Lotus concept creates a buzz
British sports car specialist proves ultra-green inner-city commuters aren't beyond its repertoireAston Martin recently raised eyebrows by announcing its left-field Cygnet city-car, and now its British compatriot Lotus has shown whatever Aston can do, it can do too.
Pictured here is a lightweight electric car concept penned by the Lotus Engineering boffins, and it's the result of a challenge issued by UK-based Automotive Engineer magazine.
The brief from Automotive Engineer to Lotus reads as follows: "Buyers are downsizing their vehicles and engines to save money and fuel. Purchases of city cars are on the rise. But how could you improve on the Smart ForTwo and Toyota iQ?"
This conundrum was presented to Lotus Design boss Russell Carr, and he was asked to sketch his ideas for the magazine.
It wasn't by any means a long, drawn out process as the Lotus brains trust had within a month conceived a detailed electric-car concept that could accommodate four passengers (or two with luggage) and offer a range of 50km. Top speed is quoted at 105km/h.
The drivetrain is simple: a single motor developing 30kW, a reduction gear and a button for forward and reverse. Solar panels on the roof help extend the range -- unless you happen to be in Iceland during the winter.
Clever, practical engineering abounds throughout the car, which has sliding doors (a la Peugeot 1007) and a driver's seat that slides/folds flat in order to improve rear-seat access.
The rear wheels are driven and all the electrical hardware is tucked under the passenger compartment to provide a low centre of gravity, as well as a commanding driving position.
The crash structure reportedly doubles as an air intake for the air-cooled batteries, and the basic architecture is said to be flexible enough to allow for a range of body styles.
"The idea is like the way Volkswagen got the camper van, the Karmann Ghia and the Type 4 sedan and estate all from the same piece of engineering," vehicle architect Richard Rackham told Automotive Engineering. "We wanted to make this thing a bit nippy and fun to get people into it."
The concept sketches reveal a fairly conventional looking baby hatchback, albeit with a well-resolved, thoroughly contemporary shape.
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