There've been turbulent times at Lotus currently. One week sees the announcement that the
Elise will make it to the US, the next we're seeing lay offs in Norfolk as the
economic downturn hits production. This week, they bring us news that they're
planning a diesel sports car! Don't despair yet, if there's one company that can
make diesels exciting, it's Lotus!
The Geneva motor show in a couple of weeks will see the launch of Lotus
Engineering's latest project: 'ECO2s'
(pronounced ECOS). The long term project will establish a number of new
techniques to reduce emissions and body weight with the ultimate goal of an
environmentally friendly sports car. The Elise has recently been highlighted as
a top choice for company car drivers due to its light weight and low emissions -
an issue of increasing importance to private motorists and fleets alike.
Using
the latest technology in both the vehicle and powertrain engineering, Lotus
Engineering are to demonstrate that an ultra-low CO2 level of 75g/km can be
achieved without sacrificing performance. Projections show that 'ECO
s'
may even exceed today's Elise in terms of vehicle performance, whilst delivering
superior economy and reduced emissions.
The graph below shows vehicle performance against CO2 emissions. It
demonstrates how performance usually comes at a price - the environment.
To achieve its goal, Lotus will be utilising the following technologies:
- Light weight bonded and riveted aluminium vehicle structure
- First stage composite energy absorbing crush cells
- Recyclability promoted by using CF/TP Matrix
- Second stage metallic crush cell, giving linear energy absorption
characteristics with low mass
- Dual Injection Thermoplastic Composite body panels with in mould colouring
- Chassis of lightweight construction, consisting of a mixture of forging
and dual-plate steel components. Double wishbone front, multilink rear.
- Metal Matrix Composite brake discs (first seen on the Elise in 1996)
- 42 volt electrical system
- 1.2l turbo DI diesel engine!
- close-coupled acoustic shields
- 4-valve per cylinder camless valve operation
- multishot, very high pressure common rail fuel injection
- Active DeNOx technology with particulate trap
- Low level series hybrid drive giving automatic stop/start and transient
torque boost
- Two mode Continuously Variable Transmission
- Active Noise Control - to retain that 'Sports Car Noise'
Performance targets are 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 200km/h
(124mph).
The
increasingly harsh environmental contraints and requirements for manufacturers
to make their vehicles easier to recycle are imposing hefty burdens on
manufacturers. Lotus engineering are on the case and taking a long term view in
order to squeeze the best out of their cars by 2010 and to establish the best
techniques for their consultancy work for other manufacturers.
Let's hope the additional constraints don't detract sports car makers from
doing what they do best - producing exciting, good looking and desirable cars.
Lotus must now give the diesel engine a sexy new image...
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