SpeedStar
09-28-2007, 03:56 PM
Back when Lotus Engineering showed off its Aluminum Performance Crossover (APX) concept car at the Geneva show last year, most assumed it was a showcase for the company's new, lightweight architecture, and nothing more...Lotus will use that crossover SUV as the basis for a joint venture with ZAP, the company that came to prominence last year for federalizing Smart cars and selling them in the US, despite being disavowed by DaimlerChrysler. The companies say the all-electric model will challenge the Tesla all-electric sportster in performance, with the equivalent of 644 hp and a top speed of 155 mph -- and a range of 350 miles on a charge. No word on price, but the prototype will show up at the North American Dealers Association (NADA) annual meeting and leisure-suit exhibition. ...jalopnik.com