RE: Driven: Lotus Evora 414E
Discussion
kambites said:
Which is fine, until petrol is £10 a litre ten year's time.
In South Africa, electricity costs are going to double in 3 years. We know this because the state-regulated supplier has tabled a proposal for this exact thing, which is likely to go through. I suspect that petrol costs will not quite double in this time. Is there any reason to believe the situation in the UK will be that petrol costs rise whilst electricity costs do not?Hi guys, here's hoping I can clear up a few things:
- Lotus claims a total range of 300 miles, with 30 of it being EV (there really isn't a lot of space in the back which must prevent a larger fuel tank going in)
- They have made a supercharged version of the range-extender, which takes the 1.2 48 to 68hp. I'm not as hot on hybrid tech as I should be, but presumably this can deliver more power to the generator and make more electric?
- Lotus are working on a simulated paddleshift to try and deliver a more engaging drive. It would work in conjunction with a torque interruption to the motors and the regenerative braking to get realistic pauses in the acceleration and deceleration.
- Lotus claims a total range of 300 miles, with 30 of it being EV (there really isn't a lot of space in the back which must prevent a larger fuel tank going in)
- They have made a supercharged version of the range-extender, which takes the 1.2 48 to 68hp. I'm not as hot on hybrid tech as I should be, but presumably this can deliver more power to the generator and make more electric?
- Lotus are working on a simulated paddleshift to try and deliver a more engaging drive. It would work in conjunction with a torque interruption to the motors and the regenerative braking to get realistic pauses in the acceleration and deceleration.
Carfolio said:
In South Africa, electricity costs are going to double in 3 years. We know this because the state-regulated supplier has tabled a proposal for this exact thing, which is likely to go through. I suspect that petrol costs will not quite double in this time. Is there any reason to believe the situation in the UK will be that petrol costs rise whilst electricity costs do not?
Now look at the absolute cost per unit energy.And who cares anyway? If electricity rises dramatically you can still run this on 100% petrol and it will still be getting on for twice as efficient as a petrol-only Evora of similar performance.
The Crack Fox said:
Lotus and electric vehicles in the same thread ?
Lotus have been at the forefront of range extender technology for years.For me, this is the perfect use of range extender technology. It'd be nice if they offered it with a smaller battery pack weighing 150kg less, though.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 16th October 15:23
I think range extender with electric motor drive is a really interesting bit of technology. The batteries act as a kind of energy buffer with the range extender engine right? I wonder if it'd be better if it had less batteries (less weight), and relied on the range extender motor a bit more. I hope lotus do well with this.
kambites said:
Flatinfourth said:
the fact remains that it takes a given amount of energy to move an object of a given weight, with a given drag co-efficient. if this car had a tiny forced induction engine it could maintain incredible fuel economy when not under hard acceleration,and could go like fury on demand. rather than an electric vehicle that has to drag its batteries around regardless. The physics and green argument simply do not stand up.
So you think driving the wheels directly from an ICE at 20% efficiency is better than charging a battery from one at 40% efficiency and driving an electric motor at 90% efficiency? 
Driving the wheels of a vehicle directly from an internal combustion engine is completely and utterly stupid.
Richard A said:
Sounds like you've invented perpetual motion there. Can't think why they're not all doing it, i.e. loading up an extra half ton's worth of generator + batteries + motor and getting rid of those rubbish inefficient direct mechanical linkages.
Why is getting 36% of the energy you put in back out again, perpetual motion? It's a long way from even 100% efficiency, it's just a lot closer to it than most cars. Nothing to do with losses in the linkage losses, just the fact that petrol engines are appalling when running at anything other than wide open throttle and/or when engineered to run at more than one speed.
Can't believe I am going to say this, but I think I would rather see a hyper efficient diesel engine in a sports car than a hybrid. Hasn't hurt a certain team at Le Mans.
As mentioned various times already in this thread, the technology just doesn't add up at the moment on many levels. Benefits do not outway the draw backs in my view at all.
The only hybrid tech I have seen that does make some snese to me is the Porsche System developed by Williams, the flywheel system. Very different idea than batteries.
http://www.williamshybridpower.com/applications/po...
As mentioned various times already in this thread, the technology just doesn't add up at the moment on many levels. Benefits do not outway the draw backs in my view at all.
The only hybrid tech I have seen that does make some snese to me is the Porsche System developed by Williams, the flywheel system. Very different idea than batteries.
http://www.williamshybridpower.com/applications/po...
Richard A said:
Can't think why they're not all doing it, i.e. loading up an extra half ton's worth of generator + batteries + motor and getting rid of those rubbish inefficient direct mechanical linkages.
Probably because those rubbish inefficient direct mechanical linkages are a damn sight cheaper than the currently extremely low volume, high tech prototype componentry that is being demonstrated here.hornetrider said:
Captain Muppet said:
hornetrider said:
1800kgs is heavier than my E38 728i.
Just sayin'.
Your 45mpg, 414bhp 728?Just sayin'.
Just sayin'.
PH said:
The rest of the driving experience feels as well calibrated as we expect of any Lotus, with plenty of poise and feedback through the wheel.
Matt Bird said:
- They have made a supercharged version of the range-extender, which takes the 1.2 48 to 68hp. I'm not as hot on hybrid tech as I should be, but presumably this can deliver more power to the generator and make more electric?
It means the maximum cruising speed would be increased as with REEVs above a certain speed the power demand exceeds the maximum output of the generator and the battery starts to be depleted. If you raise the power output then you raise the speed at which the car can run indefinitely (of course fuel dependent) without depleting the battery.The battery would also last longer during very hard driving as in these circumstances the generator is effectively supplying the average power demand.
The tradeoff would be the same as adding forced induction to or increasing capacity of any conventional vehicle.
The Crack Fox said:
Captain Muppet said:
The Crack Fox said:
many potential Lotus Engineering customers genuinely said "yeah, I'll have some engineering consultancy please"
Edited with a basic understanding of what engineering demonstrators are for.PH said:
Finally, it is worth noting the Evora 414E is not intended as production concept; the car is a showcase for the technology developed as part of the tie-up, to display to the world that Lotus can develop hybrid powertrains. Now it hopes to outsource these skills, to profit from what they've learnt by installing the tech into the products of other manufacturers.
Captain Muppet said:
hornetrider said:
Captain Muppet said:
hornetrider said:
1800kgs is heavier than my E38 728i.
Just sayin'.
Your 45mpg, 414bhp 728?Just sayin'.
Just sayin'.
PH said:
The rest of the driving experience feels as well calibrated as we expect of any Lotus, with plenty of poise and feedback through the wheel.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/lotus/evora/fi... - "the Evora’s trademark poise, delicacy and balance is hardly troubled"
or another:
http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/lotus-evora-414e-r... - "The instant zip is a thrill, and is made all the more enjoyable because the Evora corners so enthusiastically"
or another:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/lotus/evora/60642/lot... - "The steering is well weighted, and aside from the eerie quietness the 414E feels exactly like a standard Evora"
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