Lotus today released official photos of the 7-seat Lotus APX Concept. “APX is not just a Lotus Engineering concept, but a feasible prototype close to production,” the company said in a statement. On the other hand, “it is not a concept indicating a strategic direction of Lotus Cars.” The car has a front-mounted 300 hp supercharged V6 gasoline engine. Weighing in at just 1570 kg and with a power to weight ratio of 191 hp per tonne, the APX has sportscar like performance of 5.4 seconds to 100 km/h (5.0 seconds to 60 mph) before reaching a top speed of 245 km/h (152 mph). Combined fuel consumption for APX is estimated to be 8.7 litres / 100 km (or 32 mpg).

The V6 engine is an example of extensive research into “engine downsizing by Lotus Engineering’s Powertrain Team. Engine downsizing is the concept of using advanced technologies to enable a small engine to produce the power and torque of a much larger engine, with the obvious reduction in fuel consumption and emissions.

The brief for Lotus Design was to create a visually arresting “ Jekyll and Hyde “ car that fulfilled the needs of practical and flexible everyday transport but also provided the enthusiast with a focused driving machine.

Russell Carr, Chief of Design for Lotus explains: “We saw the customer as a sportscar enthusiast who, with a typical family of 2 young children, occasionally wants to carry four or five adults in addition to their children. To facilitate this a third row of fold flat coupe style rear seats are accommodated within the cabin.”

Exterior

Russell Carr explains the exterior design philosophy: “We wanted the design to communicate the driving experience of the car, which is characterised by extreme power, performance and grip. Therefore the form language had to convey strength and velocity whilst looking planted to the road. As with all designs the essences of strength and movement are generated from stance and proportion which are, on this car, characterised by an extreme cab rearward, teardrop like silhouette and prominent wheel arches The illusion of speed is further communicated by a taught, fluid form language within which feature lines and surfaces stretch seamlessly from the penetrative nose to the boat – tail rear end. Power is re- enforced by a prominent hood line, similar to classic front engined sportscars, and flared arches, whilst strength is given by a deep bodyside and coupe style slim glasshouse.”

Interior

The brief for the interior of the car was to create an environment with the visual drama of a sportscar but with a high degree of functionality and a contemporary sense of luxury. Russell Carr explains further: “We started by working with the engineering group to optimise the driving position and major controls. Then we created memorable features and controls that combine intuitive function with a unique design and high quality materials. This is evident in the design of the HVAC control, the start button and instrument pack. The latter communicates the cars sporting personality through a distinctive sports bike look which mixes analogue and digital displays within a high quality aluminium casing.� The digital screens of the instrument pack have multi-functionality enabling major data, including Satellite Navigation, to be placed logically in front of the driver. Great care was taken in developing the grains, textures and material finishes to ensure an ambience of sportiness and contemporary luxury.

    Print This Post