Autoblog

Click above for high-res gallery of the Lightning GT

Remember the Lightning GT? We told you about this all-electric supercar a few months ago, and it popped up today in person at the 2008 British Motor Show in London. That officially moves it one step away from the pure vaporware it was yesterday, which is a good thing since we're eager to see the carbon fiber-bodied Lightning actually move under its own power someday. That power will be provided by the same Altairnano NanoSafe batteries used by the Phoenix SUT, though churning out the equivalent of 700bhp through four electric motors in this case. Those motors are also the same PML wheel motors used in the 640-hp electric MINI, so they should be able to handle the 700bhp Lightning. There's also regenerative braking, as well as pretty much every standard conveyance of luxury you would find in a normal supercar including air conditioning, sat nav, full leather, etc. Its maker is claiming a 4.0-second charge to 60 mph for the Lightning, but we'd also like to know what type of range they're expecting in such a positively charged coupe. Unfortunately, details like that and the Lightning GT's price are still pretty scarce, though as before, they are accepting £15,000 deposits. At least it's no longer vapor.


[Source: Lightning GT]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lightning GT.

This month will see the debut of the Lightning GT electric sports car at the British Motor Show on July 23. The nano-titanate battery pack will provide 740-HP and a 0-60 sprint in just four seconds. Those batteries have also been spaced around the car to give it a 48/52 weight balance, which could theoretically give it the kind of handling to match its looks.

The batteries power four permanent magnet brushless motors, one at each wheel, which negates the need for a gearbox, axles, and transmission -- or transmission troubles. Each wheel will also boast independent traction control and regenerative braking. Inside, the car gets all the mod-cons, including A/C, satnav, and leather.

The makers claim a 90-mile range on a ten-minute charge, and running costs will be at least five times less than a car that gets 50-mpg U.S. That is, of course, assuming the car actually makes it to market. If so, and it's priced somewhere close to the Tesla, it should do well.


[Source: Car Central]

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]