It is believed that the Lotus Ethos will arrive as a 2014 model after 2012 or maybe in late 2013. The City Car concept, which was unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show is set to compete with other upscale compact city cars and keep parent company Proton’s drive for a world car project. Lotus is considering the use of two power plants. The first option is a series hybrid powertrain like the concept while the other is a fully electric motivation such as the Nissan Leaf or Tesla Roadster. The concept has a hybrid drivetrain that can travel 37 miles of electric-only power and a 310-mile range when using the on-board small 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine. Its peak output was 72 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, which will enable the 3,086-pound Ethos to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 9 seconds, faster than both the Fiat 500 and Aston Martin Cygnet. Its top speed is 106 mph but to maintain an electric charge, the car must only run up to 75 mph.
Lotus said that Ethos’ design offers excellent space considering that it has compact dimensions. The Ethos’ small size makes it easy to maneuver. It also offers superior visibility since there’s a large glass roof that adds to an airy feel. The cabin will feature a combination of carbon fiber, premium leather, and plenty of standard equipment.
