Lotus Range Extender Becoming More Real

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79jHXnjYMZ56SLq3j7RJjMD-p5kN3BDzbsoMwjnV-i0ezYqXyywirngvRxIaHTtshWOtarLFLvhriUTlO0luKwuncsQccaHt0bdw5hNgwDJnuUzvf4lcVUdKGebF-a7TmdhnphLXSAkg/s1600/EX-Lotus_RangeExtenderEngine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79jHXnjYMZ56SLq3j7RJjMD-p5kN3BDzbsoMwjnV-i0ezYqXyywirngvRxIaHTtshWOtarLFLvhriUTlO0luKwuncsQccaHt0bdw5hNgwDJnuUzvf4lcVUdKGebF-a7TmdhnphLXSAkg/s320/EX-Lotus_RangeExtenderEngine.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>The <a href="http://hybridreview.blogspot.com/2009/09/lotus-range-extender-engine.html">Lotus Range Extender Engine</a> is moving from concept to production. If it sells, it will provide manufacturers a much faster method of moving into the Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) market. That means they can move to lower emissions and higher fuel efficiency for less money than developing their own system (like GM and the Chevy Volt).<br /><br />Lotus Engineering and Fagor Ederlan completed a joint technical and market study analysing the best route to production. The study ended with an agreement to develop the engine for series production for sale by Fagor Ederlan.<br /><br />The 3-cylinder range extender was debuted in the 414E Hybrid and PROTON Emas concept vehicles at the Geneva Motor Show.

Lotus Range Extender Becoming More Real

The Lotus Range Extender Engine is moving from concept to production. If it sells, it will provide manufacturers a much faster method of m...

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Lotus Range Extender Engine

Lotus Engineering is bringing an all new engine to the Frankfurt Auto Show. The new engine was specifically designed to be used in an extended range electric vehicle (E-REV).<br /><br />You can think of E-REV as a plug-in electric vehicle with a built in gas motor used not to move the car, but to recharge the battery when it gets low. This extends the range the electric vehicle can go on one charge. <br /><br />The Chevy Volt, for instance, will be able to travel 40 miles on all electric power after being plugged in (overnight). Once the battery gets low, the gas engine will kick in to keep the battery charged until you can plug the vehicle in once again.<br /><br />The Lotus Range Extender engine is a three cylinder 1.2 litre capable of producing 15 kW of electrical power at 1,500 rpm and 35 kW at 3,500 rpm via the integrated electrical generator. The aluminium monoblock construction, integrates the cylinder block, cylinder head and exhaust manifold in one casting. This results in reduced engine mass (56 kg), assembly costs, package size and improved emissions and engine durability.<br /><br />The engine uses a two-valve port-fuel injection combustion system which reduces cost and mass. It can also be used with alcohol based fuels.<br /><br />The Lotus Range Extender engine reduces cost in design and mass, allowing for the inclusion of the large (and heavy!) battery packs necessary in an E-REV. Lotus expects the engine offers a fast route to market for original equipment manufacturers wanting to source a dedicated range extender for series hybrid vehicles.<br /><br /><b><br />Technical details:</b><br />Technical specification of the Lotus Range Extender engine<br /><br />General - 1.2 litre 3-cylinder with 2 valves per cylinder, SOHC<br />Belt driven<br />Construction - Monoblock with Integrated Exhaust Manifold<br />All aluminium<br />Balance shaft (optional)<br />Direct-coupled generator<br />Bore and Stroke - 75.0 mm x 90.0 mm<br />Compression ratio - 10:1<br />Maximum power - 35 kW (47 bhp) at 3500 rpm via integrated electrical generator<br />Peak torque - 107 Nm at 2500 rpm<br />Maximum BMEP - 11.2 bar<br />Maximum Engine Speed - 3500 rpm<br />Fuel System - Port fuel injection, Lotus EMS<br />Fuel - 95 RON ULG / ethanol / methanol<br />Dry weight - 56 kg<br /><br /><b>Key features of the Range Extender engine in detail:</b><br /><b>Monoblock</b><br />The Range Extender features a novel engine architecture incorporating a monoblock construction that blends the cylinder head and block together eliminating the need for a cylinder head gasket, improving durability and reducing weight. Approximately 17 parts are eliminated using this approach and the water jacket is better optimised.<br /><br /><b>Integrated Exhaust Manifold</b><br />Lotus Engineering designed and developed a new advanced cylinder head design featuring an integrated exhaust manifold. The production-ready technology can significantly reduce manufacturing costs, emissions and weight. An integrated exhaust manifold has potential to:<br />o Reduce parts count: 18 fewer components resulting in lower inventory, production, logistics and aftermarket costs<br />o Weight reduction: total system mass reduction resulting from elimination of separate exhaust manifold<br />Improved engine durability<br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>Generator</b><br />Attached to the engine via the crankshaft, the generator sustains vehicle operation beyond the range provided by the batteries.<br /><br /><b>Additional Benefits</b><br />The Lotus Range Extender engine generates a reduction in emissions through faster light-off of the close-coupled catalytic converter with a reduction in heat loss between the exhaust port and catalyst inlet. Engine operating range is optimised to deliver more efficient running, which also aids underhood thermal management.<br /><br />Utilisation of the monoblock construction results in an assembly cost reduction, while there is also a reduced catalyst loading requirement because less heat is lost on engine start-up between the exhaust port and catalyst inlet.<br /><br />Increased vehicle integration flexibility is achieved because of the reduction in mass and the reduced package size leads to reduced space requirements. Particular emphasis has also been placed on the coupling of the generator and NVH signature.

Lotus Range Extender Engine

Lotus Engineering is bringing an all new engine to the Frankfurt Auto Show. The new engine was specifically designed to be used in an exten...

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