Lotus Testing Evora 414E Hybrid Concept
Lotus has begun testing of its Evora 414E range-extended hybrid concept, more than two years after its 2010 Geneva Motor Show debut. There is still no suggestion of a production future however, with the prototype being described as a technological
Lotus has begun testing of its Evora 414E range-extended hybrid concept, more than two years after its 2010 Geneva Motor Show debut.
There is still no suggestion of a production future however, with the prototype being described as a technological showcase for the Lotus Engineering subsidiary of the sports car maker.
This technology includes a range-extended hybrid drivetrain similar to that used in the upcoming Holden Volt.
The 414E drivetrain is comprised of a 1.3 litre three-cylinder flex-fuel engine used purely as a generator for the plug-in lithium-ion battery, which in turn delivers energy to two electric motors that drive the rear wheels.
Lotus claims that the prototype is capable of driving 48km on battery power alone, with a total range of over 483km with intervention from the range-extending engine.
The system’s total output of 305kW lists a claimed sub-five second 0-100km/h figure and a top speed of 208km/h.