Electric vehicle pioneer ZAP (an acronym which stands for Zero Air Pollution) has teamed up with Lotus Engineering to create the ZAP-X, an electric version of Lotus's advanced APX concept car unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show last year.

ZAP and Lotus Engineering will begin the first phase of an engineering project which will utilise Lotus Engineering's Versatile Vehicle Architecture as the basis for the high performance ZAP-X crossover electric car, but will employ "revolutionary" in-hub electric motors instead of the conventional V6 petrol engine found in the APX technical demonstrator.

The electric motors are said to be capable of delivering 644bhp in all-wheel drive mode and should allow the electric vehicle to attain a potential top speed of 155mph. An advanced battery management system is expected to enable a range of up to 350 miles between charges, with a rapid 10-minute recharging time. An auxiliary power unit to support longer distance journeys is in the pipeline.

Lotus Engineering's advanced body structure and chassis technology is ideally suited for an electric powertrain implant. The lightweight aluminium architecture with exceptionally strong structural rigidity provides ample space for additional battery capacity and promises a very consumer-oriented electric car concept. The design features of the APX shell stands to give the ZAP-X crossover an attractive power-to-weight ratio, storage potential and range that has yet to be achieved by any electric vehicle.

“We believe that the ZAP-X will become the most advanced, most practical and most appealing flagship electric vehicle to date,” said ZAP CEO Steve Schneider. “[It] will revolutionize the industry, providing the driver with the enjoyment of a sports car and the practicality of an SUV."

Lotus Engineering and ZAP have a bit of circuitous history already. The British technology consultancy is currently developing a new ‘Trybrid' eco-flex engine management unit for Brazilian micro-car manufacturer OBVIO! and ZAP has plans to begin distribution of the micro-cars in the US in 2008.

Though not yet definite, the development programme for the ZAP-X project may be managed from a new centre of excellence for research and development of environmentally-friendly vehicle designs and technologies, with engineering input coming from Lotus Engineering Inc, and the British technology consultancy's other R&D centres in the UK, Malaysia and China.

Eric Gallina - 6 Feb 2007