Following hybrid developments from Porsche and Ferrari, British sports car manufacturer Lotus has stepped up to the plate with its plug-in hybrid Evora 414E concept sports car.
Lotus says the Evora 414E Hybrid simultaneously showcases the company’s innovative electric and hybrid technology without distracting from the pure sports car character of the Evora.
Reflecting Lotus’ DNA which dates back to its founder, legendary British Formula One Grand Prix designer and team owner Colin Chapman, the company’s Director of Engineering, Dr Robert Hentschel said: “Innovation has always been at the heart of Lotus and is needed now more than ever. The Evora 414E Hybrid is the perfect demonstration of Lotus Engineering’s core competencies: lightweight architectures, efficient performance, electrical and electronics integration and driving dynamics”.
The hybrid Evora’s nomenclature ‘414E’ comes from its power – 414 horsepower (306kW). With twin 152kW/400Nm electric motors driving each rear wheel, the Evora 414E Hybrid accelerates from zero to 100km/h in just four seconds.
To keep things sporty, Lotus engaged Harmon International to develop a HALOsonic suite of engine noises to generate lifelike engine sounds inside the car, matched to a virtual gearshift simulator (the car is actually single speed but the simulated system actually has paddle shifters and ‘clunks’ when gears are selected). For engine noise, there are four driver-selectable soundtracks including V6 and V12 powerplants.
Lotus says this system was designed to reduce the psychological barrier for performance car enthusiasts switching to hybrid power.
A compact 85kgs 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine is used as a ‘range-extender’ – it purely provides charge to top-up the Lithium Polymer battery. Lotus says the Evora 414E Hybrid has a pure electric range of 56kms.
Overnight battery charging can be achieved from a normal household power plug and a socket concealed in the Evora’s rear number plate.
Inside is the usual plush Lotus interior trimmed in Alcantara and leather, while the carbon fibre body features extensive natural carbon fibre for a real motorsports look. Painted surfaces are finished in water based pearlescent white.
