The 2ZZ-GE in the Elise
Elise is coming to America with Toyota's Yamaha-designed 2ZZ-GE in 2004. This is the most recent in a series of Toyota performance engines created by Yamaha. As with the earlier Yamaha-designed Toyota 4A-GE which is the basis of Formula Atlantic racing engines, the 'G' designation of the 2ZZ-GE indicates a 50 degree included valve angle, which is a geometry selected for better breathing and higher performance than the flatter combustion chamber designs which promote lower emissions at the expense of power.
This new Yamaha/Toyota engine is equally advanced and competitive with the latest engines from Honda and others. Like Honda's recent iVTEC engines, the Yamaha/Toyota VVTL-i engines feature variable valve timing, lift, and phasing. The main benefit of this more flexible breathing is that the 2ZZ-GE has improved torque at low and medium rpms compared to prior engines with simpler variable valve timing. Increased low and midrange torque comes in addition to the improved power at high rpms which variable valve timing traditionally brings.
http://www.sandsmuseum.com/cars/elise/thecar/engine/toyota.html
