Proton unveils prototype Hybrid Car Developed In Collaboration With Lotus

The addition of the EVE Hybrid solutions to Lotus Engineering's extensive capabilities, together with the experience of developing Bio Ethanol flex-fuel Lotus Exige 265E means that the group is an ideally placed high technology organisation suited to helping the global industry to find a solution for future low emission personal transport needs.

A number of the technologies featured in the EVE Hybrid are production-ready, employing systems deliberately sourced from established tier one suppliers in order to demonstrate the availability of components, the minimisation of development costs and to maximise business case viability.

The EVE 'Micro-hybrid' stop-start system has been integrated through a starter-alternator system that switches the engine off when the vehicle stops, at traffic lights or stop signs during town driving for example. The engine restarts automatically when the brake pedal is released.

As a result, noise, emissions and fuel consumption are reduced. The unit runs on the standard vehicle 12-volt electrical system and combines both starter motor and alternator function.

The EVE features a full parallel hybrid technology system including a specially designed 30kW, 144V motor packaged in the bell housing between the engine and transmission. It delivers electric drive or regenerative braking via an additional clutch linking the motor to the drivetrain.

The motor provides the same start-stop functionality as the micro-hybrid with the additional benefit of electrical drive or drive assist, either boosting the drivetrain performance or providing economy and emissions benefits by operating as an electric vehicle.

The EVE's CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) allows the ratio between the input and output shaft to be varied continuously depending on load within a given range, providing an infinite number of possible ratios.

The integration of a CVT gives benefits in fuel consumption and emissions control. In addition, its compact package assisted in the application of a hybrid electric drive and it provides smooth acceleration and low transmission noise.

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