Tech | March 10, 2010 | 0 comments

Lotus Takes a Page Out of Tesla's Playbook

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the British sports car builder unveils its first hybrid, the Evora 414E..


http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1132813

Lotus has been hinting at its hybrid developments for a while, but hadn't gone public until now. The electrifying Evora 414E Hybrid is another example of how the Geneva Motor Show marked the moment that hybrid and electric cars suddenly got sexy, with everyone from Honda to Porsche to Ferrari out to prove that eco-friendliness and driving pleasure needn't be mutually exclusive.

The solution chosen by Lotus for the Evora 414E uses a "series hybrid" design in which a separate gasoline engine works exclusively as an onboard generator. The innovative 48-horsepower engine has been designed purely for this purpose and is notably small and light.

The two electric motors combine to generate 414 horsepower and propel the vehicle from zero to 62 mph in less than four seconds, with a range of more than 300 miles.

A motor in each wheel and a simulated 7-speed "gearbox" boost driver involvement, while HALOsonic "sound contouring" alerts pedestrians to the Evora's presence.
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