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Lotus Exige 270E Tri-Fuel, Chinese Market Debut?

The Chinese newly-gained power in the automotive sector has spread to high-performance auto manufacturers as well. According to a report by lothusenthusiast.com, the Chinese partner of the British builder, Young Man Auto, is pressuring Lotus to introduce the Exige 270E Tri-Fuel to the Chinese market.

The Exige 270e Tri-Fuel is still in the shape of a concept. Introduced last year at the Geneva Auto Show, the car is built to run on any mixture of gasoline, bioethanol and methanol. This doesn't mean it lacks the punch. According to the manufacturer, the 270E reaches 60 mph in 3.88 seconds and tops at 158 mph (255 km/h). Regardless of the fuel used, the 1.8l supercharged 2ZZ-GE VVTL-i engine develops 270 horsepower.

The engine, the real masterpiece behind the 270E, has two cam profiles – a high speed cam and a low speed cam. The switch points between the cams is variable, allowing it to provide a "smooth and linear surge of power from idle speeds all the way to the maximum 8500 rpm." It is fitted with six fuel injectors, to allow for more fuel flow at all speeds and loads.

Upon its unveiling in 2008, the Exige 270E Tri-Fuel was considered by Lotus "the forefather of a new generation of conventionally driven cars that have the potential to be environmentally-neutral."

That statement may come true sooner than expected, as the Chinese really want it. Their desire is supported by the fact that, after becoming the largest producer and consumer of methanol in the world in 2007, nearly one billion gallons of bioethanol were mixed with gasoline in China, as autoblog reports. In addition, many fueling stations across the country provide customers with methanol fuel.
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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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