Hot Hybrid From Lotus

By John Vlahakis

Looking for that super charged hot rod high performance electric/hybrid car? Is that an oxymoron? Can you say high performance get up and go and electric/hybrid in one sentence? If you’re into Lotus 2 seat sports car performance then the answer is yes. Lotus is going to unveil a new hybrid powered vehicle called the Evora at the up coming Geneva Auto Show. The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid uses a newly developed series hybrid system, with an electric motor driving each rear wheel and a range extender internal combustion engine topping off the lithium polymer battery as needed. Similar to the upcoming series hybrid Chevy Volt, the Evora 414E Hybrid will be plug-in capable, so owners can charge the battery over night. On a full charge, the car can travel 35 miles before the range extender engine kicks in, giving it a full hybrid range of more than 300 miles. The Evora 414E Hybrid has a more sophisticated electric-drive system than the Tesla Roadster, which is built on a Lotus-designed chassis and body. Each rear wheel is powered by its own 152-kilowatt electric motor, with Lotus electronics providing torque vectoring to enhance handling. These electric motors individually create 295 pound-feet of torque, giving the Evora 414E Hybrid a zero to 60 mph time of less than 4 seconds. Unique to the Evora 414E Hybrid is a virtual seven-speed transmission actuated by paddle shifters. Each downshift engages a more aggressive regeneration mode for the drive motors, simulating the feel of downshifting a car with gears. To complete the experience, Lotus used audio technology from Harman International that simulates engine noise, and modulates its sound based on motor speed and virtual downshifts. The driver can select from four engine sound modes: a V-6 engine, V-12 engine, a futuristic sound, and a combination of internal combustion and futuristic sounds. Hybrid technology meets Hollywood sound effects. Pretty cool concept to give your motor heads the driving experience we all would want in this new electric/hybrid landscape.