Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com Autoblog Green http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[Lotus now offering the Evora chassis to other automakers]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/28/lotus-now-offering-the-evora-chassis-to-other-automakers/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/28/lotus-now-offering-the-evora-chassis-to-other-automakers/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/28/lotus-now-offering-the-evora-chassis-to-other-automakers/#commentsFiled under: ,



Back in the 90s, shortly after Lotus introduced the original Elise, the company made it known that platform was designed to be easily adapted to different applications including different powertrains. Any companies that were interested in a platform for a niche products using its own powertrains were welcome to use the Elise underpinnings. Over the years, it spawned several race and concept cars as well as the Opel GT, Vauxhall VX220 and, of course, the Tesla Roadster.

Now that Lotus finally has its first all-new car in 14 years, the Evora, and several hundred have been delivered to customers, the same offer is again on the table. In fact, this time the presentation from Lotus Engineering even shows the Evora chassis carrying an electric powertrain. The versatile vehicle architecture is made largely from aluminum extrusions which can be cut off in different lengths, allowing the chassis to readily be adjusted for length and width as needed. To date no company that we're aware of has adopted the Evora platform. However, given the comparative success of Tesla in using the Elise as a starting point and the increased size of the Evora, it should do even better for potential customers. The full presentation is after the jump.

[Source: LotusEnthusiast]

Continue reading Lotus now offering the Evora chassis to other automakers

Lotus now offering the Evora chassis to other automakers originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>evoraLotusLotus Evoralotus evora chassislotus versatile vehicle architecturelotus vvaLotusEvoraLotusEvoraChassisLotusVersatileVehicleArchitectureLotusVvaWed, 28 Oct 2009 11:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Sneak peek of Jaguar's 'Limo Green' series hybrid concept]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/11/sneak-peek-of-jaguars-limo-green-series-hybrid-concept/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/11/sneak-peek-of-jaguars-limo-green-series-hybrid-concept/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/11/sneak-peek-of-jaguars-limo-green-series-hybrid-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

For the past year Jaguar, Lotus, Caparo Vehicle technologies and the MIRA proving ground have been working on a UK government funded project dubbed Limo-Green. The goal of the project was to develop and build a series hybrid luxury sedan. Earlier this week, Jaguar showed off the car for the first time. Most of the powertrain development work was done using a last-generation XJ but recently all the hardware was moved into the just-launched 2010 XJ.

Like the Chevy Volt and the Fisker Karma, the Limo-Green uses an electric motor for propulsion, in this case a 145 kW, 295 lb-ft unit. A lithium battery pack moves the car for 30 miles on a charge and then the Lotus-developed 1.2-liter range extender takes over for the remainder of the 600-mile range. We've contacted Jaguar for more information, but we're still waiting to hear back from them. In the meantime, AutoCar is reporting that the big Jag gets 47 mpg (U.S.) on the EU combined cycle with CO2 emissions under 120 g/km.

[Source: AutoCar]

Sneak peek of Jaguar's 'Limo Green' series hybrid concept originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>er-evextended range electric vehicleextended range vehicleExtendedRangeElectricVehicleExtendedRangeVehiclejaguarjaguar limo-greenjaguar xjJaguarLimo-greenJaguarXjlimo-greenlotusFri, 11 Sep 2009 10:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Lotus announces Elise Club Racer, 31 mpg sports car]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/lotus-announces-elise-club-racer-31-mpg-sports-car/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/lotus-announces-elise-club-racer-31-mpg-sports-car/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/lotus-announces-elise-club-racer-31-mpg-sports-car/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Lotus Elise Club Racer - click above for a high res image gallery

One of the upsides of Colin Chapman's philosophy of "adding lightness" is that Lotus sports cars are typically very efficient relative to their performance levels. Such is the case with the Elise, which is one of the lightest cars on the market today. At the Frankfurt Motor Show next week, Lotus will release a new Club Racer special edition of the Elise. The Club Racer gets the base 134 hp four cylinder engine offered in Europe along with some reduced-weight components.

The Club Racer gets lighter weight wheels than the standard Elise along with special micro-fiber padding on the seats. With only 134 hp, the sub-2,000 pound roadster gets to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds. Along the way, the Elise is rated at 30.9 mpg (U.S.) on the EU combined driving cycle. Even the more powerful 180 hp Elise sold in the U.S. is rated at 21/27 mpg by the EPA, making it one of the most efficient sports cars available.

Gallery: Lotus Elise Club Racer


[Source: Lotus]

Continue reading Lotus announces Elise Club Racer, 31 mpg sports car

Lotus announces Elise Club Racer, 31 mpg sports car originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>frankfurtfrankfurt 2009frankfurt auto showfrankfurt motor showfrankfurt2009FrankfurtAutoShowFrankfurtMotorShowlotuslotus eliselotus elise club racerLotusEliseLotusEliseClubRacerTue, 08 Sep 2009 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Frankfurt Preview: Lotus develops a range extender engine]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/frankfurt-preview-lotus-develops-a-range-extender-engine/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/frankfurt-preview-lotus-develops-a-range-extender-engine/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/frankfurt-preview-lotus-develops-a-range-extender-engine/#commentsFiled under: ,



The latest product of Lotus Engineering's ongoing development work on alternative drivetrains is a new engine custom designed for use as a range extender in electric drive vehicles. The engineers at Lotus have developed an optimized architecture using a mono-block layout that combines the cylinder head, exhaust manifold and cylinder block into a single casting. Such an architecture allows for lower weight and reduced cost which is critical to making range extended EVs or series hybrids economically viable.

Because the engine in these applications is primarily designed to provide a flow of electricity to the motor and battery with the battery providing transient power needs, the range extender can be optimized for operation under certain specific conditions. That's exactly what Lotus has done, setting up this engine to generate 20 or 47 hp at 1,500 rpm or 3,500 rpm. The engine only weighs 124 lbs and features a two valve per cylinder configuration with port fuel injection keeping the cost down. Lotus created this engine as part of the Limo-Green project it has been working on with Jaguar, MIRA and Caparo.

[Source: Lotus]

Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: Lotus develops a range extender engine

Frankfurt Preview: Lotus develops a range extender engine originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lotuslotus range extenderLotusRangeExtenderrange extendedrange extended electric vehiclerange extended hybrid electric vehicle rehevrange extenderRangeExtendedRangeExtendedElectricVehicleRangeExtendedHybridElectricVehicleRehevRangeExtenderTue, 08 Sep 2009 09:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Automotive Engineer commissions Lotus to design tiny city EV [w/VIDEO]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/18/automotive-engineer-commissions-lotus-to-design-tiny-city-ev-w/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/18/automotive-engineer-commissions-lotus-to-design-tiny-city-ev-w/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/18/automotive-engineer-commissions-lotus-to-design-tiny-city-ev-w/#commentsFiled under: ,


Lotus city car design - click above to watch the videos after the jump

Developing cars quickly is nothing new to the designers and engineers at Lotus in England. They do contract development for automakers around the world all the time. With that in mind - and knowing that Lotus has been actively involved in many electric and hybrid vehicle projects in recent years - the editors at Automotive Engineer magazine naturally approached them with a project idea: design a brief on what a new city car might look like five years from now.

After two weeks of work, Lotus design chief Russell Carr produced a design brief that defined a car 3.74 inches shorter than a Smart ForTwo and nearly 16 inches shorter than the new Toyota iQ. Somehow in that tiny space, Carr has managed to squeeze in space for four adults. The sketches show two different iterations of the vehicle, both with two sliding doors on the flanks. All are electrically-driven with a liquid-cooled 37 kW motor and a 10 kWh lithium ion battery pack under the floor. See more in the video after the jump.

[Source: Automotive Engineer]

Continue reading Automotive Engineer commissions Lotus to design tiny city EV [w/VIDEO]

Automotive Engineer commissions Lotus to design tiny city EV [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 18 Jul 2009 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automotive engineerAutomotiveEngineerelectric carelectric carselectric vehicleElectricCarElectricCarselectricityElectricVehicleevlotusSat, 18 Jul 2009 19:04:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Dodge Circuit DOA? Not according to Chrysler]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/09/report-dodge-circuit-doa-not-according-to-chrysler/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/09/report-dodge-circuit-doa-not-according-to-chrysler/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/09/report-dodge-circuit-doa-not-according-to-chrysler/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Dodge Circuit EV concept - Click above for a high-res gallery

In a report primarily focused on future product plans for British sports car maker Lotus, AutoCar happens to mention at the end the Dodge Circuit program has been killed as a result of the current financial crisis. The Circuit is the electric sports car first unveiled by Chrysler last fall and is based on the Lotus Europa.

Last November at the LA Auto Show, Lotus Engineering director, Roger Becker acknowledged that the British company was negotiating with Chrysler to build the Circuit. Chrysler meanwhile has committed to building an electric car beginning in 2010 although it has not said which of the five EV prototypes it has has shown will be first to market. Most observers have expected the Circuit to be the first out of the gate. Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa told ABG that in spite of the current bankruptcy filing "there has been no change to the product plan." Chrylser ENVI president Lou Rhodes remains "jazzed" about the EV development program.

Rhodes told us in a recent interview that there are five Circuit prototypes running in the US with more in Europe, which points to that being the first car. While Cappa wouldn't absolutely confirm the status of the Circuit he did reiterate that EVs were coming starting next year and further announcements were pending. With Fiat set to take control of Chrysler if it emerges from bankruptcy, anything is possible, but for now, the Circuit still seems the most likely candidate for 2010 production.


Gallery: Dodge Circuit EV


[Source: Autocar]

REPORT: Dodge Circuit DOA? Not according to Chrysler originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 09 May 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dodge circuitdodge circuit conceptdodge circuit evDodgeCircuitDodgeCircuitConceptDodgeCircuitEvlotus europaLotusEuropaSat, 09 May 2009 10:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Lotus Exige 270E Tri-Fuel to enter production?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/06/lotus-exige-270e-tri-fuel-to-enter-production/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/06/lotus-exige-270e-tri-fuel-to-enter-production/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/06/lotus-exige-270e-tri-fuel-to-enter-production/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Lotus Exige 270E Tri-Fuel - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Could the Lotus Exige 270E Tri-Fuel enter production? According to a post on Lotus Enthusiast, that's an entirely real possibility due to interest from Youngman Auto, which is the British automaker's Chinese partner. It seems that the Tri-Fuel was a bit hit at the recent Shanghai Motor Show, leading Youngman to submit a formal application to Lotus requesting that the car be built for the Chinese market in the hopes that sales could begin sometime before the end of the year.

First unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show back in 2008, The Lotus Exige 270E Tri-Fuel is capable of running on gasoline, ethanol or methanol. In 2007, China became both the world's largest producer and consumer of methanol fuel. Last year, nearly one billion gallons of methanol were blended with gasoline in China, and many retail pumps offer various blends of methanol to consumers. Thanks for the tip, Taylor!

Gallery: Lotus Exige 270E Tri-Fuel


[Source: Lotus Enthusiast]

Lotus Exige 270E Tri-Fuel to enter production? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 06 May 2009 08:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinalotuslotus exigelotus exige 270elotus exige 270e tri fuellotus exige 270e tri-fuellotus exige tri-fuelLotusExigeLotusExige270eLotusExige270eTri-fuelLotusExige270eTriFuelLotusExigeTri-fuelmethanolmethanol chinaMethanolChinayoungmanyoungman autoyoungman automotive groupYoungmanAutoYoungmanAutomotiveGroupWed, 06 May 2009 08:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Lotus and Harmon partner up to add sound to hybrids]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/lotus-and-harmon-partner-up-to-add-sound-to-hybrids/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/lotus-and-harmon-partner-up-to-add-sound-to-hybrids/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/lotus-and-harmon-partner-up-to-add-sound-to-hybrids/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



It's been a little while since we've heard about the supposed dangers of electric and hybrid vehicles that shut down their engines and therefore stop producing the sound of fuel being ignited and exhaled, but the issue is apparently alive and well. Lotus Engineering and Harmon International, two heavyweights in their respective industries, have teamed up to create a new technology known as Electronic Sound Synthesis (ESS).

Basically, the external ESS is a system that produces artificial vehicle noise. This is supposed to help pedestrians recognize the sound of an oncoming vehicle, even if it's not making any noise. For drivers that just can't do without the sound of internal combustion, a separate system inside the car can pipe in a new soundtrack that's meant to mimic the rising and falling sounds of an engine.

More data needs to be gathered before we truly understand whether the lack of a running engine makes a difference in pedestrian safety. Until then, we can always program the ESS to make what Lotus refers to as "more futuristic sounds for electric vehicles [that] can be created using sampled sounds and generated waveforms." Alternatively, may we suggest the sound of the neighborhood ice cream truck? We always seem to hear that one coming from a mile away.

[Source: Lotus]

Continue reading Lotus and Harmon partner up to add sound to hybrids

Lotus and Harmon partner up to add sound to hybrids originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>active noise controlActiveNoiseControlelectronic sound synthesisElectronicSoundSynthesishybrid noisehybrid soundHybridNoiseHybridSoundnoise controlNoiseControlquiet hybridquiet hybridsQuietHybridQuietHybridsFri, 17 Apr 2009 14:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Lotus announces new, cleaner and more efficient Elise and Exige ]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/16/lotus-announces-new-cleaner-and-more-efficient-elise-and-exige/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/16/lotus-announces-new-cleaner-and-more-efficient-elise-and-exige/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/16/lotus-announces-new-cleaner-and-more-efficient-elise-and-exige/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


2010 Lotus Exige S - Click above for a high-res gallery

Earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show, Lotus released the newest version of the lightweight Exige S. At the time, the UK-based automaker highlighted the fact that the new model was both faster and more fuel efficient than its predecessor. About a month and a half has passed since then, and Lotus has now released the fuel efficiency and emissions statistics of the rest of the Elise and Exige line.

The most impressive performer may be the base model Elise S, which uses a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine sourced from Toyota. According to Lotus, the 2010 Elise S can scoot to 60 miles per hour in just 5.7 seconds, though driving at a less frenetic pace will net you about 31 miles per gallon (37 mpg in the UK) on the European combined cycle; that's a nine percent improvement over the previous model.

While at first blush these figures don't seem to matter all that much - the Elise and Exige are performance cars first and foremost - a comparison between the cars from Lotus and competing sportscars from the likes of Ferrari, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz puts the Exige and Elise's impressive figures in a much better light. Further, Lotus' lightweight know-how means its platforms are popular choices for EV conversions. See the full press release after the break.

Gallery: 2010 Lotus Exige S


[Source: Lotus]

Continue reading Lotus announces new, cleaner and more efficient Elise and Exige

Lotus announces new, cleaner and more efficient Elise and Exige originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lotuslotus eliselotus elise slotus exigelotus exige sLotusEliseLotusEliseSLotusExigeLotusExigeSThu, 16 Apr 2009 13:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva 2009: Lotus touts efficiency of new 2010 Exige S]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/03/04/geneva-2009-lotus-touts-efficiency-of-new-2010-exige-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/03/04/geneva-2009-lotus-touts-efficiency-of-new-2010-exige-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/03/04/geneva-2009-lotus-touts-efficiency-of-new-2010-exige-s/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Lotus Exige S

"The same technology that makes a lightweight car a high performer also makes it efficient - how many cars have performance figures of 0 - 100 km/h in 4.77 secs but produce only 199 g/km CO2?" That question was posed by Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive of Group Lotus plc, and he's got a point. As part of its ongoing quest to shave weight, Lotus has blessed us with what are undoubtedly the most efficient fossil fuel-burning sportscars the world has ever seen. Of course, Lotus vehicles have also proven rather adept at accepting EV conversions for this same reason.

For the 2010 model year, Lotus has upped the ante yet again by incrementally improving the aerodynamics of its Exige S, nudging up the fuel efficiency and lowering the carbon emissions in the process. A revised fascia lets more air in to cool the radiator and twin oil coolers and a new rear wing reduces drag and still puts down 42 kilograms (93 pounds) of downforce at 160 km/h (about 100 mph). Add it all up, and the new Exige S emits 199 g/km CO2 and achieves European Combined Cycle ratings of 8.5 litres/100 km (33.2 mpg). Read the full press release after the break.

Gallery: 2010 Lotus Exige S


[Source: Lotus]

Continue reading Geneva 2009: Lotus touts efficiency of new 2010 Exige S

Geneva 2009: Lotus touts efficiency of new 2010 Exige S originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 lotus exige s2010LotusExigeSgenevageneva 2009geneva motor showGeneva2009GenevaMotorShowlotuslotus exigelotus exige sLotusExigeLotusExigeSWed, 04 Mar 2009 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva Preview: Lotus to unveil Omnivore concept engine]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/02/25/geneva-preview-lotus-to-unveil-omnivore-concept-engine/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/02/25/geneva-preview-lotus-to-unveil-omnivore-concept-engine/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/02/25/geneva-preview-lotus-to-unveil-omnivore-concept-engine/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Next week at the Geneva Motor Show, Lotus Engineering will unveil its Omnivore concept engine. As the name implies, the Omnivore is designed to consume whatever is fed to it. The Omnivore is a flex fuel engine that is designed to extract the maximum amount of work regardless of what type of fuel is used. One of the main issues with flex-fuel engines is that the various fuels have different combustion characteristics (burn rates, octane ratings combustion temperatures) and it's difficult to get a single engine to run at optimal efficiency with different fuels due to the physical limitations of the engine. Turbocharged engines have an advantage because the maximum boost pressure can be varied to take advantage of higher octane alcohol fuels.

The Omnivore is specifically designed to take advantage of varying fuels and modern electronic control capabilities. Like most research engines, this is a single cylinder design that allows the Lotus engineers to more quickly make changes and study the effects. This is also a two-stroke design with an air assisted direct injection system provided by Orbital Corporation of Australia. Those interested in two-strokes may remember Orbital from the early nineties when a number of manufacturers were investigating two-stroke engines. The concept engine uses a mono-block layout with a single hunk of metal comprising the cylinder block and head and no poppet valves. Instead the ports are exposed by the piston's motion. Variations in timing between intake and exhaust are achieved by valve in the exhaust port that traps the exhaust.

The lack of poppet valves allows for the installation of a movable puck in the top of the cylinder that allows for a variable compression ratio. Sensors that detect the fuel composition are tied into the engine management and the compression ratio is varied to get the most out of the fuel under various driving conditions. The goal of the project is to allow engines to go as far as possible on every gallon fuel regardless of the fuel type. Ultimately this design should even be able to accommodate diesel-like HCCI combustion.

[Source: Lotus]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Lotus to unveil Omnivore concept engine

Geneva Preview: Lotus to unveil Omnivore concept engine originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>genevageneva motor showgeneva2009GenevaMotorShowlotus engineeringLotusEngineeringomnivore engineOmnivoreEngineWed, 25 Feb 2009 19:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Lotus praises UK government's new boost for green technology]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/30/lotus-praises-uk-governments-new-boost-for-green-technology/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/30/lotus-praises-uk-governments-new-boost-for-green-technology/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/30/lotus-praises-uk-governments-new-boost-for-green-technology/#commentsFiled under: ,

Lotus Engineering has been working on a wide variety of alternative drive technologies over the past decade, helping many client automakers develop electric and hybrid vehicles as well as more efficient internal combustion engines. This week, the UK government offered up £2.3 billion in loan guarantees to automakers, and tied the money to carbon-reducing initiatives.

With that in mind, Lotus CEO Michael Kimberly issued a statement praising the government's initiative. Any moves to encourage automakers to adopt greener technologies have the potential to benefit Lotus and its engineering consultancy business. The statement is after the jump.

[Source: Lotus]

Continue reading Lotus praises UK government's new boost for green technology

Lotus praises UK government's new boost for green technology originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lotus engineeringLotusEngineeringuk auto aidUkAutoAidFri, 30 Jan 2009 11:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit 2009: Crosshairs on a Europa make a Dodge Circuit EV]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/11/detroit-2009-crosshairs-on-a-europa-make-a-dodge-circuit-ev/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/11/detroit-2009-crosshairs-on-a-europa-make-a-dodge-circuit-ev/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/11/detroit-2009-crosshairs-on-a-europa-make-a-dodge-circuit-ev/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click the Dodge Circuit EV for a high-res gallery

As suspected from some recent spy photos Chrysler's ENVI group has continued to work on the car that first appeared last fall as the DodgeEV. The car that was nothing more than a Lotus Europa with an electric powertrain and Dodge badges now at least looks kind of like it belongs in a Dodge dealership .The front fascia now sports the traditional Dodge cross-hair grille while the posterior gets cleaner look with a small diffuser. New wheels and a coat of orange paint that Chrysler's press release dubbs"Tangoreen" round out the visual changes.

As near as we can tell from that same press release the only real functional change to the car that is now called the Circuit EV is the positioning of the plug. The original car had the plug on the right side of the car, which would be the driver's side over in the UK where this car was built. The Circuit now has the plug socket on the left flank where it would be more convenient to charge in this country. The A123 battery pack and 200 kW motor remain from the original iteration.

Gallery: Dodge Circuit EV

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Crosshairs on a Europa make a Dodge Circuit EV

Detroit 2009: Crosshairs on a Europa make a Dodge Circuit EV originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>detroitdetroit 2009detroit auto showDetroit2009DetroitAutoShowdodge circuitdodge circuit evDodgeCircuitDodgeCircuitEvlotus europaLotusEuropaSun, 11 Jan 2009 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Lotus possibly delays new Esprit to 2011, may add hybrid drive]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/10/lotus-possibly-delays-new-esprit-to-2011-may-add-hybrid-drive/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/10/lotus-possibly-delays-new-esprit-to-2011-may-add-hybrid-drive/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/10/lotus-possibly-delays-new-esprit-to-2011-may-add-hybrid-drive/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The original Lotus Esprit was one of the most iconic sports car shapes ever penned and remained in production through various refreshes for 28 years. An all-new Esprit has been anticipated by Lotus fans for some time and most recently was expected to debut in 2010. The latest plan for the Esprit was to derive it from the platform of the new Evora but with significantly more power. Most of the powertrain rumors revolved around using BMW's 4.4L V8 or possibly the 5.0L V10 from the M5. The latter is unlikely since BMW is moving toward smaller turbocharged and direct injected powerplants.

The Esprit has now reportedly been pushed back by a year (to 2011), which is probably a good thing given the problems that other high end cars are currently having in the marketplace. The delay is believed to be cause, in part, by Lotus adding a hybrid drive to the Esprit. If Lotus is indeed planning to use the BMW 4.4L turbo V8 from the X6 and new 7 series, the most likely scenario would be for the British company to use the mild hybrid system that will debut in the 7-series and the Mercedes S-Class this summer. The mild hybrid adds relatively little weight while providing start-stop capability, reduced parasitic losses and a bit of electric boost and regenerative braking.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Lotus possibly delays new Esprit to 2011, may add hybrid drive originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lotus espritlotus esprit hybridLotusEspritLotusEspritHybridSat, 10 Jan 2009 20:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Bond would kill for this Lotus-developed biofueled Antarctic speeder]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/lotus-develops-biofueled-speeder-to-check-out-arctic-ice-for-cra/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/lotus-develops-biofueled-speeder-to-check-out-arctic-ice-for-cra/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/lotus-develops-biofueled-speeder-to-check-out-arctic-ice-for-cra/#commentsFiled under: ,



For the engineering crew at Lotus, building transportation devices that are not sports cars is nothing new. Back in the early 90s they put their knowledge of lightweight materials and aerodynamics together to create a race bicycle that tore up the velodrome at the Olympics, not to mention wild soap box racers. The latest project is a three ski snow speeder that will be used in an Antarctic expedition next November to raise awareness of climate change. The Concept Ice Vehicle (CIV) is powered by a two cylinder BMW bike engine converted to E85 operation and turning a propeller that pushes the vehicle across the ice and snow at up to 84 mph. The CIV will be used to scout for crevasses in the ice. When the voids are found the GPS coordinates will be sent back to the rest of the team to warn them before anyone falls in.

[Source: Wired]

Bond would kill for this Lotus-developed biofueled Antarctic speeder originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>civconcept ice vehicleConceptIceVehiclelotuslotus civlotus concept ice vehicleLotusCivLotusConceptIceVehicleTue, 06 Jan 2009 14:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Tesla CEO comments on Lotus EV report]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/03/tesla-ceo-comments-on-lotus-ev-report/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/03/tesla-ceo-comments-on-lotus-ev-report/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/03/tesla-ceo-comments-on-lotus-ev-report/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res image gallery of Jason's Tesla Roadster

Following the report on Friday that Lotus was planning to introduce an electric car of its own, we contacted Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk for a comment. Tesla and Lotus collaborated on development of the Roadster and Lotus builds the rolling chassis at its Hethel factory. The FT story did not come as a surprise to Musk. Lotus apparently let Tesla know of its plans in advance and Tesla is hoping to sell some powertrain components to Lotus for the new car.

Tesla already has one powertrain supply deal with a company that has not been disclosed yet. Musk hopes that customer will be willing to make a public announcement in the next month or two. That customer is widely believed to be Daimler and the powertrain is destined for the second-generation Smart ED. Musk will be in Detroit the week after next to deliver a keynote about working with automakers to supply powertrain systems, components and software.

With the current financial situation being what it is, Musk also wants to play nice with Detroit as evidenced by the following comment, "I've made some comments about Silicon Valley being a lot more competitive on the world stage than Detroit, which few would disagree with and I think is a fair criticism, but that has been misinterpreted as anti-Detroit. The right move here for Detroit is to harness Silicon Valley innovation and work with companies like Tesla. It is ironic that our first major automotive partner is not American."

Gallery: Jason Calacanis' Tesla Roadster


Gallery: Trying out Jason's Tesla Roadster


Photos copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips, Sam Abuelsamid, Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Tesla CEO comments on Lotus EV report

Tesla CEO comments on Lotus EV report originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>elon muskElonMusklotus evLotusEvtesla motorsTeslaMotorsSat, 03 Jan 2009 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Lotus set to challenge Tesla and Fisker with extended range EV]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/lotus-set-to-challenge-tesla-and-fisker-with-extended-range-ev/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/lotus-set-to-challenge-tesla-and-fisker-with-extended-range-ev/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/lotus-set-to-challenge-tesla-and-fisker-with-extended-range-ev/#commentsFiled under: , ,

After the engineering side of Lotus has spent over a decade working on electric vehicle technology, the production side finally looks ready to take advantage of it. Lotus CEO Michael Kimberley recently told the Financial Times, "Don't be surprised to see an electric Lotus shortly," which could appear as a concept car at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The first electric Lotus is expected to be a range extended EV with a smaller battery to provide some plug-in range and an internal combustion engine to stretch the driving distance out to 300-400 miles. That would put Lotus in direct competition with the Fisker Karma. It's not known what vehicle layout Lotus will use, but given its limited resources, the new Evora is likely to be the donor platform. That will likely mean a mid-mounted battery pack with an engine directly behind.

Lotus Engineering consults with many automakers around the world on a wide variety of projects, most of which we never hear about. However, in the past two years, the company has been prominently involved with both Chrysler and Tesla Motors. Lotus developed the chassis of the Tesla Roadster as an evolution of its own Elise and manufactures rolling chassis for the California Company. Lotus also built the battery-powered Dodge EV based on its Europa sports car. What impact this new car will have on either of those projects is not clear right now. However, building its own EVs without a middle man would likely give Lotus a big financial advantage over Tesla.

Gallery: LA 2008: Dodge EV


[Source: Financial Times]

Lotus set to challenge Tesla and Fisker with extended range EV originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dodge evDodgeEvgeneva 2009Geneva2009lotus er-evlotus erevlotus evlotus evoraLotusEr-evLotusErevLotusEvLotusEvoraFri, 02 Jan 2009 12:02:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Dale Vince explains hydrogen conspiracy, baits Tesla in latest wind-car update ]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/12/03/video-dale-vince-explains-hydrogen-conspiracy-baits-tesla-in-l/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/12/03/video-dale-vince-explains-hydrogen-conspiracy-baits-tesla-in-l/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/12/03/video-dale-vince-explains-hydrogen-conspiracy-baits-tesla-in-l/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The latest episode in the "wind-car" building saga is ready for viewing and Dale Vince, the man behind both this project and Ecotricity, has some interesting things to say. Although the discussion is mainly centered around the car and their attempts to make the Exige bodywork look a little more "tough," Dale also explained why he thinks there has been such a push for hydrogen. He says the oil companies like the idea of a hydrogen economy because, "...they make that at their refineries and they can ship it in their tankers, put it in their garages and it's business as usual." He adds that hydrogen-powered cars do one-third the miles of an electric vehicle for a given unit of energy.

Dale also continues to make light jabs at the Tesla Roadster. At the tail end of the video he grins and says, "Our car'll be special. Very, very special. Nothing like the Tesla." While we enjoyed the good-natured tone of the comment, we can only hope there will be an on-track race at the end of all of this taunting. Hit the jump for some British-accented electric-sports-car-making action.

[Source: Zero Carbonista]

Continue reading VIDEO: Dale Vince explains hydrogen conspiracy, baits Tesla in latest wind-car update

VIDEO: Dale Vince explains hydrogen conspiracy, baits Tesla in latest wind-car update originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dale VinceDaleVinceEcotricityhydrogen conspiracyHydrogenConspiracywind carwind powered carWindCarWindPoweredCarWed, 03 Dec 2008 12:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit Electric to launch Tesla-beater in June?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/11/26/detroit-electric-to-launch-tesla-beater-in-june/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/11/26/detroit-electric-to-launch-tesla-beater-in-june/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/11/26/detroit-electric-to-launch-tesla-beater-in-june/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Ever since that Malaysian press melée in September there haven't been any perceptible noises emanating from the resurrected Detroit Electric. Perhaps former Lotus CEO Albert Lam and friends have their noses to the grindstone getting product ready their announced end-of-2009 production run. Secretly, we hope they're preparing several models to brandish at the motor show in their namesake city, (we've heard some room may have opened up) but with a website that looks like it's in need of life support, we suspect not.

They may have some surprises up their sleeve though. A comment (as pointed out by "VFX" over at the Tesla Motors Club forum) appeared on the Tesla Founders blog of Martin Eberhard attributed to Mr Lam inviting the former to come check out some of his pre-production sports cars in Europe. Much more of a converted Lotus Elise that the Tesla Roadster has been accused of being, the vehicle is supposed to do 0 to 60 in under 4 seconds and have a 140 mph+ top speed. Range is stated to be about 200 miles. The kicker? Volume production is planned for June. Believable? You tell us.

[Source: Tesla Founders Blog via VFX at Tesla Motors Club Forum]

Detroit Electric to launch Tesla-beater in June? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Albert LamAlbertLamDetroit ElectricDetroitElectricelectric sports carElectricSportsCarLotus EliseLotusEliseMartin EberhardMartinEberhardWed, 26 Nov 2008 15:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Lotus Engineering director talks about Dodge EV]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/11/21/lotus-engineering-director-talks-about-dodge-ev/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/11/21/lotus-engineering-director-talks-about-dodge-ev/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/11/21/lotus-engineering-director-talks-about-dodge-ev/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


click the Dodge EV for a high-res gallery from the show

While strolling around one of the smaller exhibit halls at the Los Angeles Auto Show I ran into an old acquaintance I hadn't seen in about 15 years. I met Roger Becker early in my engineering career when I was working on the ABS system for the ill-fated Lotus Elan. Roger is the director of vehicle enigneering at Lotus and over his 42-year career he has had a hand in developing far more cars from different manufacturers than we will likely ever know about. While Lotus was here to give the US its first look at the new Evora sports car, they have had a hand in a variety of much greener projects in recent years, including the Tesla Roadster and, more recently, the Dodge EV. You may recall that the Dodge was announced a couple of months ago along with ER-EV versions of the Town and Country van and Jeep Wrangler. Since Chrysler had only a bare-bones presence here at LA, I asked Roger to answer a few questions about the Dodge; read all about it after the jump.

Gallery: LA 2008: Dodge EV


[Source: Lotus]Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Lotus Engineering director talks about Dodge EV

Lotus Engineering director talks about Dodge EV originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dodge evDodgeEvlotusroger beckerRogerBeckerFri, 21 Nov 2008 08:48:00 EST