RE: Lightning strike

Monday 11th June 2007

Lightning strike

New English and electric sportscar


The Lightning GT
The Lightning GT
A British car company has unveiled ambitious plans to create a new high performance sportscar powered by electric motors.

The Lightning Car Company GT is powered by four, hub mounted electric motors claimed to produce at least 700bhp in total. Each motor has a maximum torque rating at the wheel of 553lb ft, available virtually from zero rpm.

The firm is aiming to produce three models: the regular ‘GT’; the lighter ‘GTS’ version that should do 0-60mph in under four seconds, and the longer range ‘GTSE’ said to do over 250 miles. Recharging the Lightning takes just 10 minutes.

The Lightning is said to achieve this impressive level of durability thanks to its cutting edge battery technology and systems.

GT is powered by 4 electric motors
GT is powered by 4 electric motors
It uses Nanosafe batteries from Altairnano Inc which have been in development since the start of the decade. The batteries use nano titanate materials instead of graphite which, the makers claim, makes them far more thermally stable - there are no toxics or heavy metals used in them.

Their life expectancy is up to 12 years, versus the three-five year life of other batteries, and they can retain up to 85% charge capacity after 15,000 charges.  With instantaneous power even at extreme temperatures, NanoSafe batteries claim to deliver power per unit weight and unit volume several times that of conventional Lithium-Ion batteries.

These batteries power a motor system branded as Hi-Pa Drive and sourced from a company called PML Flightlink Ltd.

Hi-Pa Drive integrates the motor and drive electronics in one single unit. It claims to produce an ultra high power density - up to 20 times more than conventional systems.

Over 700bhp is claimed
Over 700bhp is claimed
The compact, energy-efficient, electric wheel motors are said to produce unrivalled levels of torque with internal heavy-duty tapered roller bearings that can withstand heavy radial loads for robust use. 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.

Upon braking, the Lightning reverses its electric motor turning it into an electric generator, creating electricity which is fed back into the battery and stored for future use. In fact any time an electric vehicle decelerates it causes the system to use the vehicle's momentum to generate electricity.

Carbon fibre body
Carbon fibre body
Despite the cutting edge technology contained inside, the Lightning utilises a ‘1960’s British GT- esque’ shape. The car has been in very low series production recently with a Mustang Cobra V8 motor, but the final petrol-powered Lightning is being finished at the moment, and the company will concentrate on electric power from now on.

The chassis is a monocoque structure made from aluminium honeycomb sections with a carbon fibre body assembled around it at the same time. The suspension is hung from tubular structures attached to the main body.

The GT is a big car at nearly 4.5m long and around 2m wide. Nevertheless, the firm claims a kerbweight of around 1350kg.

Interiors finished to order
Interiors finished to order
Lightning are aiming to have the first car ready for evaluation at the end of the year with customer orders being taken for 2008. Not much word on prices yet, but expect a top of the range GTSE to cost circa £150,000.

Can a small company really achieve so much at the cutting edge of technology? We'll be watching...

http://www.lightningcarcompany.com/

Author
Discussion

IPAddis

Original Poster:

2,470 posts

283 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
MD: "Err, you'd better get the styling team to work on this new concept"
Styling Manager: "That's Ok boss, we'll just graft the front end of the Jag F-Type concept onto a Bristol Fighter".

Still, I like it!

Ian A.

alock

4,224 posts

210 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
> Recharging the Lightning takes just 10 minutes.

Surely not through a 13amp socket?

Work-Shy-Wanabe

1,294 posts

225 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
alock said:
> Recharging the Lightning takes just 10 minutes.

Surely not through a 13amp socket?
Cheaper to run than my mobile then?

Goochie

5,663 posts

218 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
"A British car company has unveiled ambitious plans to create a new high performance sportscar " - how many times have we heard that before?

dandarez

13,244 posts

282 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
Quote:
The car has been in very low series production recently with a Mustang Cobra V8 motor...

'very low' series...?

What... one?


Mr Whippy

28,944 posts

240 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
Ronart Lightning...

Looks as good as identical to the one I saw a few years back up near Boston Spa, N.Yorks... think they are based in that area.

Damn good batteries if thats real kinda figures (not all best case lab stuff). Even running them hard and using the energy fast the batteries should be good for 1,000,000 miles, probably 2,000,000 miles if they were used more normally... not bad at all.

Dave

Edited by Mr Whippy on Monday 11th June 16:09

Chris71

21,535 posts

241 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
Looks nice. Not convinced on spending £150,000 on an electric car just yet, but still..... bet it's more fun than a Prius biggrin

Badboy_bazz

148 posts

203 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
alock said:
> Recharging the Lightning takes just 10 minutes.
As long as its hooked up to a flux capacitor or something of the like to the genorator used to bring frankenstein to life!! lol

Edited by Badboy_bazz on Monday 11th June 16:03


Edited by Badboy_bazz on Monday 11th June 16:03

jdelmo

5,107 posts

208 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
Looks good, impressive performance figures too. The 10 minute recharging claim is what gets me though. If that is true, I will be astounded.

JagLover

42,265 posts

234 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
I wonder how much the GT will cost.

annodomini2

6,860 posts

250 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
Their marketing info seems a little contradictory, 'Four 120Kw, permanent magnet brushless motors'

120KW * 4 = 480,000W, 1Bhp = 746w, 480,000 = ~643Bhp not 700.

Now they are a little vague about the battery storage capacity, mentioning 35KW, now I don't know if this is Kw/H, if it is:

60/10 = 6, 6 * 35 = 210Kw, which is the power supply requirements to charge in 10mins, not including losses. The most high power circuits (i.e. cooker or shower) can handle in your home is about 4Kw. So that isn't charging from home, more like your local power station. I doubt even 3-Phase could supply that much power.

Trenchtown

147 posts

218 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
Am I the only one who thinks this is a late april fools joke?

- 700 bhp
- Ten minutes charging
- Battery life expectancy of 12 years

COME ON!!!


Jakdaw

291 posts

209 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
annodomini2 said:
Their marketing info seems a little contradictory, 'Four 120Kw, permanent magnet brushless motors'

120KW * 4 = 480,000W, 1Bhp = 746w, 480,000 = ~643Bhp not 700.
Yep, does seem a little slow - however by comparison most manufacturers talk about engine horsepower - you'll then lose a load through the clutch/gearbox etc - so power through the wheels of this would still be more than a conventional car with a 700 BHP engine.

annodomini2 said:
60/10 = 6, 6 * 35 = 210Kw, which is the power supply requirements to charge in 10mins, not including losses. The most high power circuits (i.e. cooker or shower) can handle in your home is about 4Kw. So that isn't charging from home, more like your local power station. I doubt even 3-Phase could supply that much power.
Sounds like someone got minutes and hours mixed up....


geofflowe

1,678 posts

278 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
I thought Lotus were developing an electric = there is one over in California that cost around £100K less

annodomini2

6,860 posts

250 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
Jakdaw said:
annodomini2 said:
Their marketing info seems a little contradictory, 'Four 120Kw, permanent magnet brushless motors'

120KW * 4 = 480,000W, 1Bhp = 746w, 480,000 = ~643Bhp not 700.
Yep, does seem a little slow - however by comparison most manufacturers talk about engine horsepower - you'll then lose a load through the clutch/gearbox etc - so power through the wheels of this would still be more than a conventional car with a 700 BHP engine.
Never said it was slow, just inaccurrate.

Jakdaw said:
annodomini2 said:
60/10 = 6, 6 * 35 = 210Kw, which is the power supply requirements to charge in 10mins, not including losses. The most high power circuits (i.e. cooker or shower) can handle in your home is about 4Kw. So that isn't charging from home, more like your local power station. I doubt even 3-Phase could supply that much power.
Sounds like someone got minutes and hours mixed up....
60minutes in an hour, think about your comment first.

SLacKer

2,622 posts

206 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
Why can't someone develop an electric car (100% electric not a hybrid) that looks good and goes well without it costing a fortune. Bring it into the range of people who live on this planet. £150,000 what a bargain how about 18k with four seats that maybe looks like an RX8 rather than a GT car. Who the hell uses GT cars anyway (for their original Grand Touring purpose) what a waste of time.

The motors in the hubs sound good but what about 'unsprung weight' and the need to minimise that.

There is no way a mainstream electric car would ever be allowed as if we could charge it overnight at home the treasury can kiss goodbye to the billions in fuel tax and as the electricity is the same as granny uses to heat her 1 bar fire in the depths of winter they cannot tax it in the same way.

Anyway just spotted a life so need to go..... laugh

Mr Whippy

28,944 posts

240 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
Not quite sure if this is where leccy sports cars should start. Nice as it sounds it's alot of money. If I had the money I'd be in something like an LP640 Murc before they are outlawed hehe

Would prefer a super small light car with batteries in-between the wheels on the floor (low polar inertia and CofG), with just two small motors on the back wheels.

Why four motors? Use more copper and add more weight? More cost?

Dave

Beefmeister

16,482 posts

229 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
And please please PH, can we have pictures that are actually BIGGER when you click on them?

Not just the same in a separate window...



As for this car, see below:


andyinPembs

5,568 posts

213 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
How the hell can you have a GT that can only do 250 miles???

Some Grand Tourer! More like a mini pop-out

SLacKer

2,622 posts

206 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
Mr Whippy said:
Would prefer a super small light car with batteries in-between the wheels on the floor (low polar inertia and CofG), with just two small motors on the back wheels.
Yep. You could mount them in a module which could be swapped out in a fuel station for a charged one so no excessive waiting. Develop standards on battery casings for vehicles i.e. small, medium, large which all manufacturers adhere to and away you go. People have been doing it for years with RC cars why not on the big stuff.