Lotus Ethos

Lotus Ethos
Overview
ManufacturerLotus Engineering
Production2010
DesignerDonato Coco
Body and chassis
Body style2-door hatchback
RelatedProton EMAS
Powertrain
Engine1.2 liter three-cylinder flex-fuel capable petrol engine
Dimensions
Kerb weight1400 kg (3086 lbs)

The Lotus Ethos is a fully plug-in hybrid concept car that was unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show as the "Lotus CityCar". The vehicle was developed by Lotus Engineering, a separate division from Lotus Cars.[1] The CityCar has a lithium battery pack with an all-electric range of 60 km (37 miles), and after the battery is depleted the 1.2-litre petrol engine kicks in to help with charging, allowing the car to run more than 500 km (310 miles).[1][2] The concept car is designed for flex-fuel operation on ethanol, or methanol as well as regular petrol.[3]

Specifications

The Ethos concept is an urban electric car with a 14.8 kWh lithium battery pack that delivers a range of up to 37 miles (60 km) in electric-only mode. The internal combustion engine is a flex-fuel-capable 47 hp, 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that acts as a generator charging the battery pack up to 310 miles (500 km). The concept car weighs less than 1400 kg, and Lotus claims it will reach 62 miles per hour (100 km/h) from rest in 9 seconds.[2] Top speed is 170 kilometres per hour (110 mph), with a charge-sustaining top speed of 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph) and the drivetrain has CO2 emissions rating below of 60 g/km on the ECE-R101 test.[3]

Naming and production plans

In 2011 Lotus named the concept the Lotus Ethos. It is based on the EMAS from its parent company Proton and was to be assembled in Malaysia alongside the EMAS for an estimated cost in the UK of "£30,000 plus" but never entered production .[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Jerry Garrett (October 2010). "Lost in the Paris Hoopla: Lotus CityCar". New York Times. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  2. ^ a b Mark Gillies (2 October 2010). "Lotus City Car Concept - Auto Shows". Car and Driver. Archived from the original on 5 October 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Lotus unveils range-extended electric city car concept in Paris". AutoblogGreen. 2 October 2010. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  4. ^ Dan Strong (21 June 2011). "Lotus confirms new V8 and city car too". Auto Express. Retrieved 11 August 2011.