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Lotus, which made a splash in 2008 with its well-received Evora 2+2 (pictured), will produce a high-performance electric vehicle, according to a report in the Financial Times citing comments from Lotus chief executive Michael Kimberley. The move shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Lotus already supplies versions of its vehicles to automakers for use as electric cars.
Lotus assembles bodies for the Lotus-Elise based Tesla Roadster, and the Dodge ENVI concept is essentially a Lotus Europa with an all-electric powertrain. Kimberley told the FT that the Lotus effort will differ from the Telsa and ENVI in that it will utilize a gasoline engine hooked to a generator as a range extender -- much like GM's coming Chevrolet Volt and the Fisker Karma. The Karma is making its production debut at the rapidly-approaching 2009 Detroit auto show.
Kimberley also told FT that the company is working with a "major automotive manufacturer," on the car's range extender and related electric tech. It's more than likely that the manufacturer in question is GM, which is supplying Fisker with its 260-hp, 2.0L turbocharged Ecotec four as the Karma's range-extending engine. Both GM and Fisker say their cars will have an overall range of at least 300 miles, with 40 or so of those miles possible using power from a lithium-ion battery pack only.
Kimberley told the FT to expect the electric Lotus shortly. It's possible a concept version of the car could be unveiled as early as this March at the 2009 Geneva motor show. Of course, we'll bring you more on the new electric Lotus as it becomes available.
Source: Financial Times
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