For drivers who want to be green but not boring, the new electric Lightning supercar could prove the ultimate eco-friendly boys' toy.
This emission free 130mph sports car - which has a hint of Jaguar, Aston Martin and TVR styling - can outpace a Porsche 911 or a Ferrari 575 - sprinting from rest to 60mph in under four seconds.
And though it will cost you a tingling £150,000, it is simply powered by 30 rechargeable batteries and doesn't use an ounce of fossil fuel.
The British-built two-seater 'Lightning' is fitted with four wheel-mounted motors that combine to power the car to 60 mph in under four seconds.
It develops 700 brake-horse-power - equivalent to about seven Ford fiestas.
The batteries have a range of 250 miles, take just 10 minutes to fully charge from home or on the road - thanks to 12ft cable which you simply plug into a socket.
The rechargeable nine inch high batteries - a sophisticated version of those used on the traditional milk float - form a system that the makers say will last 12 years.
The car's super-clean credentials mean it is exempt from road tax and London congestion charges.
Its designers claim the emission-free car could cost up to £10,000 less per year to run than a high-powered Audi RS4.
And the interior even comes complete with its own optional sat nav system and a dock to plug in your iPod.
A Ferrari 575 Maranello, which costs £150,000 , will reach 60mph in 4.1 seconds - the same time as a Porsche 911 Turbo S which sells for £100,000 pounds.
The Lightning, which is expected to be track tested later this year, began life as a petrol-driven vehicle so developers could come up with a suitable chassis.
Designers at the Peterborough-based Lightning Car Company eventually settled on an aluminium honeycomb and a structure drawn from Formula One technology.
The car is powered by four electric motors mounted in each of the hubs of the 20 inch wheels.
All four motors are revolutionary 'Hi-Pa Drive' units developed by UK firm PML Flightlink Ltd.
Because there are no gears - or even a gear-stick - the electric power is instantaneous, allowing the phenomenal acceleration.
The energy-efficient motors produce huge levels of torque - or 'pulling power' - but are still lightweight enough for a performance sports car.
The Lightning will also feature an advanced 'regenerative energy system', where the car's batteries are recharged by lost friction energy captured when the ant-lock brakes are applied.
Similar technology will be adopted into Formula One from 2008 when so-called kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) become mandatory.
The car also has traction control to stop skidding, electric doors and windows, and high-powered halogen headlamps.
Inside, the driver will be swathed in an all-leather or leather and alcantara interior. There's also a two piece removeable hard top.
Lightning Car Company technical director Arthur Wolstenholme said: "Ten, or perhaps even five years ago, electric power was dismissed as a poor substitute for petrol, diesel or liquid petroleum gas (LPG). But the world has now moved on significantly.
"Electric motor and battery technologies have been developed that will enable the Lightning to demonstrate 700 bhp performance over a range that exceeds some of today's petrol performance cars.'
He said:"The Lightning is intended to compete with premium market sport cars, but our electric power should outstrip the response rates, torque characteristics and driveability of most exotic performance super cars.
"Electric power has truly arrived in the performance market."
1 comment:
electic propulsion is the wave of the future, but let's not start lying about it by claiming that an electric car doesn't use a drop of fossil fuel. It uses a whole lot of electricity, most of which was made by, guess what? Yes, fossil fuel - 70%, on average was made from burning some dead previously organic something.
Post a Comment