Lotus, Toyota celebrate engine deal

Lotus CEO Dany Bahar presented Toyota president Akio Toyoda with a Lotus Elise this week at the British Embassy in Tokyo, celebrating the companies' long partnership.

The Elise was equipped with Toyota's last 2ZZ-GE VVTL-i engine, the same engine found in older versions of the Lotus Elise and Exige.

“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,” Bahar said in a statement.

Lotus and Toyota plan to continue their powertrain tie-up in the future.

“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,” Toyoda said.

By Brad Constant