Lotus Range Extender

This week’s Geneva show brought a production-ready version of the company’s range-extending motor/generator setup and the announcement that Lotus developed the powertrain for Rolls-Royce’s Phantom EV.

Announced in late 2009, the three-cylinder range extender has now sprouted a supercharged variant and is ready for sale to automakers as a drop-in solution for EV battery charging. Lotus is able to use a simple two-valve-per-cylinder design since the motor is designed for use in an optimized speed range. This, along with the integrated intake and exhaust manifolds, helps keep weight down. Power from the 1.3-liter engine is rated at 47 hp at 3500 rpm for the naturally aspirated model and 67 hp for the supercharged version. Both drive a generator supplied by Fagor Automation, providing power for the batteries of the OEM’s choosing. In Geneva, Lotus showed the system installed in its Evora 414Evolution hybrid concept.

Lotus Esprit

Why it matters: It’s a mid-engine, aluminum supercar designed to take on Ferrari and Lamborghini. Lotus’s move upmarket is a huge gamble for the brand.

Platform: A new alloy structure that shares a number of components with its somewhat less extreme sister model, the Lotus Elan.

Powertrain: Mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive platform with a V-8 engine of as-yet-undetermined origin. The V-8 is expected to make about 550 horsepower; a hybrid system should lift output to 620 horsepower.

Competition: Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche 911 Turbo.

What might go wrong: Everything. This is Lotus, after all. Minor elements such as the source of the engine are still up in the air.

Estimated arrival and price: Lotus says the Esprit will appear in dealerships in early 2013 at a price of
about $175,000.

2011 Lotus Exige V6

And we got the news earlier this … which is more than obvious: Lotus piecework now at the launch of the Evora, while preparing the Esprit, the Evora convertible, the Elise and Exige. Will they be able to cope with so much work?

Then think so, because according to previous information, the Hethel company plans to start producing in 2012 the next generation of its legendary mid-engine roadster. The replacement of the M-111, El Salvador in the house created by Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman, is expected to frame an evolution of extruded aluminum, better designed, with a slightly larger size, while maintaining the lightness, and thrusters Toyota’s latest generation.

Demands for variant even expect a dual-clutch box, and a 100% electric version of Lotus itself is also on the planning table. We make your mouth water!

Chevrolet is joining the electric revolution the Cruze saloon

Chevrolet is joining the electric revolution. The firm is set to introduce a fleet of demonstration electric models in South Korea, based on the Cruze saloon.

The project is due to begin by the end of October, and is a partnership between GM and electronics firm LG. Much like Audi’s A1 e-tron data gathering exercise which begins in Munich shortly, GM’s electric Cruze’s will be used to gather data about how real world users take to driving cars powered purely by electricity.

The Cruze EVs will have a 31kW/h battery pack, made by LG Chem, which allows a range of up to 100 miles. The car’s electric motor gives respectable performance, with 0-62mph taking 8.2 seconds and a top speed of 103mph.

Charging takes between 8 and 10 hours, although part of the project is to see how well a new quick charge system works when subjected to day-to-day use.

Chevrolet Cruze starts at $16,995

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, the next significant salvo into the small-car segment, will arrive in September with a base price of just $16,995.

The Cruze, which rides on General Motors' global small-car underpinnings called Delta, is the company's most important small vehicle in years. It features a fuel-efficient powertrain, a relatively handsome appearance and long option list. The car ultimately replaces the Cobalt in Chevy's lineup. Production of that model ends in June. It starts at $14,990.

The base price is for the 1.8-liter Ecotec four-cylinder with a six-speed manual transmission. Electronic stability control, power windows and locks and traction control are standard. It also comes with six months of OnStar service and a three-month XM satellite radio subscription.

The LT, which upgrades to the 1.4-liter Ecotec turbo with a six-speed automatic and 16-inch wheels, is $18,895.

For the same price, buyers can also opt for the Cruze Eco model, which GM says can get up to 40 mpg on the highway. It pairs the 1.4-liter turbo engine with a six-speed manual and features 17-inch alloy wheels, low-rolling-resistance tires and an enhanced aerodynamics package.

The LTZ trim is $22,695 and adds leather, a six-way power driver's seat, Bluetooth, automatic climate control and 18-inch alloy wheels. Power is drawn from the turbo unit working in tandem with the six-speed automatic.

All prices include destination charges.

The long list of options includes a 40-gig hard drive, heated lather seats, upgraded audio and an RS appearance pack.