Lotus to create Electric Vehicle [merged] - LotusTalk

Vishus_1 · 01-02-2009, 06:27 AM

Not really surprising but reports are circulating that Lotus is developing their own electric vehicle.

Lotus reportedly working on EV technology

perhaps the next Elise/Exige will not be 4 cyl at all???

chapster5 · 01-02-2009, 06:59 AM

Interesting, but it still says its going to have an engine

but to charge to battery packs, not for the road lol

vfx · 01-02-2009, 07:52 AM

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Quote:

Sports car manufacturer Lotus has announced that it is to produce an electric powered vehicle. The car could be shown for the first time, in concept form, at the Geneva motor show in March.

Lotus chief executive, Michael Kimberley told the Financial Times; "don't be surprised to see an electric Lotus shortly; we are working on the technology that will go behind it".

The move will pitch Lotus against existing electric vehicle manufacturers such as Tesla Motors, for which Lotus currently assembles bodies for its Roadster model, at its Norfolk factory.

Randy Chase · 01-02-2009, 08:03 AM

Hmm... even though I am sure this will be somewhat different than the Tesla Roadster since the Lotus will be a hybrid instead of an all electric, I wonder what this means for Tesla. Regardless of the difference, the perception for most will not be that different and if you are shopping for a Lotus-like roadster that runs on batteries, this would compete directly with Tesla.

And comparing Tesla and Lotus, one company has been around a lot longer. One supplies the other. One has more service and dealerships. And assuming they can bring the Lotus in at a better price (I would expect that), then I would think that this could really cut into sales of the Tesla. Again, regardless of merit, it is about perception.

Even before they bring it out.. if they show something promising this spring, some people may elect to wait for the Lotus.

And if sales of the Roadster drop, how will Tesla become financially solvent and then fund the next car's development?

vfx · 01-02-2009, 08:13 AM

Here's another.
Lotus plans their own electric sports car | GlobalMotors.net

I would agree, everything that makes the Tesla Roaster a wicked driving sports car came from Lotus.
On the other hand Tesla has made huge jumps in the battery, Controller and Motor tech . They hired the best experts in the world and have 17 patents.

Chris Mackey · 01-02-2009, 08:21 AM

It would be odd to me if the companies didn't have a non-compete agreement to the effect that Lotus could not benefit from the knowledge gained while making and designing Teslas.

Randy Chase · 01-02-2009, 08:25 AM

Just thinking out loud, but most non-competes have a time limitation. Perhaps if there was one, it will be running out soon. That contract, if it exists, was signed some time ago... Tesla was delayed. If Lotus has a car in 2011 or 2012... it maybe after some expiration.

Or maybe there never was a contract to non-compete.

Randy Chase · 01-02-2009, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vfx

On the other hand Tesla has made huge jumps in the battery, Controller and Motor tech . They hired the best experts in the world and have 17 patents.

Yep, but marketing perception trumps that. People out shopping cars don't really care (mostly) that the Lotus Elise is powered by an engine from Yamaha. I know Tesla has fought the perception, but for most people.... they still see the roadster as an electric Elise.

RWLott · 01-02-2009, 08:31 AM

I think I already own one. The battery maintainer has been plugged in now for over a month.

SweetDaddyD · 01-02-2009, 08:50 AM

Lotus performance and 300-400 mile range would be awesome!
They are perfect company to pull something like this off, and with an actual dealer network I could see it being successful. The biggest hitch is probably just lack of interest right now due to low fuel prices. Not that I think they will stay low in the long term, and viable alternative fuel vehicle technology really does need to be developed.

I would fully expect a Tesla lawsuit if they announce a product. But then again Tesla's lawsuit against Fisker didn't really work out so well so who knows with dwindling funds how lawsuit aggressive they will be against any other company developing electric cars.

Then again Telsa may possibly even see a small benefit if Lotus puts out a "competing" car. If they hold some sort of patent on a part that will need to be used and can collect royalties on it. I could see them in the future being more viable as a technology licenser than an actual vehicle manufacturer. I think that is where their success will lie if they stick around.

Model S is looking like hype and vapor ware. No plant to produce it, and plans for a plant now put on hold according to recent news. If they ever do get an "affordable" product to market, the advantage of the timing jump of them kickstarting the electric car market will be gone and competition from "real" car companies (with established brands, history, dealer networks, ability to service around the country, etc) will be in the market. Eventually Toyota, Honda, Merc. etc will have a car out there. The Volt? Well....eventually Toyota, Honda, Merc, etc will have a car out there.

Kudo's for Tesla though for getting the electric car ball rolling again. Just like if Diamond didn't pioneer the Rio MP3 player 10 years ago we probably wouldn't have $100 Apple iPods now. I guess the electric car thing is a little different though, since they were a force well over 100 years ago, and there have been a few recent stabs in the past decade or so with limited volumes, and lots were in the making. (I drove an Electric Ford Ranger once at Fords Alt. Fuel development center) I still stand by what I've typed many times here before- If GM didn't sell their battery patents to Chevron/Texaco we'd have plenty of Electric cars on the roads today. It's a shame they killed real cars like the Toyota Rav4 electric. The only real serious contender that was offered for general sale and not on some clowny lease program. (I expect the Volt if it ever materializes will be on as lame a program as the EV1 was)

Lotus is the PERFECT company to put a product like that on the mass market and with all their technical achievements I've often wondered why they haven't. Tesla looked like an amazing idea on paper. But 5 years, 4 CEOs, and 100 cars later, along with layoffs by blog posts, lost lawsuits, closed shop in Detroit where supposedly the model S was being developed, no plant to build the next car, trans issues, limited range without a viable backup solution (fuel), the continually running coolant pump issues that drain them as posted by the founders blog, disgruntled employees exposing their financial problems, rumors of them being extremely slow to pay suppliers for proprietary parts, laying off workers in Hethel who make the cars while over 1000 people wait on them, skipping people in the wait line to sell cars direct for more money, begging for goverment money, a poor Top Gear review with crap range overheated motor and brake failure, and real competition on the horizon- the execution isn't looking so hot anymore.

LotusLamberti · 01-02-2009, 09:04 AM

check out the story here

vfx · 01-02-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

Yep, but marketing perception trumps that. People out shopping cars don't really care (mostly) that the Lotus Elise is powered by an engine from Yamaha. I know Tesla has fought the perception, but for most people.... they still see the roadster as an electric Elise.

Agreed. So the that leaves people who have other priorities than "established maker". Those could be "buy American", or "first adopter", or "greenest" and then the normal car buying reasons like styling, 0-60 and top speed, run distance, safety, availability, etc. etc.

andrewgotanelise · 01-02-2009, 09:41 AM

interesting

tsunami racer · 01-02-2009, 09:53 AM

they need put the electric powerplant in that APX crossover or a sedan/coupe/hatch instead of perpetuating that silly notion that "enthusiasts" want a noiseless electric sports car.

leave internal combustion and a real manual transmission in their "core" cars but offer environmentally sound and practical cars to round out their consumer offerings and demonstrate their engineering abilities.

heck, i'm sure all of us would buy an extended range electric Lotus crossover SUV or sedan daily driver to park next to our internal combustion "real" Lotus sportscars. i know i would

SweetDaddyD · 01-02-2009, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

Even before they bring it out.. if they show something promising this spring, some people may elect to wait for the Lotus.

And if sales of the Roadster drop, how will Tesla become financially solvent and then fund the next car's development?

What if it comes out and by that time you have guys that have been waiting on their Tesla for 4 years. It's no longer the newest thing, they are fed up, and well the other car is a Lotus- a car with a history and dealer network. I don't know how their contract is but if they can get out of it I could see some of those guys dropping their order.

Randy Chase · 01-02-2009, 10:17 AM

One more link
Lotus set to challenge Tesla and Fisker with extended range EV - AutoblogGreen

wallabyguy · 01-02-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsunami racer

they need put the electric powerplant in that APX crossover or a sedan/coupe/hatch instead of perpetuating that silly notion that "enthusiasts" want a noiseless electric sports car.

leave internal combustion and a real manual transmission in their "core" cars but offer environmentally sound and practical cars to round out their consumer offerings and demonstrate their engineering abilities.

heck, i'm sure all of us would buy an extended range electric Lotus crossover SUV or sedan daily driver to park next to our internal combustion "real" Lotus sportscars. i know i would

The APX went top ZAP and was converted into an electric concpet. They have it on their site. It was supposed to be in production by now but nothing has happened as of yet. It would be a very interesting option for Lotus enthusiasts as a daily driver.

wallabyguy · 01-02-2009, 10:43 AM

I just went to Zap's web site and the vehicle is gone? I wonder if Lotus took it back and is moving forward with it on their own? It uses the VVA architecture. See this:

Zap! and Lotus Team Up to Create the Zap-X: 350 Miles and 155 Mph on a 10 Minute Charge : TreeHugger

...m... · 01-02-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

And if sales of the Roadster drop, how will Tesla become financially solvent and then fund the next car's development?

...heck, how will tesla deliver the cars they've already sold?..that's the big risk with ponzi VC schemes...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

I know Tesla has fought the perception, but for most people.... they still see the roadster as an electric Elise.

...i disagree - most of us may see the tesla as an electric elise, but the general public, probably including most of their halo customers, perceives the tesla as entirely developed and manufactured in-house...

lotuscar · 01-02-2009, 06:53 PM

HETHEL, England — British sports car maker Lotus will build a battery-powered performance car, according to a Thursday report in the Financial Times.

The technology used in the Lotus car will be similar to that in the Chevrolet Volt, with a fuel-powered range extender that works after the battery charge has depleted. The car is reportedly expected to achieve 300 to 400 miles on a single tank of gas.

The Financial Times quoted chief executive Michael Kimberley as saying: "Don't be surprised to see an electric Lotus shortly. We are working on the technologies that will go behind it."

Lotus already has some experience with electric cars. The company currently builds bodies for the Tesla Roadster, which is based on the Lotus Elise, and has also consulted with Chrysler on a Dodge electric vehicle.

The Lotus electric will likely compete with the Tesla Roadster and the Fisker Karma. Fisker Automotive has said its Karma plug-in hybrid will go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2009.

01-02-2009, 06:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
Vishus_1 Super charged! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,038 Images: 62	Lotus to create Electric Vehicle [merged] Not really surprising but reports are circulating that Lotus is developing their own electric vehicle. Lotus reportedly working on EV technology perhaps the next Elise/Exige will not be 4 cyl at all???

01-02-2009, 06:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
chapster5 Photochopper Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Merseyside, UK Posts: 2,639 Images: 6	Interesting, but it still says its going to have an engine but to charge to battery packs, not for the road lol __________________ http://www.chuforiagraphics.com/ FOR ALL YOUR GRAPHICS NEEDS CONTACT KEITH ON: sweetdaddydelicious (AT) hotmail (DOT) com

01-02-2009, 08:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	Hmm... even though I am sure this will be somewhat different than the Tesla Roadster since the Lotus will be a hybrid instead of an all electric, I wonder what this means for Tesla. Regardless of the difference, the perception for most will not be that different and if you are shopping for a Lotus-like roadster that runs on batteries, this would compete directly with Tesla. And comparing Tesla and Lotus, one company has been around a lot longer. One supplies the other. One has more service and dealerships. And assuming they can bring the Lotus in at a better price (I would expect that), then I would think that this could really cut into sales of the Tesla. Again, regardless of merit, it is about perception. Even before they bring it out.. if they show something promising this spring, some people may elect to wait for the Lotus. And if sales of the Roadster drop, how will Tesla become financially solvent and then fund the next car's development? __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! 2006 Noble M400. Getrag tranny, Quaiffe LSD, Hinged clams. Duratec dual turbo V6. Hoosier 315-18 tires. 2350 pounds. Over 500hp. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Wing. Black leather/Alcantara with orange stitching. The street car. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle.

01-02-2009, 08:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
Chris Mackey Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,587	It would be odd to me if the companies didn't have a non-compete agreement to the effect that Lotus could not benefit from the knowledge gained while making and designing Teslas. __________________ 2006 Elise, Ardent Red, Black Pack, LSS wheels, shocks and springs. ChuforiaGraffix.com SDD Lives On! SweetDaddyDelicious(at)hotmail(dot)com

01-02-2009, 08:25 AM	#7 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	Just thinking out loud, but most non-competes have a time limitation. Perhaps if there was one, it will be running out soon. That contract, if it exists, was signed some time ago... Tesla was delayed. If Lotus has a car in 2011 or 2012... it maybe after some expiration. Or maybe there never was a contract to non-compete. __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! 2006 Noble M400. Getrag tranny, Quaiffe LSD, Hinged clams. Duratec dual turbo V6. Hoosier 315-18 tires. 2350 pounds. Over 500hp. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Wing. Black leather/Alcantara with orange stitching. The street car. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle.

01-02-2009, 08:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
vfx Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 32	Here's another. Lotus plans their own electric sports car \| GlobalMotors.net I would agree, everything that makes the Tesla Roaster a wicked driving sports car came from Lotus. On the other hand Tesla has made huge jumps in the battery, Controller and Motor tech . They hired the best experts in the world and have 17 patents.

01-02-2009, 08:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
RWLott BBeauty Join Date: May 2006 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 205	electric Lotus I think I already own one. The battery maintainer has been plugged in now for over a month.

01-02-2009, 08:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
SweetDaddyD BANNED Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 7,644 Images: 2	Lotus performance and 300-400 mile range would be awesome! They are perfect company to pull something like this off, and with an actual dealer network I could see it being successful. The biggest hitch is probably just lack of interest right now due to low fuel prices. Not that I think they will stay low in the long term, and viable alternative fuel vehicle technology really does need to be developed. I would fully expect a Tesla lawsuit if they announce a product. But then again Tesla's lawsuit against Fisker didn't really work out so well so who knows with dwindling funds how lawsuit aggressive they will be against any other company developing electric cars. Then again Telsa may possibly even see a small benefit if Lotus puts out a "competing" car. If they hold some sort of patent on a part that will need to be used and can collect royalties on it. I could see them in the future being more viable as a technology licenser than an actual vehicle manufacturer. I think that is where their success will lie if they stick around. Model S is looking like hype and vapor ware. No plant to produce it, and plans for a plant now put on hold according to recent news. If they ever do get an "affordable" product to market, the advantage of the timing jump of them kickstarting the electric car market will be gone and competition from "real" car companies (with established brands, history, dealer networks, ability to service around the country, etc) will be in the market. Eventually Toyota, Honda, Merc. etc will have a car out there. The Volt? Well....eventually Toyota, Honda, Merc, etc will have a car out there. Kudo's for Tesla though for getting the electric car ball rolling again. Just like if Diamond didn't pioneer the Rio MP3 player 10 years ago we probably wouldn't have $100 Apple iPods now. I guess the electric car thing is a little different though, since they were a force well over 100 years ago, and there have been a few recent stabs in the past decade or so with limited volumes, and lots were in the making. (I drove an Electric Ford Ranger once at Fords Alt. Fuel development center) I still stand by what I've typed many times here before- If GM didn't sell their battery patents to Chevron/Texaco we'd have plenty of Electric cars on the roads today. It's a shame they killed real cars like the Toyota Rav4 electric. The only real serious contender that was offered for general sale and not on some clowny lease program. (I expect the Volt if it ever materializes will be on as lame a program as the EV1 was) Lotus is the PERFECT company to put a product like that on the mass market and with all their technical achievements I've often wondered why they haven't. Tesla looked like an amazing idea on paper. But 5 years, 4 CEOs, and 100 cars later, along with layoffs by blog posts, lost lawsuits, closed shop in Detroit where supposedly the model S was being developed, no plant to build the next car, trans issues, limited range without a viable backup solution (fuel), the continually running coolant pump issues that drain them as posted by the founders blog, disgruntled employees exposing their financial problems, rumors of them being extremely slow to pay suppliers for proprietary parts, laying off workers in Hethel who make the cars while over 1000 people wait on them, skipping people in the wait line to sell cars direct for more money, begging for goverment money, a poor Top Gear review with crap range overheated motor and brake failure, and real competition on the horizon- the execution isn't looking so hot anymore. Last edited by SweetDaddyD : 01-03-2009 at 09:21 PM.

01-02-2009, 09:04 AM	#11 (permalink)
LotusLamberti Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 28	Lotus announces plans for electric vehicle check out the story here

01-02-2009, 09:41 AM	#13 (permalink)
andrewgotanelise MMA Fighter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Where the drugs are cheap and the girls are easy Posts: 1,208	interesting __________________ 05 NFB Elise / Katana SC / No Snorkle / 3.2 "10" psi pulley / Stage 1 Exhaust / Decat / Green Filter

01-02-2009, 09:53 AM	#14 (permalink)
tsunami racer Dinky Plastic Car Owner Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Marina Del Rey, CA Posts: 638	they need put the electric powerplant in that APX crossover or a sedan/coupe/hatch instead of perpetuating that silly notion that "enthusiasts" want a noiseless electric sports car. leave internal combustion and a real manual transmission in their "core" cars but offer environmentally sound and practical cars to round out their consumer offerings and demonstrate their engineering abilities. heck, i'm sure all of us would buy an extended range electric Lotus crossover SUV or sedan daily driver to park next to our internal combustion "real" Lotus sportscars. i know i would __________________ 2007 EXIGE S - Nightfall/Black 2007 Lotus Elise (sold) 2004 Subaru STi (sold) 1989 Metro Bus Pass (sold) 1984 BMX Dirt Bike (sold) 1979 Big Wheel (sold)

01-02-2009, 10:17 AM	#16 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	One more link Lotus set to challenge Tesla and Fisker with extended range EV - AutoblogGreen __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! 2006 Noble M400. Getrag tranny, Quaiffe LSD, Hinged clams. Duratec dual turbo V6. Hoosier 315-18 tires. 2350 pounds. Over 500hp. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Wing. Black leather/Alcantara with orange stitching. The street car. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle.

01-02-2009, 10:43 AM	#18 (permalink)
wallabyguy Not Dead Yet Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 5,896	I just went to Zap's web site and the vehicle is gone? I wonder if Lotus took it back and is moving forward with it on their own? It uses the VVA architecture. See this: Zap! and Lotus Team Up to Create the Zap-X: 350 Miles and 155 Mph on a 10 Minute Charge : TreeHugger __________________ former Lotus Sales Robert (aka Sith Lord of LBL) 74 Elite 502 05 Elise (Snuffalupagous..RIP : Laser Blue, Black Leather, Touring Pack, Hardtop ) The Wallaby Will Ride Again

01-02-2009, 06:53 PM	#20 (permalink)
lotuscar Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 462	Lotus to build E.V. HETHEL, England — British sports car maker Lotus will build a battery-powered performance car, according to a Thursday report in the Financial Times. The technology used in the Lotus car will be similar to that in the Chevrolet Volt, with a fuel-powered range extender that works after the battery charge has depleted. The car is reportedly expected to achieve 300 to 400 miles on a single tank of gas. The Financial Times quoted chief executive Michael Kimberley as saying: "Don't be surprised to see an electric Lotus shortly. We are working on the technologies that will go behind it." Lotus already has some experience with electric cars. The company currently builds bodies for the Tesla Roadster, which is based on the Lotus Elise, and has also consulted with Chrysler on a Dodge electric vehicle. The Lotus electric will likely compete with the Tesla Roadster and the Fisker Karma. Fisker Automotive has said its Karma plug-in hybrid will go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2009.

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