Green cars certainly don’t have to be slow and clunky if the latest offering from Lotus is anything to go by.
The car manufacturer unveiled its new Tribid car at the Shanghai Motor Show, dubbed the Exige 270E. The vehicle, which is powered by petrol, methanol and bio-ethanol is capable of racing from 0-60mph in just 3.88 seconds and has a top speed of more than 158mph. Its performance capabilities show no signs of a greener engine either as it churns out 270 horsepower.
The vehicle uses a supercharged 2ZZ-GE WTL-I engine with two cam profiles – a low speed cam and a high speed cam. Depending on the driving conditions and the loads it is possible to switch between the two and the Exige’s six fuel injectors increases the fuel flow into the engine depending on the engine speed and loads.
The performance has been enhanced through the use of lightweight materials. Through the use of synthetic alcohol the power has increased without affecting the weight of the car and this boosts overall performance.
The use of methanol has been vital in the car’s development. It can synthetically be reproduced from hydrogen and CO2 so it can balance the internal combustion nature of the engines and yet manage to be sustainable for the environment.
