Enzo Ferrari said that “An institution is the lengthened shadow of one man.”
And so, that seems to still be holding true for Lotus, one of histories greatest car companies, founded by one of histories greatest automotive and racing engineers, Colin Chapman.
Chapman’s C/V is littered with innovations, any one of which most engineers would be happy to call enough.
Chapman died decades ago but the company that he founded continues to innovate, and in this case they’re brining their innovations to the street for both high rollers and low.
Specifically, they are building a hydrogen taxi and hybrid limo. The taxi is part of the Zero Emission London Taxi Commercialization Project, a government deal, and Lotus is taking a big swing by using a hydrogen fell cell (think NASA). Well, that sure as hell will have low emmisions, and look, it’ll be used by Proles like you & me.
On the other end of the spectrum is “Limo Green.” Lotus is working with Jaguar (!?) to develop a hybrid executive limo that puts out 15% less CO2 then a Toyota Prius.
I say great. We, as car guys, got to get this less pollution stuff figured out, or it will be figured out for us. Luckily Lotus is already on the job.
Mike Kimberley, Group Lotus chief executive, says they are aiming to provide “guilt-free performance motoring” via their expertise with lightweight vehicles and hybrid and electric drivetrains.
“There is a worldwide drive to reduce carbon dioxide emission levels and this is something to which we are dedicated, for both our Lotus cars and our global engineering clients,” he says.
Amen brother.
Anyway, I fond this nifty news from Wired’s Autopia.
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