It?s got the power. The Lightning GT may be an electric sports car but it can take on many a large engine car in its range and overtake it as far as acceleration, speed, performance and looks go. This latest offering from UK?s Lightning Car Company is all set to take on the road and make all the others move aside.
In a gasoline car, you get maximum power only when the engine is revved up. In electric cars however, you get maximum power on all the wheels at any speed. In the Lighting, this advantage is coupled with electronically controlled traction control in order to take away the prospect of imbalance or wheel spin.
In the 0 to 60 range, it seems to be ruling the roost. You can feel the enormous power under you as you grip the steering when you accelerate. Put all this together with the fact that it has no engine to speak of and most of the parts hardly suffer any wear and tear and you?ll see why as a car without maintenance it is sure to score high.
The Lightning GT Electric can go up to a speed of 130 mph and it has a power of 700 bhp. 0 to 60 is achieved in 5 seconds which makes it on par with the Jaguar convertible.
Let?s also take a look at some of its other features. Besides the traction control, it also has regenerative braking, forged alloy wheels, and anti-lock braking system, a central door lock system a hard removable top that comes out in two pieces and can be stored in the boot.
The Lightning really is a perfect mix of the best car technology and a great sport car design. It has no harmful emissions and yet it has such drop dead gorgeous looks! It is expected on the road in 2008 and is expected to cost in the region of $300,000 so it is definitely not for the regular man on the street and there are whispers of a luxury model being offered which can go from 0 to 60 in under 4 seconds! The first versions will be released in the UK only and the left hand drive versions are expected as a later roll-out.
Powered by Altairnano batteries, the wheel motors are PML and thanks to no friction braking, there is no worry about how regenerative braking and friction braking will blend. Well, it has to be seen how well it will do in the UK and Europe before it can make its presence felt on American soil.
