Tag Archives: V8 engine

NEWS

Lotus Type 135: a 1,000+ hp V8 supercar, Esprit successor?

Lotus is reportedly developing a new supercar powered by a V8 engine, currently designated as the Type 135.

The last time Lotus utilized a V8 powerplant was in 2004, the same year production for the legendary Esprit officially ended.

The First Lotus Supercar

The Type 135 is slated to be Lotus’s first dedicated supercar and is expected to launch in 2028.

Within the current product hierarchy, the Type 135 will be positioned between the Emira sports car and the Evija hypercar.

This new model will feature a hybrid V8 configuration with an output exceeding 1,000 hp.

Mercedes-AMG or Toyota V8?

At this stage, Lotus has not released specific details regarding the engine supplier for the Type 135.

Currently, Lotus sources internal combustion engines for the Emira from two partners: Mercedes-AMG and Toyota.

Interestingly, both manufacturers are developing brand-new V8 powertrains set to debut officially this year.

The question remains: which will Lotus choose? A Mercedes-AMG V8 or a GR twin-turbo hybrid unit?

Not the First Lotus Hybrid

Technically, the Type 135 will not be the first hybrid vehicle produced by Lotus.

That title belongs to the Lotus Eletre PHEV, which is already available in the Chinese market with a total system output of 939 hp.

Will the Esprit Name Return?

A major point of speculation is whether the “Esprit” nameplate will be revived for this model.

From a heritage perspective, reviving the iconic name makes more sense than marketing it as an upgraded version of the Emira.

Furthermore, the design is said to draw inspiration from the Theory 1 concept introduced in September 2024.

The Future of the Emira

The Type 135 project is a core component of Lotus’s “Focus 2030” business plan.

In the near term, Lotus will also introduce an updated version of the Emira, featuring an enhanced engine and a weight-reduction program.

NEWS

Lotus Emira to receive V8 engine replacement for V6

The Lotus Emira is currently the only pure internal combustion sports car still offered by Lotus to its enthusiasts.

Before production of this model ends in 2027, Lotus is reportedly planning improvements to the model, particularly for the United States market.

According to recent reports from Autocar, Lotus is considering a V8 engine for the Emira.

Its CEO, Feng Qingfeng, stated that the brand is exploring the feasibility of a V8 engine to replace the currently used V6 engine.

The Lotus Emira is available with a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 sourced from Toyota, or a 2.0-liter engine from Mercedes-AMG.

Feng dismissed the idea of increasing the power of the existing V6 engine, citing that the Toyota engine is unable to meet the stricter Euro 7 standards.

Lotus previously planned to gradually phase out the V6 offering to make way for the AMG-powered model.

However, with strong demand for the six-cylinder model in the United States, Lotus is prompted to consider the proposal of installing a larger engine.

Lotus Europe CEO, Matt Windle, told Autocar, ““The US is an incredibly important market for us for the car. It always has been. So we’re looking at the market demand for the product going forward.”

He further explained that the company is exploring several options that could be implemented to ensure the full potential of the Emira can be realized, including possibly matching engines from existing suppliers—most likely Mercedes-AMG.

NEWS

Toyota Australia develops V8-powered GR Supra to race against Mustang, Camaro

Depending on the market, the Toyota GR Supra can be found with a choice of BMW engines, either a 2.0-liter inline-four cylinder engine (258 PS/400 Nm) or a 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder engine producing up to 387 PS/500 Nm of power.

However, for racing purposes, Toyota will sideline the German-made heart and prioritize a V8 engine to be fitted inside the GR Supra.

The V8-powered GR Supra race machine will compete in the Supercars Championship in Australia starting in 2026, with Toyota becoming the third manufacturer to join the competition against Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.

Reportedly, the V8-powered GR Supra race machine was internally developed by Toyota Australia in Altona to comply with the GEN3 Supercars Championship regulations.

The mentioned V8 engine already exists in high-performance Lexus vehicles such as the IS F, GS F, LC 500, and RC-F.

The naturally aspirated 5.0-liter aluminum heart (code 2UR-GSE) is capable of producing up to 481 PS/535 Nm of torque in the RC-F model, or 477 PS with a peak torque of 540 Nm in the LC 500 model.

Returning to the V8-powered GR Supra race machine, it will showcase the racing livery of the Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU) team and will be piloted by drivers Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood.

The WAU team previously raced under the Holden brand from 1987 to 2023, before switching to the Ford brand for three seasons, and will collaborate with Toyota starting in 2026.

Don’t celebrate too early, as this V8-powered GR Supra will only exist in racing form.

The road-going GR Supra will still continue with the inline-six cylinder engine offerings until its production ceases in the coming years.

However, before that, Toyota is reported to launch the Supra GRMN model with a retuned inline-six cylinder engine, a stiffer chassis, and improved aerodynamics.