[scottf200]

Lotus hybrid sports car like Chevrolet Volt -- sort of
By James R. Healey, USA TODAY

Lotus, once a maker of gorgeous sports cars and now mainly an engineering technology company that also builds cars, has its own prototype extended-range hybrid, to show off the company's tech portfolio.

The Lotus Evora 414E runs via battery-power electric motors and is undergoing on-road testing ahead of schedule, Lotus says.

Like the Chevrolet Volt extended-range hybrid, the Lotus prototype has an internal-combustion engine charging system aboard, so you don't have to worry about the batteries running down when there's no place to plug in.

Lotus says the Evora 414E is a no-compromise high-performance machine. The maker claims 408 horsepower and a remarkable 738 pounds-feet of torque from

The electric motors. Standstill to 60 mph: 4 seconds, Lotus says, which is getting into the rocket-like arena of a fast motorcycle. Top speed is given as 130 mph.

The engine is a three-cylinder that will run on either gasoline or alcohol fuels. As in the Chevy system, it drives a generator to keep the batteries juiced, but the Lotus alsocan drive the car directly. The Volt engine drives the car directly only under a rare set of circumstances.

Lotus supplies the bodies used by electric-car maker Tesla for its battery-driven sports car.

 

[scottf200]

Another story about this:
http://insideevs.com/lotus-evora-414e-currently-in-testing-phase/

<snip>
“The surge of torque is like an ocean wave,” proclaimed the Principal Vehicle Dynamics Test and Development Engineer at Lotus Simon Corbett. Talking about the 738 pound feet of torque offered in the 414E, the capability of such a light wieght car to have this much power is astounding. To put this in prospect, the standard Lotus Evora has only 250 pound feet of torque.

Inside you will find elegant touches including dual leather sport seats, an alcantara head liner, and a racing inspired, flat bottom steering wheel. Currently, the Lotus Evora 414E is a two tone black and orange combination that has great eye appeal.

 

[Dutch]

Wow, a Tesla Roadster, four years too late.

 

[Fabulist]

Another story about this:
http://insideevs.com/lotus-evora-414e-currently-in-testing-phase/

<snip>
“The surge of torque is like an ocean wave,” proclaimed the Principal Vehicle Dynamics Test and Development Engineer at Lotus Simon Corbett. Talking about the 738 pound feet of torque offered in the 414E, the capability of such a light wieght car to have this much power is astounding. To put this in prospect, the standard Lotus Evora has only 250 pound feet of torque.

Inside you will find elegant touches including dual leather sport seats, an alcantara head liner, and a racing inspired, flat bottom steering wheel. Currently, the Lotus Evora 414E is a two tone black and orange combination that has great eye appeal.

It may also be possible that Lotus is primarily interested in promoting its 3-Cylinder ICE as a compact and efficient power source for other EVERs.

 

[doug]

As an engineering prototype, I'll give it a pass, but this is a mess.