A Lotus by any other name....Dodge

[Martin]

Here are more pictures and an interesting write up of the Dodge Circuit EV.

http://image.motortrend.com/f/roadtests/alternative/15878096+pheader/112_0904_02l+dodge_circuit_EV+front_three_quarter. jpg

"Father of Lotus, Colin Chapman, said his secret to engineering racing and sports cars was to "add lightness." An intriguing phrase, to say the least. And one that might well have been lost in time by similar mutterings made by countless other automotive impresarios had Mr. Chapman's cars not kicked ass on the track and the street."

Read more:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/112_0904_dodge_circuit_ev_drive/index.html

[eurosport]

"2013" ? Arrgh.. I thought it was closer than that. :mad:

[WayneB]

By 2013 this cars styling will be looking pretty long in the tooth as Lotus should have the new Esprit in production by then (god willing):(

[Brian Skeoch]

its horrible... are they being sold here in the states ? Dodge is about to go belly up.

[Martin]

Yes, they are supposed to go into production in 2011 and they are planned to be sold in the US.

[WayneB]

It will be interesting to see If the Fiat merger mothballs this project in favour of their in house electric projects :(

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2008/10/Fiat-Bugster-Concept.jpg

[Martin]

What project is that Wayne?

[Cowley Jerry]

What project is that Wayne?

This is a Fiat Bugster. Is only concept for Brazilia.

[WayneB]

Yes its the Fiat Bugster electric car concept.

They (Fiat) also have some other electric car models including a 500 which is dead cute if nothing else.:)

http://www.rpmgo.com/images/fiat_500_tender_two2.jpg

[eurosport]

where's the car in that picture?? :mf_dribble:

[Brian Skeoch]

wow.. she looks exactly like my next wife.

[Cowley Jerry]

where's the car in that picture?? :mf_dribble:

Is a Fiat 500 TENDER TWO by Castagna Milano bodyfactory.

[Cowley Jerry]

WayneB: I think that electric modules in minicars as Fiat 500 and other is not inteligent. Classic engine have to small emissions and electric acumulator is too weight, is too expensive and I think that classic engine is absolutely adequate for minicars. Of course, in other cars is the electric a drive of future.

[WayneB]

I like you Cowley Jerry you are a smart man!:)

Electric small cars are hardly a cost effective alternative to gasoline powered vehicles ATM, interesting technology but still too expensive for most people.

They are but a fashion trend as they have been at other times in history.:(
http://visforvoltage.org/files/u84/leno-baker-electric-0507.jpg
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/galleries/2008/autos/0809/gallery.gm_electric_cars/images/gm_electrovair2.jpg
http://www.evworld.com/press/Eskom_Enfield8000_01.jpg
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/galleries/2008/autos/0809/gallery.gm_electric_cars/images/gm_electric_vehicles.jpg
http://i.treehugger.com/files/th_images/crushed-ev1-01.jpg

[Cowley Jerry]

You need not have a jackass from me. :thumbup: I spoke, that elctromobile as GM EV-1 or other are smart cars. But in micro-car? No. But-is only my advice.

[Martin]

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/galleries/2008/autos/0809/gallery.gm_electric_cars/images/gm_electric_vehicles.jpg

...so the silver car on the right.....you wouldn't be driving that to compensate for anything would you? :D

[WayneB]

A few of these things were sold in England in the mid 80's.

Apparently, Lotus did development work for the company that made them (in a washing machine factory)

http://www.cartype.com/pics/6541/full/sinclair_c5_ad.jpg

[Martin]

Kind of the same mentality of a segway in regards to personal transportation...but of course nothing like a segway....:huh:

[Brian Skeoch]

that thing looks fun as heck.

[Autocross7]

that thing looks fun as heck.

Not as much fun as that girl with the Fiat...:icon18: hahaha....


Cameron

[WayneB]

The Sinclair C5 was about as much fun as a Rascal Scooter, which is why it was a collosal failure.
http://www.rolandpriestley.com.au/SiteMedia/w3svc257/Uploads/Images/af8ab2fb-456e-4dee-b701-a68f5bda7e14.jpg

[Martin]

Anyone else hear that they pulled the plug on the Dodge Circuit?
May be known info, but I am out of the loop these days.

.....

[clockwork]

Brian ,that Sinclair was lethal,I have driven? one in a warehouse and I would sooner do almost anything than go on the road with it,it was underpowered and too low,and your only hope of a safe journey was that other drivers had seen you and died laughing.:yes:

[Brian Skeoch]

it makes me mad as hell that Dodge would even consider putting their name on a Lotus made car....

[WayneB]

With the recient Chrysler-Fiat hook up I seriously doubt this car will ever come to market,Brian.

[eurosport]

Nailed, Wayne. It's DOA, actually before arrival. :(

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,573126,00.html

[WayneB]

I hope its demise doesn't affect Lotus, I don't know whether they were going to assemble them in Norfolk (like the Tesla) or Chrysler were planning on building them in one of their existing plants over here in the America's.

Moot point anyway, now its got the chop.

Maybe though Lotus will use the technology on a car of its own?