Zap releases more details on ZAP-X
Remember Zap? I reported earlier in February that US electric car maker Zap was employing the services of Lotus to develop the ZAP-X for them, an all-wheel drive crossover MPV which would be fully powered by electric motors. The ZAP-X was to use Lotus Engineering’s VVA platform and be based on the Lotus APX Concept.
Zap has released sketches and 3D renderings of the ZAP-X, which reveal some details on what’s going to be in the car as well as how it will look like. Some of the basic performance stats include 644hp combined power from 4 in-wheel motors, a top speed of 250km/h and a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 4.8 seconds.
A lightweight aluminium chassis combined with lightweight motors and the removal of extra weight such as driveshafts in common single engine configurations balance out the weight of the batteries needed, thus making this a relatively light vehicle. On a full charge, the ZAP-X can go 350 miles or 563km, with a rapid 10 minute recharge time.
On the interior, seating is a 5+2 configuration, much like the new BMW X5. By 5+2 instead of 7, it means the rear 2 seats are only for use when you really have to, they aren’t the most comfortable around. The interior is full of gadgets – a computer running Windows XP (it’s Vista now?), Wi-Fi, Blue-tooth, High definition video support, iPod connectivity, Firewire, USB2 and Mini USB ports. There’s also photo voltaic glass with thermoelectrics for heating and cooling, and energy collecting windows and windshields to harness solar energy.
March 20, 2007 @ 3:46 pm
This is really a nice car!!!! I like the headlights!!!!!!
Interior full of high tech gadgets?? Sounds just great for me!!!!
644hp? wow!!!!!
March 20, 2007 @ 4:38 pm
headlamps looks like 5 series headlamp
rear taillights looks very similiar to the caldina gt4
March 20, 2007 @ 4:48 pm
Slick indeed. I am no cross over SUV fan but this looks nice and maybe possible as well.
Back to the future anyone?
March 20, 2007 @ 5:49 pm
havent you guys seen those designs before? thats basically the lotus APX, as shown at KLIMS last year.. notice the “waja” side mirrors? abit of spare parts bin sharing between lotus and proton.
March 20, 2007 @ 7:50 pm
what the… it’s not ‘engineered’ by Lotus, it IS a LOTUS! it’s an APX with a different badge!
March 20, 2007 @ 11:24 pm
looks promising!
don’t know would it make it to mass-pro or not ?
or would it sustain economics of mass-pro ? (price against volume)
March 21, 2007 @ 8:48 am
Look at that front half. Wish that had came with Waja. Lovely, but still I would recommend it as a MPV not SUV…the one model most Malaysian await.
March 21, 2007 @ 9:32 am
Why can’t Proton make use of this APX concept car from Lotus? Could be Proton not competent enough in producing this car?
March 21, 2007 @ 12:20 pm
i think it would’ve been alot better if that design was used to replace the old satria, but made smaller to match the satria’s original concept; in favour of the current neo design.
This design tho looks more like a competitor to Ford Focus. Nice one.
March 21, 2007 @ 7:47 pm
a crossbreed between savvy and neo.