Lotus Engineering: The Innovators #2 – six generations of precision control
- Control systems one of four key pillars of Lotus Engineering
- Lotus-developed engine control unit (ECU) debuted on legendary Esprit V8 engine
- 26 years of Lotus ECU development means sixth-generation unit is part of Emira tech spec
- Flexibility of controller generates demand from Lotus Engineering consultancy clients for ICE and EV use
- Proven tech with certification authorities enhances its appeal for low-volume hypercar programmes
Hethel, UK – 10 November 2022 Welcome to the second part in a series from Lotus Engineering, the consultancy division of performance car manufacturer Lotus. With regular updates over the coming months, the team will explain its portfolio of capabilities and key priorities as the automotive world moves to an all-electric future. It will also share how yesterday’s successes – some you might not be aware of – are inspiring the projects of today and tomorrow.
Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive consultancy services to many of the world's OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. It is internationally recognised for its long-standing contribution to ground-breaking engineering and innovative vehicle development.
The four core pillars of its expertise and its commercial offering are Platforms, Control Systems, Dynamics and Technical Services. The latter includes intelligent design, product concept development, attribute development, advanced engineering and even whole-vehicle manufacturing.
Lotus Engineering: The Innovators #1 explained the commercialisation of Platforms, and #2 looks at Control Systems.
In 1996 Lotus launched the Esprit V8 with an all-new and Lotus-developed engine, a V8 twin-turbocharged unit, designated 918, which produced in road-legal form 350 hp and 400 Nm. It was lightweight – just 220 kg with all ancillaries – and occupied less space when mid-mounted in the Esprit than the four-cylinder 2.2-litre engine that preceded it.
At the heart of this high-tech engine was a Lotus innovation; the development of its own engine management system which controlled fuel, ignition and emissions, and performed the required diagnostics. A true pioneer, it was one of the first engines in the world to be designed from the outset to comply with on-board diagnostics legislation in force at the time.
Five years later, and this Lotus know-how with engine control unit (ECU) design and software engineering ensured that the original Elise had a second generation – the Series 2, on sale from 2001. It came with a new and game-changing electronic box of tricks hidden in the engine bay, so innocuous that most owners never noticed it. At the time, the Lotus team couldn’t find the ECU they needed for the S2 from external suppliers, so continued the in-house development of the one from the Esprit. And it was further development of this controller, linked to the replacement of the Rover K-series engine with a Toyota unit, which helped the Elise meet US Federal requirements so it could be sold in North America for the first time, from 2005.
Andy Green is today Chief Engineer for Propulsions Systems within Lotus Engineering, but at the time was part of the Lotus Powertrain Group which worked on both the Esprit 918 engine and the Elise Series 2. “Because we designed and developed these ECUs they did exactly what we needed them to. They were perfectly suited for a low-volume application and also allowed us to develop our own software to control and calibrate them.”
Fast-forward to 2022 and the Lotus ECU is now in its sixth generation. It has been in continuous development ever since the Esprit, is part of the tech spec of the Lotus Emira and is still in demand from today’s Lotus Engineering clients.
Andy explained: “The great appeal for them is that it’s got all the on-board diagnostics and monitoring software, meaning it’s a proven ICE technology with the certification authorities and is compliant with the ISO 26262 functional safety standard. As an example, the Lotus ECU has been a critical feature on the supply of upgraded powertrains for the Toyota Yaris GRMN programme and enhanced the project’s speed-to-market.”
While the genesis of the Lotus ECU came via the Esprit, and its spiritual successor is part of the Emira, both ICE cars, the controller is flexible enough to be used in electric vehicles. Andy explained: “We know, and our clients know, that the future is electric, and the Lotus ECU has already been proven in numerous demonstration programmes for hybrid and pure electric vehicles that we’ve worked on.”
He added: “Clients recognise that the Lotus ECU is globally compliant, but they also appreciate the flexibility of the Lotus Engineering team in creating custom control systems in line with their specifications and requirements. It’s made the Lotus ECU a great fit for a number of production-spec hypercars, where the client requires a high technical complexity but only a small number of units.”
High-profile clients who have used the Lotus ECU include LTI for its hydrogen fuel cell taxi concept of 2012, Rolls-Royce for the 101EX grand tourer coupe prototype, and the XJ Limo Green and C-X75 concepts from Jaguar.
Lotus has been at the forefront of control systems for more than 40 years, as innovators in active suspension systems, active noise cancellation and augmentation, and active valve control.
Ends
Notes to Editors
For more information please contact the Lotus Communications team:
Rob Borrett, Head of Media and Launch Programmes
+44 (0) 7718 560789
Richard Yarrow, Head of News and Technology Communications
+44 (0) 7471 994525
Alastair Florance, PR Manager
+ 44 (0) 7802 918662
Diederik Reitsma, PR Manager, European Markets
diederik.reitsma@eu.lotuscars.com
+ 31 651 939 185
Samantha Thomas, PR Officer, Product Press and Digital Media
+44 (0) 7909 813785
The Lotus media site – https://media.lotuscars.com – contains news, images, specifications and full details of current models, as well as heritage cars and engineering technology.
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About Lotus
Lotus Cars is based in Hethel, Norfolk, UK, and is the global HQ for sports car and hypercar manufacturing operations, Lotus Advanced Performance and the iconic 2.2-mile test track. Lotus Cars builds world-class high-performance cars, born out of legendary success on the racetrack including 13 FIA Formula 1 world titles and many other championship honours. In July 2021 Lotus unveiled the all-new Lotus Emira, its last petrol-powered sports car and best-of-breed, and in July 2019 it launched the Evija, the world’s first all-electric British hypercar. Customer deliveries of both cars will begin during 2022. In March 2022 Lotus revealed the Eletre, the world’s first all-electric hyper-SUV. Customer deliveries will begin in 2023. The Lotus Type 135, an all-electric sports car, is currently being designed and engineered at Hethel.
Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive consultancy services to many of the world's OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. It is internationally recognised for its long-standing contribution to ground-breaking engineering and innovative vehicle development. Its expertise extends beyond automotive; in August 2021 a Lotus Engineering-developed track bike helped Team GB’s cyclists win seven medals, including three golds, at the Tokyo Olympics. An international consultancy with offices around the world, Lotus Engineering is headquartered at the Lotus Advanced Technology Centre on the University of Warwick’s Wellesbourne Campus in the UK.
Lotus Tech is an affiliate company of Group Lotus, established as part of the Vision80 strategy established in 2018. With operational assets across China, the UK and Europe, Lotus Tech is dedicated to delivering smart lifestyle battery electric vehicles (BEVs) such as the Eletre. Lotus Tech is focused on R&D in next-generation automobility technologies such as electrification, digitalisation and more. In addition to the Lotus Eletre, Lotus Tech plans to launch further BEV models including a sports sedan (Type 133) another SUV (Type 134) and more, as Vision80 reaches maturity in 2028.
Group Lotus is either the parent company of or affiliated with the above. In 2017, Geely Holding Group, one of the fastest growing automotive group in the world, acquired a 51% stake in Group Lotus. The other 49% is owned by Etika Automotive, a Malaysian conglomerate.