UK: Lightning Car Company to build 700HP all-electric GT

[abdulhakeem]

Jun 12th 2007

Lightning Car Company from the UK has created a new all-electric sports car called the GT that melds the front end of an E-Type Jag, the profile of a Marcos, and the back end of a TVR. Under the skin sits the same Altairnano batteries that power the Phoenix SUT and the PML wheel motors that power the 640-hp electric MINI. The Lightning GT, however, boasts up to 700 hp. Three models are expected to be offered including a luxury version, a lightweight sports version that can reach 60 mph in less than four seconds and an extended range model that can go the distance, as long as that's within 250 miles. The Lightning GT is expected to be available in 2008, though orders are being taken now. Is it a Tesla Roadster slayer? We've yet to see a green-minded coachbuilder tackle the development process with the same gusto and capital as Tesla, so while the GT's specs are impressive, we'll wait until AutoblogGreen actually drives one before taking away the Tesla's crown.

Update: There are now some more technical details, pricing and availability info over at ABG. (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/06/13/more-details-on-the-lightning-gt-not-here-and-not-cheap/)

[Source: Lightning Car Company via AutoblogGreen]

photo gallery (http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/lightning-gt/)

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/12/lightning-car-company-to-build-nanosafe-powered-gt/

[abdulhakeem]

Electric British GT claims 521kW

June 14, 2007
Reuters

A small British car company has ambitious plans to build a high-performance electric sports car.

The Lightning Car Company GT is powered by four, hub-mounted electric motors which create a massive 521kW (700bhp) when combined, the company claims.

Each motor can generate a maximum of 722Nm torque at the wheel from very low revs.

Until recently the Lightning chassis has been fitted with a Mustang Cobra V8 engine and produced in very small numbers but now the company will refocus on electric cars only.

Three models will be produced; the regular GT, the lightweight GTS which should hit 100km/h in under four seconds, and the long-range GTSE which can go for over 400km miles between charges.

Recharging the Lightning is reported to take just ten minutes thanks to its advanced, more durable 'Nanosafe' batteries - the product of over ten years development by a company called Altairnano Ltd.

The Lightning also uses a kind of regenerative braking, reversing its electric motor and turning it into a generator to recharge the batteries under deceleration.

With its 1960s British GT looks, the Lightning could make an impact - provided such a small company can live up to such lofty claims.

The first experimental cars are meant to be ready for evaluation by the end of this year.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/9/story.cfm?c_id=9&objectid=10445675

[Abandoned-Mind]

Speed....what a nice addition to life.

[abdulhakeem]

Lightning GT

15.06.2007

Bad news for Tesla - a British car company has announced the GT, a premium electric sports car.

The Lightning Car Company has been developing a range of 700 bhp Lightning electric cars, conceived to satisfy three essential criteria. Namely to deliver a highly stylised, graceful sports car with cues hinting at the quintessential British treatment of Aston Martin or TVR while delivering high performance based on new breakthrough electric technologies.

The Lightning began life as a traditionally powered petrol vehicle in order to develop the car's chassis dynamics. It combines high performance electric motive power with an advanced regenerative energy system that recharges the car's batteries under braking by capturing lost friction energy. The Lightning's use of this technology enables the range of the car to be extended to over 250 miles/400km.

The as yet unverified performance figures are impressive. Lightning expect the car to have a 0-60 time of sub 4 seconds and a ten minute charge time to sustain a 250 mile range. The ownership costs of the Lightning range are also set to be significantly lower than traditional fossil fuelled vehicles, with exemption from road tax, congestion charging and an urban cycle energy cost estimated at 2.2p per mile. Thus, the Lightning could be as much as £10,000 per year cheaper to run than a Audi RS4 based on an average 20,000 miles of motoring. At an estimated £150,000, some might say it will need to be.

There are 3 Lightning models planned, a Grand Tourer which maintains a depth of luxury and specification; the Lightning Sport is the GT's lightweight, purposeful cousin, with the ability to achieve 0-60 in under 4 seconds. The third Lightning will be an extended range model, with the capability of reaching an estimated 250 miles on a single 10 minute charge.

The electric Lightning prototypes are now in development and pre-orders are being taken for 2008 delivery.

http://www.newcarnet.co.uk/Auto_preview.html?id=6937