Lotus Evora 2+2
Well, it had to happen. Lotus is making an EV. Actually, it’s a plug-in hybrid much like the Chevy Volt.
After both Tesla and Chrysler chose the Elise and Europa, respectively, for their slot car-fast EVs, it only makes sense that the car company named after a flower would make its own “flower power” speedster.
GM is supplying the range-extending genset which makes sense as they they’ll be able to amortize it and drive the cost down.
Like the Volt, they are shooting for a 300 mile range with the first 40 miles all electric. Performance specs are not published as yet.
Looks like most of the battery EV makers are shooting for a 100-150 mile range, with Tesla shooting for over 200. The PHEV people are aiming at the 40 mile all electric range. Then there’s Toyota, with the plug-in Prius claiming maybe 20 mile AER.
You can see how the evolution to electric will happen. We will get affordable BEVs with a 100-150 mile range, perfect for commuting. And, for those who want long range and heavy capacity, they’ll gravitate to PHEVs.
Read about Lotus’s plans from Motor Trend’s Wide Open Throttle posting after the jump.
Here is the full text of the Motor Trend Wide Open Throttle posting (in case the link goes bad).
All Aboard the Bandwagon: Lotus Reportedly Planning Electric Car
Posted Today 01:05 PM by Carlos Lago
Category: Green, Industry News, Europe, Lotus, Geneva Motor Show, Lotus Elise, Coupes, Hybrid
Lotus, which made a splash in 2008 with its well-received Evora 2+2 (pictured), will produce a high-performance electric vehicle, according to a report in the Financial Times citing comments from Lotus chief executive Michael Kimberley. The move shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Lotus already supplies versions of its vehicles to automakers for use as electric cars.
Lotus assembles bodies for the Lotus-Elise based Tesla Roadster, and the Dodge ENVI concept is essentially a Lotus Europa with an all-electric powertrain. Kimberley told the FT that the Lotus effort will differ from the Telsa and ENVI in that it will utilize a gasoline engine hooked to a generator as a range extender — much like GM’s coming Chevrolet Volt and the Fisker Karma. The Karma is making its production debut at the rapidly-approaching 2009 Detroit auto show.
Kimberley also told FT that the company is working with a “major automotive manufacturer,” on the car’s range extender and related electric tech. It’s more than likely that the manufacturer in question is GM, which is supplying Fisker with its 260-hp, 2.0L turbocharged Ecotec four as the Karma’s range-extending engine. Both GM and Fisker say their cars will have an overall range of at least 300 miles, with 40 or so of those miles possible using power from a lithium-ion battery pack only.
Kimberley told the FT to expect the electric Lotus shortly. It’s possible a concept version of the car could be unveiled as early as this March at the 2009 Geneva motor show. Of course, we’ll bring you more on the new electric Lotus as it becomes available.
[Source: Motor Trend WOT, Financial Times]
One Comment
Hybrids and Range-extended cars are actually pseudo-electrics. The added mass for the fuel and engine is a heavy efficiency penalty.