HETHEL, England — Lotus Engineering is talking to a Tier 1 supplier about the mass manufacture of its dedicated hybrid range-extender engine. The discussions follow interest from several car manufacturers in the three-cylinder, 1.2-liter engine, which can run on gasoline, ethanol, methanol or any mix of the three.
Insiders say that the undisclosed supplier, which does not currently make internal-combustion engines, could build around 50,000 units per year for several mainstream makers that are interested in relatively low volumes for range-extender models.
The two-valve engine is designed to minimize consumption in its range-extending mode by running across a narrow rev range of 1,500-3,500 rpm, and always under load.
Lotus is also looking for funding from the U.K.'s Technology Strategy Board for the further development of its Evo Electric axial flat electric motors, which deliver more torque at lower rpm, and its sequential-regeneration electric gearbox.
According to Lotus high-ups, the Evora E414 Hybrid's technology is "very close to being production possible."
Inside Line says: Lotus looks to position itself at the leading edge of the coming hybrid age. — Richard Bremner, Correspondent
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racerx1320 says:
11:05 AM, 03/11/2010
Im Dieing to see what Lotus can come up with in this segment. The combination of a hybrid engine with their already lightweight bodies should be very interesting.