Does Lotus Use Honda Engines? (Read This First)

You’ve noticed that various automobile brands are going into partnerships to improve their car’s performance.

However, most of these companies collaborate by using each other’s motor parts, especially the vehicle’s heart, the engine! Similarly, do you think Letus uses Honda engines?

If you aren’t sure, then this article is for you!

Currently, Letus doesn’t use Honda engines for its car production, but these engines are the most utilized for the engine swap. Also, I’m sure the statement “built by Lotus, powered by Honda ” clearly paints a descriptive picture of both brands. Furthermore, a Honda engine conversion/swap has been tested and found suitable for various Lotus Elise and Exige series.

Did Lotus Ever Use Honda Engines?

Yes, Lotus used Honda engines at the Formula one competition. This event was in 1987 when some of the Lotus race cars came with Honda engines.

However, this wasn’t the only time the Lotus used Honda engines and hopefully won’t be the last. You can learn more if Kia Uses Honda Engines too?

Besides, Lotus manufactures fast vehicles ranging from sports cars to racing wheels and consequently requires powerful engines.

Therefore, the Honda engines have been confirmed worthy of fitting into top-speed automobile engine bays.

Also, the outstanding performance and reliability of Honda engines are why they are still in some Lotus sports cars.

Another situation where Lotus used a Honda engine was when the Exige got used for hill climb events.

No doubt, the 2nd and 3rd-generation Lotus Exige models had Toyota engines.

Notwithstanding, because this particular model was going to be a hill climb racing car, it featured a K24 Honda engine.

In addition, the engine has a supercharger. Nonetheless, even in a naturally aspirated form, the K24 engine produces over 200 hp in various Honda models.

So, this engine would double the output of the Exige if the pressure of air increases.

However, today, Lotus use this superb engine to replace factory parts or transform their cars into desirable machines.

Hopefully, you can also upgrade yours with the Honda engine conversion, which is compatible with almost all lotus automobiles.

For instance, the 2005 Lotus Elise is a prime example of a Honda engine swap; a 700-hp turbo Honda mill now powers the wheels.

Which Lotus Has a Honda Engine?

Before now, Lotus race cars came with Honda engines thanks to their lightweight and free-revving attributes.

But, presently, the Lotus Elise cars are mostly where these powerful technologies are. It may surprise you that the Lotus motors don’t come with Honda engines anymore.

Instead, their configuration is to your preference.

Having said this, I will mention some lotus vehicle that has a Honda engine. Although, some of these vehicles got their engine swapped after leaving the factory.

With this in mind, I hope all misunderstandings are clear. If yes, then let’s begin!

#1. Lotus 99T

Do you still remember formula 1? I guess you do! It may interest you to know that this was the car used for the competition.

It had a Honda R166 engine, which the Honda company manufactured. The turbocharged, 1.5-liter V-6 racing engine’s design was for the F1 in 1987.

#2. Lotus 100T

Likewise, competitors used this top-speed car during the 1988 F1 season. Its design was for Lotus, and this racing wheel was a better version of the 99T model.

Nevertheless, the motor’s power came from a Honda R168. On the other hand, the engine used in this vehicle was the same technology but with a few touches.

#3. Lotus Elise

Lotus Elise cars on their own don’t come with the Honda i-VTEC engines. I suppose you might have seen many of them with all sorts of Honda engines.

However, the thing is, the i-VTEC itself is a cutting-edge engine technology. 

For this reason, you probably would prefer the Lotus Elise to be built with them.

However, even at that, here are some lotus Elise series you may find with the Honda engines, the Lotus S1, S2, 111s, Sport 160/190, 111R, 340R.

#4. Lotus Exige

The Exige is a luxury sports car available in convertible versions and has two seats and doors.

It initially comes in a Toyota engine but can be powered by a supercharged Honda K24 engine. A Honda engine swap is suitable for all versions of the Exige S1, S2, and more.

What Engines Does Lotus Use?

Lotus uses Toyota engines and strictly depends on the company, Toyota Motors, to supply this essential component.

Nevertheless, the collaboration has been this way for some time, and the Lotus company is yet to exert any changes.

Although the Toyota engines are doing tremendously well in Lotus vehicles, they are the driving force of these vehicles.

In addition, Lotus has been using Toyota’s 1.8-liter inline-four engines found in most Celica, Matrix, Corolla, and more to power the Elise.

Also, Toyota engines like the 3.5-liter V6 have notably been a part of the Evora and Exige.

Notwithstanding, I’ll show you detailed powertrain specifications of a few modern Lotus Toyota engines.

From all I’ve said, I presume you can tell the engine of the recently launched 2021 Lotus Evora GT.

With that in mind, the engine produces 416 horsepower, and it comes with a standard transmission/gearbox.

The transmission is a six-speed manual that produces 317 lb-ft of torque. 

Also, the Evora GT is available as a six-speed automatic, producing 332 lb-ft of torque. But, away from that, let’s talk about the Emira engine.

This Lotus car will be the company’s last vehicle powered by a combustion engine.

However, Emira trims either come with a 2.0 L AMG M139 turbocharged or 3.5 L Toyota 2GR-FE supercharged V6. This excellent vehicle’s engine has a 6-speed manual transmission.

Furthermore, this automobile is also available as a 6-speed automatic and an 8-speed AMG speedshift 8G DCT.

Does Lotus Make Their Own Engines?

Unfortunately, Lotus doesn’t produce any engine that powers its motors.

But, for the record, this automobile company is working on manufacturing its very own powering mechanism.

Although in the meantime, most of the cars leaving the brand’s industry still feature the Lotus Toyota engine. 

However, Lotus will soon start producing its V6 and V8 engines. The firm’s delay in manufacturing the new Elan confirms this.

Also, a statement from Boss Danny Bahar, the CEO of Group Lotus, unveiled that the appearance of the four-seater car would be on hold for a while.

Therefore, the funds from the Lotus Elan’s development will now be used to produce a new modular engine family.

Nonetheless, this establishment could potentially include making an in-line four engine. But if this innovation doesn’t work, Lotus will continue to use a Toyota engine.

What Year Did Lotus start Using Toyota Engine?

Lotus commenced utilizing Toyota engines in 2004, and it has continued doing so to date.

On the other hand, the sports car company has been on a new project, and things could change soon.

Aside from that, Lotus’s parent company, Geely, intends to combine its internal-combustion engine development with Volvo.

Geely’s internal-combustion and hybrid powertrains are undergoing development for all its brands, including Lotus.

However, the automaker has not yet revealed when its Toyota engine supply agreement will end.

Therefore, for this reason, Lotus cars may likely stick with Toyota power, but its upcoming Evija hypercar might be an exception.

Conclusion

The British automotive company Lotus officially doesn’t use Honda engines in making its cars. However, it once did.

Nonetheless, today, Toyota engines are now the driving force under the bonnet of most Lotus vehicles.

But, if you feel the Toyota engine isn’t powering the Lotus to your taste, you can always get it swapped for a Honda engine.