Lotus Elon
- Electric Lotus Elan
- 650kg
Mission is: to show the world that Electric Cars can be light, fun and completely guilt free and that lotus DNA 'performance through lightness' applies to EV's too. This is not a commercial project (I couldn't afford the product liability insurance), it's just a one-off between designing electric folding bicycles and kitchen gadgets. Background: Engineer/Designer who loves handling/steering/balance/lightweight of Lotus cars - especially 60's Elans which are fun at legal speeds, as well as on track. An Elise/vx220 was also on the conversion shortlist. BUT these cars are similar to Tesla Roadster and only really get their ‘fun strides on’ above 60mph, unless on track / antisocial. Elans also have a ‘dirty little secret’ : it got 23mpg before conversion ! Costs: Tatty 1 owner £23K Elan S4- rusting at back of Miles Wilkins garage, then with rebuilt twincam engine, new chassis and suspension, by Miles, but no other restoration. Sale of TwinCam, exhaust etc £8.5K Cost of most EV and conversion parts £12K, Total £26.5K PLUS about 400 hours of blood sweat and tears engineering. Basic Spec: 650Kg (1430lbs which is ~20kg lighter than before conversion) - this needed slightly lowered springs, possible as no exhaust hanging down, and results in horizontal lower wishbones and accurate geometry. Hyper9 Electric AC Motor, programmable regen etc. Similar to TwinCam with 88Kw/118hp @5000rpm plus 235Nm/173lbft @0rpm, 73Kg lighter 5 x Tesla ModelX P90D battery modules, most energy from 125kg - 3 in front 2 in rear for same weight distribution - 28kWh, 125v Best/worst range 200/100 miles (lightweight, low CdA and regen helps) 6.6Kw (slow) Onboard Charger controlled by simpBMS, with Speedo, Tacho and 'fuel' gauge (as well as cockpit) all original and working. Kept Gearbox, but not clutch - It pulls from zero in top gear, so you select one gear depending on journey: from tyre shedding in 1st/2nd to 3/4th for speed/cruising.
Build history: mas-design.com/lotus-elon/ (please hover over pictures for notes, and scroll down). Controversial - Some hatred from Lotus purists (even 1st owner, in his 70's .. "you did WHAT to MY car ? " !!). But, to be fair, it got a lot of instagram likes from more enlightened lotus folk. Lotus are more interested in their current range, than 'heritage brought up to date' fare enough, but I hoped this might have been a neat segway to the Evija. Mark Sanders MAS Design Products Ltd. MicroBlog/Twitter: @77A w: www.mas-design.com