Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeyd
Does anybody know if Tesla are using Lotus Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA) and the Aluminium Performance Crossover (APX) in its Tesla model S? If so is Daimler going to show an interest in Lotus?
|
I would bet that we are going to see one of the major automakers looking closely at lotus... Its all about acquiring the tools needed to get the job done. Benz realizes that if they want to build EV's in a serious way then they need access to specific pieces of the technology puzzle to do it practically.
Tesla figures into that because with all they have managed to screw up, they have effectively solved 2 pieces of the puzzle: the battery and drive systems... in other words, tesla has spent the past few years solving the drive and transmission engineering problems so it makes sense for benz to use those pieces rather than take the time and expense to build their own.
The next logical step would be to look at lotus for their experience in lightweight frame and subassemblies... Lotus has far more experience in this area than *any* other manufacturer and has both the design and engineering experience to get the job done... Lotus has sort of been left at the wayside for the past 30 years with their quirky idea of building lighter but now that the push for EV's and small fuel efficient vehicles is in full force I would expect lotus to do quite well in the coming years...