Lightning GT
Encyclopedia
The Lightning GT is a battery-electric
sports car
under development by the Lightning Car Company
, in Peterborough and due for release in 2012. Over the last 2 years while the project team has been productionising the concept design, a showcar has attracted critical acclaim at leading automotive and environmental exhibitions around Europe such as; the Geneva Motor Show, the Hannover Messe, the Low Carbon Vehicle Show at Milbrook and the Prince of Wales’ Eco Garden Party at Clarence House. The car is now being engineered as a highly exclusive British built supercar, with production volumes being limited to 250 cars per annum. Engineering prototypes are currently under construction and an investment funding opportunity exists (refer to the company’s Chairman Iain Sanderson at the Lightning Car Company Ltd direct). The engineering and production launch plan is timed to support first deliveries to customers in early 2012.
The Lightning GT accelerates to 97 km/h (60.3 mph) in less than 5 seconds and has a recommended top speed
of 200 km/h (124.3 mph). ‘Conscientious exhilaration’ is the term coined by the company to describe a driver’s experience of the continuous surge of power and performance the car can deliver whilst emitting zero tailpipe emissions.
Its body is made from Superform aluminium and the chassis is an innovative aluminium composites structure. Final assembly will be in Coventry by Coventry Prototype Panels.
lithium-titanate battery
packs which will take about 10 minutes to recharge, assuming the substantial amount of power required is available. The 9 kW standard onboard charger can fully recharge the batteries in 5 hours from a dedicated wired socket (easily fitted at home), or 15 hours from any standard 13 amp socket. An optional 18 kW onboard charger connected to a suitable dedicated domestic power source can recharge the car in 2.5 hours. A full charge will give the vehicle a usable range of 240 km (149.1 mi). The batteries have an expected lifetime of 12 years and retain 80% of their capacity after 15,000 deep cycles. A third range extending battery pack option is planned which will allow a usable range of 360 km (223.7 mi).
Battery electric vehicle
A battery electric vehicle, or BEV, is a type of electric vehicle that uses chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs. BEVs use electric motors and motor controllers instead of, or in addition to, internal combustion engines for propulsion.A battery-only electric vehicle or...
sports car
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
under development by the Lightning Car Company
Lightning Car Company
The Lightning Car Company is a British sports car developer, based in Fulham and Peterborough, focused on the development and production of high performance electric sports cars.-Lightning GT:...
, in Peterborough and due for release in 2012. Over the last 2 years while the project team has been productionising the concept design, a showcar has attracted critical acclaim at leading automotive and environmental exhibitions around Europe such as; the Geneva Motor Show, the Hannover Messe, the Low Carbon Vehicle Show at Milbrook and the Prince of Wales’ Eco Garden Party at Clarence House. The car is now being engineered as a highly exclusive British built supercar, with production volumes being limited to 250 cars per annum. Engineering prototypes are currently under construction and an investment funding opportunity exists (refer to the company’s Chairman Iain Sanderson at the Lightning Car Company Ltd direct). The engineering and production launch plan is timed to support first deliveries to customers in early 2012.
Technical details
The car is powered by twin 150 kW rear-mounted synchronous motors, driving through independent reduction gearboxes under electronic torque control. The powertrain system is sourced from a leading German powertrain manufacturer providing rear-wheel drive and a peak power output of 300 kW. with 3,300 Nm of torque available at the wheels.The Lightning GT accelerates to 97 km/h (60.3 mph) in less than 5 seconds and has a recommended top speed
Top Speed
Top Speed is a 1930 American musical comedy film released by First National Pictures, a subsidiary of Warner Brothers.-Production:The film was completed as a full musical...
of 200 km/h (124.3 mph). ‘Conscientious exhilaration’ is the term coined by the company to describe a driver’s experience of the continuous surge of power and performance the car can deliver whilst emitting zero tailpipe emissions.
Its body is made from Superform aluminium and the chassis is an innovative aluminium composites structure. Final assembly will be in Coventry by Coventry Prototype Panels.
Battery
The standard battery specification includes two 22 kWh AltairnanoAltairnano
Altair Nanotechnologies is a Reno, Nevada-based research company that develops nanotechnology-based products for energy storage and the life sciences. In particular, the company is known for its "NanoSafe" lithium-ion battery technology that is used in battery-electric vehicles...
lithium-titanate battery
Lithium-titanate battery
The lithium–titanate battery is a type of rechargeable battery, which has the advantage of being faster to charge than other lithium-ion batteries. Some analysts speculate that lithium–titanate batteries will power electric cars of the future....
packs which will take about 10 minutes to recharge, assuming the substantial amount of power required is available. The 9 kW standard onboard charger can fully recharge the batteries in 5 hours from a dedicated wired socket (easily fitted at home), or 15 hours from any standard 13 amp socket. An optional 18 kW onboard charger connected to a suitable dedicated domestic power source can recharge the car in 2.5 hours. A full charge will give the vehicle a usable range of 240 km (149.1 mi). The batteries have an expected lifetime of 12 years and retain 80% of their capacity after 15,000 deep cycles. A third range extending battery pack option is planned which will allow a usable range of 360 km (223.7 mi).
Price
The company is taking deposits of £4,000 for 2012 delivery, the vehicle is to be homologated under the EC Small Series Type Approval system and will be available for sale in the UK and across mainland Europe, as well as in Asia and other key markets.See also
- Tesla RoadsterTesla RoadsterThe Tesla Roadster is a battery electric vehicle sports car produced by the electric car firm Tesla Motors in California. The Roadster was the first highway-capable all-electric vehicle in serial production available in the United States. Since 2008 Tesla has sold 2,024 Roadsters in 30 countries...
- Think Global
- Venturi FétishVenturi FetishThe Venturi Fétish is the world's first two-seater electric sports car . It is produced by Venturi in Monaco, and the futuristic design of the car was done by the Parisian designers Sacha Lakic. The Fétish was first introduced in concept form at the 2002 Salon International de l'Auto...
- AMG E-Cell