English company shows V10 hybrid sports car

An entirely new spin on the hybrid automobile has been developed by Connaught Motor Company (UK) – a V10-electric hybrid engined, Type-D sports coupe capable of 140mph, 0-60mph in 6.2s, and a stunning 42mpg while still complying with ultra-low emissions targets set for 2010. Connaught plays down the Type-D's hybrid drive, wishing to distance its sports coupé “from existing hybrid cars with their utilitarian aura and earnest greenness.”

So for 'hybrid', read Connaught's alternative description: HigherBred. They think of the electric motor as a torque-assist system, a means to an end rather than an end in itself.

The high performance energy-efficient sports car is the brainchild of two ex-Jaguar consultant engineers and has no less than17 patents pending on its technology.

The car was previewed at Goodwood's Revival meeting, a fitting venue to resurrect a famous name of 1950s automotive engineering, but the new Connaught Motor Company is no heritage-laden throw-back to past eras.

Connaught is the first virtual car company. It designs the car and manages the project, but out-sources the manufacturing to Derby-based partners EPM Technology, thereby ensuring relatively low start-up investment costs.

The ultra-lightweight construction helps to realise the ambitious fuel efficiency targets while the mid-front north-south mounted engine and rear-wheel drive configuration guarantees maximum driving pleasure without compromising rear space.

The cleverly engineered convertible ‘Eclipse’ version will have electrically-powered stacking glass panels which disappear into the boot lid without loss of luggage space. The Type-D will be “competitively priced” starting at around UK£35,000.

“Our aim has been to build a car for the future while keeping the design and technology relatively simple,” explains Tim Bishop, vehicle engineering director, “and to establish close links with our technology partners EPM Technology for the assembly and Coventry University on the styling side.

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