Geneva Motor Show: Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid Concept

The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid concept has been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. Based on Evora's platform, the 414E Hybrid concept is meant as a showcase of Lotus' hybrid technology, as well as Evora's chassis architecture, to fellow automakers which could be interested in buying.

As previously announced, the 414E Hybrid concept is powered by a plug-in series hybrid drivetrain. Power comes from two electric motors, one on each rear wheel, with each motor producing 204 bhp or 207 hp (hence the 414 name) and 400 Nm. Integrated into a common transmission housing, a single-speed reduction transmission allows for torque vectoring between the two rear wheels.

Electrical power is stored in a lithium ion battery pack that can be recharged either by using a common household plug or through the 47-bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder Lotus Range Extender petrol engine.

0-96 km/h takes less than four seconds. Running on a fully-charged battery pack alone, the 414E Hybrid concept has a range of 56 km, which is extended to more than 480 km with the Lotus Range Extender petrol engine recharging the batteries.

Like most hybrids, the 414E Hybrid concept is near-silent on the move, which explains the point of Lotus' HALOsonic, a system that simulates four engine sounds for the driver's pleasure while providing an audible warning to nearby pedestrians. Also interesting is the Sport mode that simulates a seven-speed transmission.