Lotus is parlaying its role as a leader in the sports car
market into the hybrid car market. The first step toward accomplishing this
goal is the hybrid version of the Lotus Evora premiering at this week’s Geneva
Motor Show. The automaker is using the same body as the 2010 Evora with an
in-house hybrid drive system and some design tweaks. The Evora 414E Hybrid is a
demonstration of what green technologies Lotus will incorporate into future
models.
The Evora 414E sounds promising when looking at the
performance statistics cited by Lotus. This hybrid sports car hits 60 miles per
hour from a dead stop in four seconds. The 306kW hybrid drive system with a
17kWh lithium-polymer battery pack allows for 35 miles of all-electric driving.
Lotus also touts range-extending technologies like a 1.2-liter engine that
allows the Evora 414E to exceed 300 miles in combined range. The only metric
that seems to be missing from this presentation is miles per gallon, which
would be instructive in measuring the progress made by Lotus in hybrid
technologies.
Lotus highlights the prototype’s flex-fuel capabilities as
well as its electrical generator as reasons why this model is ideal for
eco-conscious consumers. This demonstration model is capable of operating on
gasoline along with ethanol and other alcohol-based fuels. The electric generator
is useful in turning excess energy from the engine and drive system into
electrical power to recharge the battery. Lotus also notes that the electric
generator is useful in starting the gas engine without using a single drop of
fuel.
This hybrid demonstration model keeps one foot in the
automaker’s traditionally sporty designs while venturing into the world of
green vehicles. Aside from the familiar Evora design, Lotus includes a virtual
gearshift simulator to allow drivers accustomed to manual transmissions to
shift gears seamlessly. This prototype also features four sound options for
drivers who like to hear engine noises as they drive. These noises range from a
traditional V6 engine to a V12 engine in order to make traditionalists feel at
home. The Evora 414E Hybrid looks cool and sounds great but without an estimate
of fuel mileage, it is difficult to see if this prototype is closer to a Prius
than a Bentley Supersport Convertible.
