Lightning GT

Lightning GT
Overview
Manufacturer Lightning Car Company
Production 2015– (planned)
Designer Chris Longmore, Drive Design[1]
Body and chassis
Class Sports car
Body style 2-seat coupé
Powertrain
Engine Two 150 kW onboard (rear mounted) motors
Transmission 5.5:1 reduction ratio, electronic differential, rear wheel drive
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,590 mm (102.0 in)
Length 4,445 mm (175.0 in)
Width 1,940 mm (76.4 in)
Height 1,200 mm (47.2 in)
Kerb weight 1,850 kg (4,079 lb)

The Lightning GT is a battery-electric sports car under development by the Lightning Car Company, in Coventry and due for release at the end of 2015.

The project was initially launched to the public in July 2008 at the British International Motor Show,[2] with deliveries expected in 2009,[3] but sales to the public have been put back to 2012, 2013, 2014, and subsequently 2015.

Technical details

Lightning GT at the London Motor Show in 2008

The car is powered by twin rear-mounted synchronous motors, driving through independent reduction gearboxes under electronic torque control. The powertrain system is sourced from MAGTEC, a UK powertrain manufacturer providing rear-wheel drive and a peak power output capability of 300 kW (408 PS; 402 bhp). with 4000 Nm of torque available at the wheels.[4]

The Lightning GT accelerates to 97 km/h (60 mph) in less than 5 seconds and has a recommended top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph). Its body is made from Superform aluminium and the chassis is an aluminium composites structure. Final assembly will be in Coventry by Coventry Prototype Panels.

Development of the GT has been assisted with a grant from the UK Government's Technical Strategy Board,[5] as part of the EEMS Consortium.

Battery

The standard battery specification includes two 22 kWh Altairnano lithium-titanate battery packs which will take about ten minutes to recharge, assuming the substantial amount of power required is available. The 9 kW standard onboard charger can fully recharge the batteries in five hours from a dedicated wired socket (easily fitted at home), or 15 hours from any standard 13 amp socket. An optional 18 kW onboard charger connected to a suitable dedicated domestic power source can recharge the car in 2.5 hours. A full charge will give the vehicle a usable range of 240 km (150 mi). A third range-extending battery pack option will allow a usable range of 360 km (220 mi).

See also

References

  1. "The Hidden Work of Design Consultancies". Car Design News. 13 October 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  2. "Lightning strikes Tesla at London motor show". Cnet. 23 July 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  3. "The green sports car with added vroom-vroom". The Guardian. 9 July 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  4. "_PERFORMANCE". Lightning Car Company. Retrieved 2015-04-14.
  5. "Lightning plans more electric cars". Autocar. Retrieved 29 July 2014.

External links

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