Lightning GT (2012-)

Manufacturer	Lightning Car Company
Production	2012–
Class	Sports car
Body style	2-seat coupé
Engine	Two 150 kW onboard (rear mounted) motors
Transmission	5.5:1 reduction ratio, electronic differential, rear wheel drive
Wheelbase	2,590 mm (102 in)
Length	4,445 mm (175.0 in)
Width	1,940 mm (76 in)
Height	1,200 mm (47 in)
Kerb weight	1,850 kg (4,100 lb)
Designer(s)	Chris Longmore, Drive Design

The Lightning GT is a battery-electric sports car under development by the Lightning Car Company, in Peterborough and due for release in 2013.

The project was initially launched to the public in July 2008 at the London Motor Show, with deliveries expected in 2009, but sales to the public have been put back to 2013, and limited to only twenty cars in the first year.

Technical details

The car is powered by twin 150 kW (204 PS; 201 bhp) rear-mounted synchronous motors, driving through independent reduction gearboxes under electronic torque control. The powertrain system is sourced from a German powertrain manufacturer providing rear-wheel drive and a peak power output of 300 kW (408 PS; 402 bhp). with 3,300 Nm of torque available at the wheels.

The Lightning GT accelerates to 97 km/h (60 mph) in less than 5 seconds and has a recommended top speed of 200 km/h (120 mph). Its body is made from Superform aluminium and the chassis is an innovative aluminium composites structure. Final assembly will be in Coventry by Coventry Prototype Panels.

Battery

The standard battery specification includes two 22 kWh Altairnano lithium-titanate battery packs which will take about ten minutes to recharge, assuming the substantial amount of power required is available. The 9 kW standard onboard charger can fully recharge the batteries in five hours from a dedicated wired socket (easily fitted at home), or 15 hours from any standard 13 amp socket. An optional 18 kW onboard charger connected to a suitable dedicated domestic power source can recharge the car in 2.5 hours. A full charge will give the vehicle a usable range of  240 km (150 mi). A third range-extending battery pack option will allow a usable range of 360 km (220 mi).