The moment many green-loving speed enthusiasts have been impatiently waiting for has finally arrived with the unveiling of the all-new Lightning GT at the British International Motor Show. The sheet was pulled back around 1 o'clock London time to reveal metal that stays quite true to the earlier rendered version. The long hood has sexy curves that deliver more than a twinge of lust but with a fascia that evokes the eloquence of an Aston Martin, it retains a classy British feel. A walk around the back reveals a brief rounded rear deck with no exhaust pipes to spoil the view. While we couldn't cross the pond for the event, the Lightning Car Company folks were kind enough to supply pictures for the gallery below.

Though quite similar performance-wise, the Lightning GT's builders believe they have some solid advantages over the Tesla Roadster in the technology department. The British sports car features Altairnano batteries which are capable of receiving a full charge in as little as 10 minutes and can last for over 10 years. No transmission troubles here either since the 4 PML Flightlink Hi-Pa Drive™ motors are in the wheels. A high mechanical efficiency is maintained with this all-wheel drive design that also aids greatly in brake regeneration and traction control. With all that function comes a bit of comfort as well. Full leather, air conditioning, sat nav and electronic door entry are all part of the £120,000 package. The Lightning GT team are also able to customize vehicles with made-to-measure interiors and even bodywork modifications, according to the customers wishes. Orders have already been received. If you wish to join this exclusive line-up you'll need to throw down £15,000 and be prepared to wait at least a year.


[Source: The Register]

When Zap announced plans for a new high performance electric three wheeler called the Alias earlier this summer, they indicated that it would arrive before the even more vaporous Zap-X, sometime in 2008. If you were saving your pennies for this lithium ion-powered trike, it looks like you'll have some extra time to save up. One of the features that was touted on the Alias was in-wheel electric motors produced by PML Flightlink.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Zap included a copy of a purchase order for 10,000 of these PML motors. The delivery date is listed as April 2009 and at this point no price is even specified. Also no mention is made of the Alias on the Zap website, although they are taking pre-orders for the Zap-X and even have a link to where you can get financing of it. Make of all that what you will.

[Source: Securities and Exchange Commission]

ZAP CEO Steve Schneider has been jet-setting around Europe discussing business deals for ZAP's expansion. He is soon to be joined by recently appointed Chief Operating Officer Amos Kazzaz as the meet with suppliers for electric car production, and potential dealers and distributors. Schneider has been impressed that even in places like the Middle East, "where you would think people have all the oil they need," there has been an increasing interest and demand for electric vehicles.

He feels the main technology that will facilitate the growth of ZAP and their product line into a large high-demand business is PML FlightLink Limited's wheel hub motors. They save space and are surprisingly powerful, according to Schneider, and will inspire other innovations throughout the rest of the vehicle. Recall on the Lotus APX concept, which ZAP is reportedly planning to produce, the electric motors in each wheel (making for a nice, simple all-wheel-drive system) add up to over 600 horsepower. Schneider believes that these motors are at least as important a technological development as the new generation of lithium-ion batteries.

We wish him the best on his trip.

[Source: Zap!]

One small piece of the ZAP-X puzzle may be falling into place with ZAP's latest announcement. When ZAP issued the first in a continuing string of press releases on the electrically driven crossover they say they will build, it specified that it would have wheel motors totaling 644 hp. ZAP has agreed to order $10 million worth of motors from PML Flightlink in exchange for some sort of exclusive rights. No specifics are being released although assorted terms and conditions must be met, which presumably means that PML must demonstrate the performance of the motors and ZAP must actually come up with some cash.

PML is the company that created an electrically driven MINI last year with the same type of motors. If they keep up this pace ZAP might even slip up and produce and actual product one of these days. In the meantime, Dallas over at InsideGreenTech.com has an interview with Martin Boughtwood, Director of PML FlightLink that you can find here.



[Source: ZAP]