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What is really quite interesting about Lotus’ take on hybridization is its thoroughness. Lotus elected to put two very capable motors into the vehicle, one at each of the rear wheels.
Each produces roughly 200HP and nearly 300 foot pounds of torque.
The motors draw power from a large, low-mounted, centrally located battery pack which is charged by an efficient 1.2 liter gasoline engine.
This system is extremely well thought out, and appears at present to be fully functioning.
Being the sporting chaps they are, Lotus even devised a way to preserve some of the feel of traditional driving by installing a simulated gearbox.
The shifts change driving characteristics and increase driver interaction–at the same time, this allows for variability in the regenerative braking system via simulated downshifts.
Additionally, Lotus tackled the rather large problem of Electric Vehicles (Range-extended EVs included) running basically silent, even at speed.
Their solution was HALOsonic, which broadcasts engine sounds inside and outside the vehicle. This is another dual-pronged solution to a hybrid/EV problem. Inside, this creates a more involving drive. Outside, pedestrians are made aware of an oncoming vehicle.
On a more design-oriented note, the exterior sports a fantastic matte-metallic copper paint with less than fantastic circuit appliqués. Interior looks familiar, and is surprisingly good-looking trimmed in copper-accented black leather.
An exceptional aspect of the body is its glass roof. This so-called ‘floating roof’ was implemented to help showcase the electric components, but an electrochromatic production version would most assuredly be a popular option for the standard Evora.
(Source: Lotus)
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