2014 Lotus Elite GT with Lexus ISF 5.0 V8

Oooohweee, the Lotus is getting ready to go big or what? After the announcement of the Evora S and IPS options for Auto, Light brand is becoming clear kg heavier than 1650 (£ 3600 +) Elite Gran Turismo.

Expected to begin arriving in Paris in 2014, the Elite 2 +2 - which inherits the name of an old Lotus Looker - is powered by a central front-V8 5.0-liter. The engine that generates 620 horsepower, is suspected of being a Lotus-tuned Lexus IS-F unit. Scroll through the list of complete specifications of the concept.

Take a page from Phil Alex manual drawing of the blogosphere, here's an excerpt from the Lotus press release:

"So here, the Lotus Elite, the first test of things to come from Lotus in the future. Elegant appearance in the dictionary and variations are as follows: 1. Thanks dignified appearance, movement, or behavior, 2 .. excellent taste in design, style and something elegant three, the ultimate refinement. "

Run-on sentences and grammar aside, Let's give a compliment.

New Lotus Elite (not to be confused with its mummified remains hunting Ferrari Spirit) is expected to get a retractable roof, as Porsche Targa and optional systems use a hybrid drivetrain and KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System).

Group Lotus CEO Danny Bahar said: "[Elite] a car that over-produce in any other part of ... You could say that this car is perfect contradictions, is a compact and spacious, well-functioning still low emissions Low weight but still impressive SolidWorks ... Make no mistake, there is a clear market need for the Elite ... It should be noted that the sector has been very successful for us in the past and now the Elite to increase the benchmark higher. "

All this is still called a "prototype for production", expect the road model are very similar to what you need right now. More photos and details will be on their way once we get closer to a presentation in Paris.

By Phil Alex

 

 

Lotus Elite Specifications*


Layout: 2+2 seater, front-mid-engined, rear wheel drive
Dimensions: Length: 4.60m
Width: 1.90m
Height: 1.32m
Engine: Petrol, hybrid optional
Hybrid technology: Hybrid gearbox with integrated electric motors and KERS
Cylinder: V8
Capacity: 5.0 litre
Power/Torque: 620 PS / 720 Nm
Rev limit: 8,500 rpm
0-100 km/h: 3.5 to 3.7 seconds
Top speed: 315 km/h
CO2 approx (CO2 /km): 215 g/km**
Weight: 1,650 kg
Seats: 2+2
Transmission: Full Hybrid transmission
Drive: RWD
Start of production: Early 2014
Enters the market: Spring 2014
Price indication: Circa £115,000

[From Lotus Press Release] * Whilst the vehicle shown in this release is a Production Intent Prototype, it represents a concept vehicle being designed and developed by Lotus Cars. Lotus Cars reserves the right to change the external and internal design of the Production Intent Prototypes, the specification, performance, dimensions, weight, fuel consumption, powertrain details and any other product information at anytime and without notice for any reason whatsoever.

Details of performance, weight, fuel consumption and other production information relating to the Production Intent Prototypes are not official or proven figures and represent the intended performance, weight, fuel consumption and other product information of the Production Intent Prototypes.

The design, specification and performance figures for all Production Intent Prototypes will be confirmed following official testing and will be available from Lotus Cars.

The price quoted includes VAT at 17.5%.

 

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New Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4

For those of you torn between hybrid gasoline and diesel cars, Peugeot has the answer for you that the French automaker unveiled the first production diesel hybrid, the 3008 HYbrid4. Unlike your regular hybrid that uses a gasoline engine, Peugeot crossover combines a 163bhp 2.0-liter turbo diesel turns the front wheels and an electric motor (continuous 27bhp / 37bhp maximum) driving the rear axle.

As a result, the car is not only less fuel than an ordinary hybrid, but (even if both engines are not related) also offers four-wheel drive.

The entire system power is 200 horses, with a combined torque of 500 Nm (369 lb-ft), divided into 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) in front of axle diesel and 200 Nm (148 lb-ft) behind generated by an electric motor. Diesel engine second generation Stop & Start system is connected to an electronically controlled six-speed sequential manual gearbox.

An energy recovery system uses kinetic energy created by the vehicle during deceleration and converts electrical energy to recharge the Ni-MH (nickel-metal hydride) located under the cargo floor, near the electric motor.

The hybrid configuration, which adds 264 pounds (120 kg) weight of the vehicle, allows the crossing to operate in 3008 to only the front wheel, rear wheel drive and four-wheel drive only driving modes. The driver can choose between four different operating modes with a console-mounted dial.

"Auto" mode, the control electronics to change the diesel engine and electric motor of the world's largest economy. Another option is the way "Zev", when the car is clean, the maximum range of electric current of 4.5 km or 2.8 miles .. A third option is the mode "4WD", which gives advice to both power sources work together as much as possible. In addition, there is a Sport mode, which uses the entire system of 200 horses.

Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 said returns a combined fuel consumption of only 3.8lt/100km (equivalent to 61.9mpg U.S. or 74.4mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 99g/km only. In terms of performance, the French manufacturer says a 0-100 km / h (62 mph) sprint time of 8.8 seconds and a top speed of 209 kmh (130 mph).

The same hybrid transmission used in the next year introduced a new sedan and wagon 508, as well as other models of PSA Peugeot-Citroen group. 3008 HYbrid4 company built factories in Sochaux and Mulhouse in France, European sales will start in spring 2011.

 

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IAA 2011: C-X16 Production Concept is “The Future of Jaguar Sports Cars”

Jaguar is so far under-performing, recording a 27% sales drop in the first quarter of the year. Indian owner Tata Motors is determined though to turn its fortunes around by investing US$2.5 billion annually for the next five years in the British luxury carmaker and its Land Rover stable mate in order to develop 40 new models and variants.

A spiritual successor to the legendary E-Type is certainly a good start: a modern sports coupe along with a roadster variant boasting compact dimensions and 21st century design and driving dynamics. This is exactly Jaguar’s main attraction at the 64th Frankfurt Motor Show: the C-X16 “production concept”, as the study is officially named, clearly pointing at a road-going model.

To mark the event, Jaguar organized a motorcade of 50 classic models, such as XK120s, C-Types, D-Types and, of course, E-Types that drove through the city of Frankfurt starting at the Villa Kennedy and ending at the Palais Thurn and Taxis where the C-X16 was presented to the media.

Jaguar/Land Rover head of communications, Frank Klaas, who drove a D-Type in the parade, commented: “What better way to start the motor show than by driving such a selection of beautiful sports cars through Frankfurt, culminating with the global debut of the future of Jaguar sports cars, the C-X16.”

The two-seater compact coupe (4,445 mm in length, 2,048 mm in width and 1,297 mm in height) uses a shortened version of the next-generation XK aluminium platform. The concept features a hybrid system that combines a 380 HP 3.0-liter supercharged V6 with a 95 HP electric motor integrated in the eight-speed automatic transmission’s structure.

Like the much more exclusive and expensive C-X75, the C-X16 has a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). This allows the driver to use the electric motor for extra acceleration by pushing a steering wheel-mounted button, just like in Formula 1 cars. The difference is that, unlike the four-wheel drive, two-electric motors equipped C-X75, the small coupe's KERS will be simpler and drive will be directed only to the rear wheels.

Jaguar has even announced performance data for the C-X16: it accelerates from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.4 seconds, reaches a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph) and weighs 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs). Looks like Porsche’s Cayman and 911 will, in the near future, have another contender added to their rivals’ list.

 

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New Jaguar C-X16 Concepts Hints at a Porsche Cayman and 911 Rival

Jaguar is bringing a new sleek concept car named the C-X16 to the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, which opens its gates on September 13.

Following the release of a single teaser rendering, the British carmaker unloaded a slew of photos and information on the concept that is believed to lead to a production model sitting under the XK and aiming at the likes of both the Porsche Cayman and 911.

Billed as a true driver's sports car, the strictly two-seat C-X16 is the smallest Jaguar in terms of length since the 1954 XK120. The concept is built around a shortened version of the next generation XK's aluminium chassis structure and it measures 4,445 mm (175-in.) in length, 2,048 mm (80.6-in.) in width and 1,297 mm (51-in.) in height and has a wheelbase measuring 2,622 mm (103.2-in.).

Lurking under its long hood is hybrid powertrain that includes a next-generation 3.0-liter supercharged V6 petrol engine delivering 380-horses (280kW) and 332 lb ft (450 Nm) of torque and an electric motor generator integrated into the eight-speed automatic gearbox that transfers power to the rear wheels.

The electric motor draws power from a 1.6kWh battery pack mounted behind the seats that is charged through a brake energy regeneration system. The motor provides and additional 95-horsepower (70 kW) and 173 lb ft (235 Nm) of torque.

A Formula 1 Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS)-inspired hybrid boost system with a steering-wheel mounted button allows for on-demand acceleration using the electric motor.

Jaguar says the C-X16 tips the scales at 1,600kg (3,527 lbs) and has a perfect 50-50 weight distribution. According to the company, it is capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 mph (100km/h) in 4.4 seconds and from 50 to 75 mph (80-120km/h) in 2.1 seconds, while reaching a top speed of 186 mph (299km/h).

In addition, the British firm reveals that the C-X16 is able to travel at speeds of up to 50 mph (80km/h) using electric power alone and has CO2 emissions of 165 g/km.

The styling of the C-X16 is the work of Ian Callum. The exterior design mixes styling cues from both the XK (up front) and Jaguar's well received C-X75 hypercar study (at the back) from last year's Paris Auto Show, in a more compact form.

“This car has been designed from first principles," says Callum. "It is an evolution of the design ethos of past Jaguar cars and defines the agenda for a future of dramatic, innovative sports cars. Purity of line and intent is what Jaguar does best.”

Like the exterior, the interior of the concept looks very close to production sans the trim and dramatic color choices. According to the British automaker, the inspiration for elements of its layout come from aeronautical ergonomics, such as the joystick-style gearlever and banks of toggle switches, which also refer to classic racing Jaguar cars.

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