Autoblog

Lotus Engineering released Friday specs and photos for its APX crossover concept, ahead of its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

In case you were wondering, APX stands for "Aluminium Performance Crossover." The concept car is a demonstration vehicle for Lotus' Versatile Vehicle Architecture, which will be the foundation for the upcoming Lotus mid-engine "super sportscar", slated for a 2008 launch.

The APX is a 4WD crossover with "5 2" seating. (In a refreshing bit of candor, Lotus calls the two rear seats "occasional." Other SUV and CUV manufacturers, please take note.) The APX is powered by a supercharged, front-mounted, 3-liter DOHC V6 designed by Lotus (!) and making 300 hp at 6250 rpm, good for 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds (quicker than the Lotus Europa S). A symphony of cast, stamped and extruded aluminum, the APX weighs only 3454 lb, its light weight contributing to not only its sparkling performance, but also its impressive fuel consumption of 32 mpg.

Lotus says that the APX and its powerplant are not "concepts" but "feasible prototype(s) close to production," even though they are "not a concept indicating a strategic direction of Lotus Cars." Whatever. There's a lot going on at Lotus - the next couple of years should be interesting. More after the jump!

[Source: Group Lotus]