Lightning GT

Special Cars 25 Jul 2008

Debuting at the London Motor Show, the Lightning GT combines classic British sports car design with an all-electric powertrain featuring in-wheels motors and NanoSafe batteries which allow for a 10-minutes recharge time. First deliveries will begin in 2009.

At the 2008 London Motor Show the Lightning car company has presented the Lightning GT, a performance-focused all-electric sportscar with in-wheels motors, full regenerative braking system and NanoSafe battery system.

The goal is to achieve a short 10-minutes recharge time which would allow a range of up to 200 miles.

The electric-powered Lightning follows the production of several gasoline vehicles and is currently in an advanced prototype construction stage.

The lightweight construction consists of a composite monocoque structure combined with a carbon fibre/Kevlar bodywork.

The tires – developed by Cooper Tire – are 245/45R20 in size.

The 700+ hp powertrain allows for high performance figures, which include a 0-60 mph sprint time of 4.0 seconds and a top speed of more than 130 mph.

Lightning Car Company is currently accepting pre-orders of the GT, which is scheduled to be delivered in 2009.

Customers will have the possibility of tailoring the vehicles to their needs, by ordering a ‘made to measure’ interior or by requesting a modified bodywork.

For more information about the Lightning GT, visit www.lightningcarcompany.co.uk.

Technical Features

The batteries adopt the NanoSafe™ system, developed by US company Altairnano Inc. using Nanotechnology.

NanoSafe batteries use nano titanate materials instead of graphite which makes them far more thermally stable; they have a life expectancy of 12+ years, versus the 3-5 year usable life of other batteries, can retain up to 85% charge capacity after 15,000 charges, can be recharged in approximately 10 minutes and don’t contain toxics or heavy metals.

To deliver this power to the road the Lightning will use electronically controlled traction control which negates wheel spin and unbalance in the power being applied.

The Hi-Pa Drive™ in-wheel electric motors are supplied by PML Flightlink Ltd. The integrated motor and drive electronics produces an ultra high power density – up to 20 times more than conventional systems.

The compact, electric wheel motors produce high levels of torque with internal heavy-duty tapered roller bearings that can withstand heavy radial loads for robust use.

Yet they achieve the power to weight ratio important for the performance sports car capability of the Lightning.

Other features include total weather proofing, total energy transfer and several levels of redundancy, so any single failure will not prevent the vehicle from operating safely.