
Lotus Engineering will have this on display at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, a Proton GEN2 equipped with Lotus Engineering’s EVE Hybrid technology. EVE, which stands for Efficient, Viable, Environmental, basically pairs Proton’s 1.6 liter Campro engine with a 30 kilowatt (40 horsepower) electric motor. The hybrid petrol-electric drivetrain drives the front wheels using a continuously variable transmission (CVT) gearbox.
The hybrid system also has a start-stop system for the gasoline engine to be shut off when unneeded. The engine restarts automatically when the brake pedal is released. The electric motor is positioned between the engine and the gearbox, and supports regenerative braking to recharge its 144V battery located in the GEN2’s boot.
The Proton GEN2 EVE Hybrid Concept has significantly lower emissions than it’s pure petrol sibling, with CO2 output only 134g/km from 172g/km. Average fuel economy rose from 6 liters per 100km to 4.6 liters per 100km. The combined output of the electric motor and the Campro 1.6 liter engine is 141hp, equivalent to a 1.8 to 2.0 liter engine in modern times, giving it a 0-100km/h time of 9 seconds and a top speed of 190km/h. Torque rises from the stock 148Nm at 4,000rpm to 233Nm at 1,500rpm.
Perhaps we can see this Lotus EVE Hybrid technology being implemented in our local Proton cars soon, or perhaps we will be able to use that CVT transmission to replace the current 4-speed auto of which ratio’s do not match the Campro’s torque curve at all. A CVT would be wonderful for keeping the Campro’s revs within it’s powerband, allowing for a more comfortable and stressless drive.
More photos after the jump, as well as Lotus Engineering’s full description of the Proton GEN2 EVE Hybrid car.
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Lotus EVE Hybrid at the Proton Technology Week
Click here to read the rest of Proton and Lotus Engineering develop Proton GEN2 EVE Hybrid Concept