700hp Lightning GT Electric Car Revealed

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700hp Lightning GT Electric Car Revealed

British Built Electric Super Car

March 6, 2008 3:23 PM by Michael Gauthier
Filed Under: Green Specialty Marques

The Lightning Car Company has pulled the wraps off their new Lightning GT. Designed to incorporate the latest advancements in battery and motor technology, the car runs solely on electricity.

With more than 700 horsepower and a lightweight body built from carbon fiber and Kevlar, the car can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4 seconds. NanoSafe battery packs provide 36 kW of power, while regenerative braking helps maximize the GT’s range. The vehicle comes with a home charging unit with internal safety features and a mobile charger is offered.

Standard equipment includes anti-lock brakes, traction control, central locking, alarm and immobilizer, electric windows, and leather/alcantara sports seats. Owners can also order their car with air conditioning and a navigation system.

Construction of a prototype is currently underway and is scheduled to be completed later this year. The company is accepting pre-orders for a £15,000 deposit.

Source: Lightning Car Company

Press Release
(click to expand)

ELECTRIC LIGHTNING GT DESIGN REVEALED

In June 2007, The Lightning Car Company announced its intent to develop electric technology for a luxury British sports car – the Lightning GT. Today sees the unveiling of its evolutionary design. This super car with its outstanding presence & performance is set to put British sports car innovation well and truly back on the map. Designed to accommodate the latest battery and motor technology and reflect its 100% electric power and performance, the electric Lightning prototype is being hand-built by a small team of passionate British engineers, designers and collaborators.

Whilst the rest of the automotive world engages in the hybrid, hydrogen or electric debate, the Lightning Car Company firmly believes its 100% Electric Lightning GT will help kick start the market for performance EV’s. Without a significant positive shift in perception, electric motoring will remain a huge compromise in the eyes of driving enthusiasts and therefore fail to impress the masses. Our vision is shared by the world's biggest car maker, General Motors, who believes the global oil supply has peaked and a switch to electric cars is inevitable…

The design team has created a successor to the petrol Lightning GT. Combining the spirit, heritage, individuality and drama of the original car with a dynamic and contemporary design language moves it into a new era and, in doing so, embraces the new technologies and innovative architecture that reside beneath its skin. Subtle creases, positive and negative sections add a sense of strength and finesse to the dramatic surfaces of the car while retaining an understated, yet distinctive British Grand Tourer aesthetic. The Lightning’s interior will also be designed to complement the unique electric driving experience.

With the build of the prototype well underway, we should see how this translates into the ‘real thing’ during the second half of 2008. The electric Lightning GT and Sports versions are now available to pre-order and deposits of £15,000 are being accepted.

ELECTRIC LIGHTNING GT DESIGN REVEALEDIn June 2007, The Lightning Car Company announced its intent to develop electric technology for a luxury British sports car – the Lightning GT. Today sees the unveiling of its evolutionary design. This super car with its outstanding presence & performance is set to put British sports car innovation well and truly back on the map. Designed to accommodate the latest battery and motor technology and reflect its 100% electric power and performance, the electric Lightning prototype is being hand-built by a small team of passionate British engineers, designers and collaborators.Whilst the rest of the automotive world engages in the hybrid, hydrogen or electric debate, the Lightning Car Company firmly believes its 100% Electric Lightning GT will help kick start the market for performance EV’s. Without a significant positive shift in perception, electric motoring will remain a huge compromise in the eyes of driving enthusiasts and therefore fail to impress the masses. Our vision is shared by the world's biggest car maker, General Motors, who believes the global oil supply has peaked and a switch to electric cars is inevitable…The design team has created a successor to the petrol Lightning GT. Combining the spirit, heritage, individuality and drama of the original car with a dynamic and contemporary design language moves it into a new era and, in doing so, embraces the new technologies and innovative architecture that reside beneath its skin. Subtle creases, positive and negative sections add a sense of strength and finesse to the dramatic surfaces of the car while retaining an understated, yet distinctive British Grand Tourer aesthetic. The Lightning’s interior will also be designed to complement the unique electric driving experience.With the build of the prototype well underway, we should see how this translates into the ‘real thing’ during the second half of 2008. The electric Lightning GT and Sports versions are now available to pre-order and deposits of £15,000 are being accepted.

_M7_

March 6, 2008 4:29:18 PM

lets see it on track first....then talk about 700hp

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Joe_Limon

March 6, 2008 6:47:27 PM

Oh man, I wanna know the max torque for this car. However 0-60 in 4s for an electric car having 700hp isn't that amazing... unless its being weighed down by enough battery packs to make it go 1000 miles to the charge.

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radmeister

March 6, 2008 7:03:44 PM

Yeah ur right, not fast at all unless it goes for 1000miles which would be amazing and a first for an electric car.

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tom43

March 7, 2008 11:28:21 AM

This is all blablabla. If these specifications would be right, all the others would make something wrong...

And its still not more than a good photoshop job.

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xlumino

March 7, 2008 6:18:38 PM

what might be wrong with these facts. I suppose, that the distance to drive is quiet little. But the whole concept sounds interesting. I can even imagine a new Lotus-car with this beautyful bodydesign.

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radmeister

March 9, 2008 8:39:28 PM

Oh and why is everyone copying the Saab Aero-x rims?

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super_car_muscle_man

March 18, 2008 2:41:07 PM

regenerative breaks?! what? what kind of brakes regenerate? obviously ive got the wrong understanding of it. also, yeah the torque on this thing should be crazy!! so im guessing the batteries will be weighing it down loads if it is capable of travelling far on one charge, so im doubting its ability round a track!

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