Lotus Developing Hybrid Drivetrain for Motorsport
Lotus Engineering, the world renowned automotive
consultancy division of Lotus is collaborating with Oaktec to
develop the performance of a Honda Civic Hybrid for stage
rallying and circuit racing.
Recognised as a global leader in hybrid and electric vehicle development,
Lotus Engineering is supplying technical expertise to Oaktec in developing
racing technology that exploits the performance potential of the petrol electric
Honda hybrid system. The Honda Civic Hybrid will compete on the racetrack
with ultra low exhaust emissions and high fuel efficiency.
Lancashire based Oaktec, a specialist in energy efficient vehicle design,
approached Lotus Engineering to investigate areas of battery and system
control technology that enable maximum racing performance and efficiency
from the hybrid drivetrain. The collaboration is in partnership with Energy
Efficient Motorsport (EEMS), Motorsport Development and Honda UK. The
project has won funding from the Northwest Regional Development Agency
(NWDA).
Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus Plc said: "Lotus
Engineering has an enviable track-record in the global automotive industry for
the successful delivery of hybrid vehicle programmes, applying advanced
technologies on the road and now on the racetrack. Our dedicated Hybrid and
Electric Vehicle Technologies Group is working on a large number of third
party client projects and the collaboration with Oaktec is yet another
demonstration of our advanced skills and expertise in the area of hybrid
vehicle engineering."
The environmentally friendly Honda IMA hybrid technology used on the Honda
Civic Hybrid is ideally suited to a motorsport application and has further
potential to enhance power whilst retaining high fuel efficiency. The 1339cc
Civic uses a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) to complement the
hybrid-drive in race and rally conditions. This CVT enables the car to be driven
at constant full power making performance very accessible, and in tandem
with the hybrid system gives excellent performance and efficiency.
Paul Andrews, Senior Partner of Oaktec said: "We have been developing the
Honda Hybrid system for motorsport since 2004 and achieved a great deal of
success in rallies around the UK, including a championship win in 2006 with a
Honda Insight in the F1000 Class A Championship. Maximising racetrack
performance from a hybrid drivetrain is a complex technical exercise but one
that Lotus Engineering has the experience and expertise to help us deliver.
We look forward to seeing our success on the rally tracks replicated in the
race circuits. We will be breaking new ground with the project when Gavan
Kershaw of Lotus Engineering and Jamie Corstorphine of Autocar magazine
will race our Honda Civic Hybrid for the first time in the Dunlop Max Sport Cup
at Rockingham circuit on 28th September."
Phil Barker, Chief Engineer of Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technologies at
Lotus Engineering said: "Hybrid and electric vehicles are already established
on our roads but to make them successful on the racetrack, a number of
technical changes have to be employed. Working with Oaktec, we will create a
revised electrical specification for more power and a control system that will
allow a more aggressive regenerative braking strategy. Lotus Engineering's
work on the Honda Civic Hybrid will prove that you can still get high
performance while using green technologies."
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