London Motor Show 2008 Highlights: 2009 Lightning GT

t might look like a classical powerful front engine GT and you'd be forgiven for thinking it's powered by a large and powerful multi-cylinder engine, but in fact, the Lightning is an electric car due to reach buyers in 18 months time. CDN spoke to principal designer Daniel Durrant who took us through the design - one of the most impressive aspects of which is that it started only nine months ago.

Overall, the exterior theme is classical sports GT with overtones of sixties coupes such as the Maserati Ghibli in its long, low proportions, gently raked rear and kicked up rear side window. Contemporary surfacing and detail design - such as the fading side feature line and circular rear lights connected by a single graphic element - help lift this design above other British low volume sports car designs.
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Sarcastic1 - 7/23/2008 8:43:11 AM

+2 Boost

It looks gorgeous! Those lines are amazing, but it's electric. I'm a huge proponet of alternatives, but it still kills me that, when I'm trying to take a turn at 60, there isn't a way for me to throw it into 5th and sail away. While in the sports car market, I would like to see something(hydrogen) else chatch on, this is fantastic progress towards a mainstream alternative. Any chance we can throw in a big block V8?

Audiphile - 7/23/2008 9:18:59 AM

+1 Boost

Why are you disappointed that it's an electric car? According to the company's website (lightningcarcompany.co.uk), the 700-hp Lightning will do 0-60 in 4 seconds, and has a top speed of over 130 mph. Isn't that fast enough for you?

HSCenterconsole - 7/23/2008 8:51:32 AM

-1 Boost

This car is spectacular looking -- too bad it's electric.

Audiphile - 7/23/2008 9:19:26 AM

+1 Boost

Sarcastic1 - 7/23/2008 10:02:14 AM

+2 Boost

Audiphile-

I'm not disappointed with the numbers, those are nothing less than impressive. I'm disappointed that, with all this power at my foot, I'm loosing the experience. Alternatives are a huge interest of mine, but, at heart, I'm also addicted to the experience. When I'm on a curvey road, I love to drop the gears and listen to the engine roar to 6,000 RPMs. I would buy an electric car in an instant, but not as a sports car...at least at this point. Maybe someday I'll come around to 700HP humming away, rather than 700HP flowing from my exhaust.

Audiphile - 7/24/2008 10:22:10 AM

+1 Boost

Ah, now I understand.

bigmotov - 7/23/2008 9:37:58 AM

+2 Boost

Yes, very nice indeed. It's funny how everything is starting to look like an Aston, which is one of my favorites. I can't quite tell without more photos, but that top profile looks GT-Rish.

VanquishV12 - 7/23/2008 1:23:36 PM

+1 Boost

FINALLY a super-sports car that moves without gas! And it's gorgeous! I hope it's only the beginning... and as for the "V8 sound" you can always load some tracks and play them at full volume.