Click above for high-res gallery of the LLC Lightning GT
Last year we told you about a plucky little UK-based firm called Lightning Car Company (LCC) that had announced its intention to build a 700-hp equivalent electric sports car called the Lightning GT. It's a lofty goal that took one step closer to fruition recently when LCC unveiled the production form of the Lightning GT. The carbon fiber body is certainly sexy, flowing between positive and negative spaces that wrap around the car and bulge in all the right places. We see a little Corvette in its shape, as well as some Aston Martin and Jaguar in the details. The Lightning GT also sports mechanicals that are available right now, including the same Altairnano batteries that propels the Phoenix SUT and the PML wheel motors powering the 640-hp electric MINI. LCC is currently building a prototype to see how well the Lightning GT will work in the flesh, but like any visionary company worth its weight in vaporware, is currently accepting £15,000 deposits.
[Source: Lightning Car Company via AutoblogGreen]
PRESS RELEASE
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.
THE ELECTRIC LIGHTNING - DESIGN FEATURES
The vehicle proportion has been retained yet exaggerated, enhancing the dramatic volumes of the car. A
reduction of visual mass through the corners of the vehicle has assisted creating a more dynamic shape in
keeping with the lightweight ethos of the vehicle.
The Carbon skin appears to be draped over the revised chassis architecture and wheels creating powerful
arch bulges and undulations within the surfaces. These augment the sense of drama and character,
enhancing the visual strength of the vehicle.
Feature creases run from front to rear of the car accelerating your eye through the surfaces generating a
subtle nose forward movement while linking key functional areas.
The iconic head fairings have been retained and revised carbon panels form exit air vents. Vents in the
bonnet and side surfaces hint at the performance credentials of the car while adding visual continuity,
interest and cooling of the power source.
The "face" of the car has been reinterpreted to generate a stronger, more contemporary shape. The light
cluster design follows the crease line forming an aggressive feature while the revised "mouth" encases
feature fog lamps.
In place of the exhaust housing is a down force generating sculptured diffuser. Rear lamps are inset into a
Carbon fibre graphic adding sophistication while generating a signature rear shape. The overall design
appears lower, wider and more muscular than its predecessor hinting at superior aggression and
performance characteristics.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
The Doctor @ Mar 6th 2008 4:04PM
Reminds me of the Jaguar F-Type concept. Which is a good thing.
BTW, what is it with Britain and small sports car manufacturers?
Menice @ Mar 6th 2008 4:04PM
aside from the fact that the front and profile resemble so much..it is sweet looking..... and that is a fantastic butt.
Electric is cool, but having this and sounding like a golf cart must take some getting used too.
Andrew @ Mar 6th 2008 4:08PM
This is the future, nice to see some companies jumping the shark.
Chopper Dave @ Mar 6th 2008 4:35PM
Uh, doesn't "Jumping the shark" mean that something is past its peak?
pacman @ Mar 6th 2008 5:07PM
"Jumping the Shark" is a bad thing. It usually refers to something that is popular but at some point starts to go down hill. The term started when Fonzy actually "jumped a shark" while water skiing on Happy Days. The moment was so ubsurd that it is credited as the point the shoe began its decline.
SPG @ Mar 6th 2008 4:20PM
That's a fantastic looking car, I'll take two.
Darrell @ Mar 6th 2008 4:28PM
Absolutely right about the Corvette influence. I also see some Jaguar XK and and BMW Z8 in it too
B-NOIT @ Mar 6th 2008 4:50PM
Alright, well I see a bit of Saab and Porsche in there, while we're at it.
...But that's not the point. I'm looking forward to seeing another small company launch an entry in this all-electric sports car class. After Tesla, Fisker (Karma) and LCC, one would think one of the real players in the industry would put the pieces together and build something - anything - truly green. I think we're all still waiting for that.
Then again, maybe the 'real players' are just waiting too, waiting to see market response and what kind of reliability such technology can offer. Anyone?
red.devour @ Mar 6th 2008 5:00PM
This is a fantastic looking car.
Imo, the front end has hints of Jag, Aston and Ferrari. The side profile reminds me of a Vette sting-ray and an old Ferrari (Daytona?). I'm not so impressed w/ rear but it's still the first decent looking electric car concept as of yet. Just my opinion.
John @ Mar 6th 2008 5:06PM
I don't get it, the front from an Aston Martin, side profile of an Alfa Romeo 8C and the wheels off the SAAB Aero X concept, what's the point?
Another doomed small production sports car...I've seen this happen too many times and it's just not funny anymore.
There are literally hundreds of talented students graduating from top transportation design schools around the world these days, do everyone a favor and ask for their help (www.cardesignnews.com) they know what they are doing and maybe that way the automotive industry won't get stuck in the tar pits like the big dinosaur it is...
Mr Brody @ Mar 6th 2008 8:23PM
Sorry Lightning GT, looks like Tesla has already beat you to market. Check out the test drives on youtube.com.
Randy @ Mar 6th 2008 11:21PM
I'm hot and bothered! It does look like a Jag.. Shoulda been what the Jag looked like too! :)
tanooki2003 @ Mar 7th 2008 8:58AM
If this car is cheaper than the Tesla then count me in.
kurt @ Mar 7th 2008 1:10PM
*yawn* wake me up when its in a dealership, tired of all these renderings and lofty promises from companies who've never built a road ready car (Tesla)
hawk @ May 3rd 2008 4:14AM
well.. But on my opinion,the end result is a good looking sports car.. But the wrong way.. The future is the electic car.. Ok .they are right..but the better and cheaper way for the rest of the world is a full convert kit for all motor based cars.. They got 700hp.. Thats powerful to move a big car.. Take out al that engines.excaust,transmision and the rest.. And convert your car in electric.. May takes 2 weeks.. Or more.. And you got a best seller.. I'am the 1st. To buy it.. A little power generator hidrogen based to recharge and adios gasoline.. :-)
radhoo @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:22AM
The handling, the wieght of an in-wheel motor is unsprung weight, which gives adverse handling characteristics...