honda's B18C Integra Type R engine (~195hp), and I've seen preview pics (link below) of a company trying to put in Honda's K20A and F20C1 engines (RSX and S2000 engines, respectively.)

http://www.sunspeed.com/pr_els01.html
http://www.prototyperacing.com/

Awesome car! :)

The Elise currently uses a mid-mounted Rover K Series DOHC 1800c 4 cylinder in various states of tune. This engine is currently fitted to a number of Rover vehicles and in particular mid-mounted in the MGF sportscar.

The Opel Speedster/Vauxhall VX220 which is marketed by Opel/Vauxhall which are European/British arms of General Motors is derived from the Lotus Elise tub.

This is powered by a slightly warmed over 2.2 litre GM ECOTEC DOHC 4 Cylinder. This is out of the front wheel drive European Vectra (which I think is sold as the L-Series in the US) but modified to fit the mid-mount installation in the Speedster/VX220.

I'd guess if the GM engine is available in an appropriate emissions tune then it would be easier for Lotus to make an arrangement as GM is buying the Speedster/VX220 as built-up cars from Lotus.

The latest I heard was it was going to be an engine from Toyota, the Celica engine that is and will be about 180+hp. Dunno what the exact stats will be though. But cant wait to see the beauty hit the shores here!