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Hybrid Magic: Lotus green electric car that you can hear

Hybrid Magic: Lotus green electric car that you can hear

By: Daniel Chubb | August 7, 2008 | 4 Comments


Normally when it comes to greener cars such as hybrids/electric you cannot hear them coming round the corner such as today’s models, but the all new Lotus hybrid car has a roar which will let you know when it comes round the corner, a green car with a roar so to speak.

Technology of today and indeed for the near future really makes me feel what will come next, I have always said to myself that hybrid cars are very good indeed for the environment but not for pedestrian, and in that I mean electric cars are way to quite and could be potentially dangerous, obviously Lotus has heard of this problem and come up with a solution by giving us a hybrid car with some grunt.

Lotus has designed a car with technology in mind that also gives you a thrilling sound to go with it; yes we mean a roar of a well tuned-up engine. The car manufacturer explains that its “safe and sound hybrid technology” simulates the growl of a combustion engine, making it “instantly recognisable that the vehicle is in motion”.

Lotus have added a device that kicks in automatically to produce a sensational artificial engine noise when the hybrid car runs on its electric motor, normally when the hybrid car’s combustion engine takes over sensors that are fitted to the engine and suspension turn off the sound.

The way the new Lotus car works is with the engine producing noise thanks to a waterproof loudspeaker; this is cleverly positioned next to the vehicles radiator which gives you the roar sound from under the bonnet.

Source – The Independent

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  • http://www.lgblog.co.uk/ Chris at LG

    It’s a bit like when they add the smell to the gas supply isn’t it – making a newer technology or product degraded to an older version. Given that some people love to have noisy cars to show off, whats the betting someone who wants a particularly loud car will eventually hack the electronic box that makes it?

  • http://www.funtastic.com Janet Brown

    what a waste of resources

  • http://none@None.com tonya myers

    Ok… First of all, consumers don’t care what ‘powers’ the car as long as the batteries can be recharged regularly, and they can at least perform in a way to power your car through the normal commute. Don’t mind if my car is quiet. Thats what a horn is for.

    This is exactly why I prefer Goss132. Goss132 has setup their electric cars so the owner can change out batteries whenever they want, and more importantly can use whatever ‘type’ of batteries are available. So if it’s lithium-ion (Li-on), or Nickel Metal Hydride [NiMH] it doesn’t matter to me. As long as they can be recharged, and get me to work… doesn’t matter. If it’s s quiet Fine!

    Furthermore; it’s cheaper that way. I can buy whatever batteries fit my budget, and if that means I can only go to work and back between charges…so be it. Like I said before. doesn’t matter.

    They can have an audio war all they want. It’s Goss132 all the way for me. The best EV company out there.

  • Roby

    I suggest that people try building their own!! A lot of information on how to build an electric car, including cost cutting measures and design tips, can be found on Frank Didik’s website at: http://www.didik.com/didik_ev.htm. In particular, check out the section entitled “How to Build an Electric Car”, “Didik Turtle or How to build a two person electric vehicle in 14 hours” and “Critical and accurate assessment of electric vehicles”. He is the first to truly mention the pro’s and con’s of electric cars and an excellent history directory of electric cars, starting in the 1800′s. Many years ago, Didik was the found of the Electric Car Society.