All Aboard the Bandwagon: Lotus Reportedly Planning Electric Car

Lotus, Geneva Motor Show, Lotus Elise, Coupes, Hybrid

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

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

Geneva '08: Saab 9-X BioHybrid concept, ethanol, hybrid, solar and aero

Saab is giving the world a preview of their newest model with the 9-X BioHybrid that's debuting in Geneva this week. The new 9-X is a premium compact intended to compete against cars like the MINI. When this car does go on sale in the next couple of years the name will probably change to 9-1 in keeping with brands nomenclature where X typically describes an all wheel drive model and the second digit indicates the place in the size pecking order. As the concept's BioHybrid name implies, the little Saab carries forward the ethanol flex-fuel capability of most recent vehicles from the Swedish brand and adds hybrid functionality as well. The engine in the 9-X is a 1.4L turbo four cylinder that puts out 200hp. In a first for Saab, the engine is paired up with the next-generation GM Hybrid system which we'll have more about tomorrow. Efficiency is further enhanced by solar power and active aerodynamics. A photovoltaic panel embedded in the roof provides extra charging capability for the hybrid battery. Aerodynamics on small cars is always tricky as the airflow falls off the trailing edge of the roof. The 9-X tries to address this with active aerodynamics. A spoiler that wraps over the rearmost pillar and roof extends backwards when speeds get over 70km/h. The effect is further enhanced by a diffuser that comes out below the rear bumper. The two components increase the effective length of the car and help improve the airflow off the rear. The 9-X can accelerate from 0-100kph in 7.9 sec on E85 and 8.3 sec on gasoline. Carbon dioxide emissions come in at a low 105g/km on ethanol and 117g/km on gasoline. Fuel efficiency is 36.8mpg (US) on biofuels while each gallon of gasoline will take the 9-X 48 miles.

2010 Audi A5/S5 Cabriolet unveiled just in time for winter

The Audi A5 and its V8-powered S5 sibling are considered by many to be the most beautiful Audis ever created. For some time now it's been common knowledge that an open top variant of Audi's latest coupe was coming. We'll still have to wait until the Geneva Motor Show in March to see the A5 and S5 Cabriolets in the metal, but we now have details and photos of the pair. Fortunately, unlike so many other automakers, Audi has chosen to stick with a more traditional fabric top rather than an articulated metal contraption. The soft top is lighter than metal hard tops and Audi also keeps the bulk further under control with aluminum fenders. With the top folded, the trunk still has 11.3 cu-ft of usable space; try that with a retractable hard top. Europeans will get the usual array of gas and diesel engines in the drop top A5, but here in the U.S. we'll only be getting the 2.0L TFSI four-cylinder engine or the 3.2L FSI V6 that powers the A5 Coupe. The S5 is a different story. While the S5 coupe has a 4.2L V8 that it keeps until the end of the 2010 model year, the Cabriolet will immediately get the new supercharged 3.0L TFSI V6 that recently debuted in the new S4. The 333-hp V6 can be had with either the 6-speed manual or 7-speed S-Tronic dual clutch gearbox. The A5 and S5 Cabriolet go on sale here next fall, which is ironically just about when the open-air motoring season ends in many parts of the U.S.

Gallery: 2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet

Gallery: 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet

[Source: Audi]