Lotus Evora ("Eagle" 2+2)

[dpeilow]

Geneva Preview: Lotus formally introduces Evora 414E Hybrid - Autoblog

Lotus has just formally introduced a new 400-plus horsepower sportscar concept. That news in and of itself would be enough to pique our interest, but the rest of the car's spec sheet makes the Evora 414E Hybrid an astonishingly intriguing concept vehicle. As you surely surmised by now, this two-seat sportster is a hybrid, specifically an extended-range electric vehicle that features a pair of rear-mounted electric motors and a 1.2-liter three-cylinder gas-powered engine. Why not fully electric? According to Lotus:

With regard to the total lifetime CO2 emissions of the vehicle, including the energy required to manufacture and run it, the range extender solution has a lower overall CO2 footprint than a fully electric car of comparable performance and operating range running with a larger battery.

That 47-horsepower gasoline engine never actually sends power directly to the Evora 414E Hybrid's wheels. Instead – as with other cars such as the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and the Fisker Karma – the mill is used to recharge the onboard 17 kilowatt-hour lithium polymer battery pack, which is centrally mounted down the middle of the car for optimal weight distribution. That battery pack can provide up to 35 miles of gasoline-free driving per full charge.

Here's a direct link to the Lotus press release.


It's interesting that the press release mentions the battery can supply 100 kW. No mention of whether this is sustained or peak discharge - but maybe they do have a buffer as the motors total 304 kW.

Also interesting to see vfx's copper make another appearance. :smile:

 

[vfx]

Also interesting to see vfx's copper make another appearance. :smile:

It's perfect for a car that's electric!

 

[TEG]

Nice! I think we have been hearing rumors surrounding this for a while now.

But, productions plans? Price? They say the gas engine was optimized for low production costs which suggests that this is intended for production with some sort of volume price target. (In other words this isn't just a throw away show car).

 

[dpeilow]

The same engine is also being shown in a Proton (Lotus' parent company) concept: Proton Hybrid Concept: 2010 Geneva Auto Show

I'd say this is the real reason for the low cost.

We've had previous discussion that the Volt range extender might be under powered. I'm pretty sure this would be for the Evora.

 

[TEG]

Lotus Evora Carbon Concept Car

 

[doug]

First Drive: 2010 Lotus Evora delivers performance, civility and little concession - autoblog.com

 

[vfx]

Does anyone know if Tesla has hire Lotus again for the Model S? Mny car companies for in secret and of course the Roadster has never hidden the Lotus DNA (in fact brags about it).

The handling description in this review has me begging for Tesla to re-team with Lotus again on the Model S (and especially for the next gen roadster)

There is no shame and all the for asking for help here.

At minimum Tesla should buy a few of these to reverse engineer.

 

[dpeilow]

I remember hearing that at least half the cars on the road in Europe have some kind of Lotus involvement through their consultancy work. So right, no shame.

 

[dpeilow]

Lotus Evora hybrid:






Unfortunately they are not going to produce it.

 

[vfx]

Bring it to AC Propulsion!

 

[TEG]

Lotus Evora hybrid...

Unfortunately they are not going to produce it.

Why not?

 

[dpeilow]

Because the drivetrain will really power this...

Lotus' New MINI rival revealed

In a similar vein to Vauxhall’s Ampera, it has a bank of batteries under the floor and an electric motor on the back axle, driving the rear wheels. Sandwiched between is a fuel tank which supplies a Lotus-designed 50bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder range-extender engine in the front.

Electric power alone is expected to last for 30 miles – plenty for the average commute – effectively making this a zero-emissions vehicle for certain users.

A full charge should take around three hours from a 240V socket. But when greater distances need to be covered, the three-cylinder combustion engine kicks in and keeps the batteries topped up via a generator.

 

[TEG]

Lotus Evora Enduro

Auto Channel: Lotus Evora Enduro GT Concept

 

[benji4]

I saw an Evora parked next to a Roadster yesterday, it was a very beautiful car (darn, wish I'd remembered to get a pic of that!)

 

[suxxer]

Speaking of the Evora...well...

 

[vfx]

Speaking of the Evora...well...../QUOTE]
Ripoff!

 

[dsm363]

Didn't Tesla hire the Lotus design team originally to design the 2008 Roadster?

 

[vfx]

No. It was a design competition. The winner was chosen and Barney Hatt won. He had worked with Lotus.
The Elise/Exige insectoid look was radical design. The Roadster is classy. Lotus realized they needed that to sell a four seater.

 

[dsm363]

No. It was a design competition. The winner was chosen and Barney Hatt won. He had worked with Lotus.
The Elise/Exige insectoid look was radical design. The Roadster is classy. Lotus realized they needed that to sell a four seater.

Thanks. Didn't know that. Definitely like the Roadster better but the Evora doesn't look bad either.

 

[vfx]

Thanks. Didn't know that. Definitely like the Roadster better but the Evora doesn't look bad either.

I love the Evora. If it was Electric, it would be a dream car.