Lotus to Create Multifuel, Microsports Cars

It's really easy to get excited when you hear Lotus is teaming up with a Brazilian carmaker to produce a small (89" wheelbase), light (1,648 lbs), three-seat sportscar called the 012. Then to hear it gets 40 mpg on the highway from its 1.6L 4 cylinder and offers a choice of paddle-shifted CVT or 6-speed manual and it's starts to sound very interesting especially when the list base price is only $28,000! And there's more? Sportier models offer 170 hp, and 250 hp Tritec engines. With that power to weight ratio, you'll be the Autocross king! My god, that's better than the GT3, the Sport Exige and even better than the Caterham R400! Those numbers, according Obvio, the company planning the 012, are attained while running ethanol or compressed natural gas. Pump good old gasoline into the tank and see a 10% boost!





Full Detroit Auto Show gallery

Detroit Auto Show Photo Gallery

AutoSpies.com Photo Galleries


Read Article

nozferatu - 12/26/2006 11:29:05 PM

+4 Boost

This is very very cool...we really need more efforts like this from more manufacturers.

vcowman - 12/28/2006 1:02:49 AM

+2 Boost

every model lotus makes is a Microsports Car