The British company Nyobolt has just unveiled a prototype electric sports car based on the legendary Lotus Elise. Equipped with revolutionary battery technology allowing ultra-fast recharges, this unexpected rebirth of the Elise could well mark a turning point in the development of light and agile electric sports cars.
An iconic design revisited
For this ambitious project, Nyobolt called on Julian Thompson, the original designer of the Lotus Elise Serie 1. The result is a coupe that retains the iconic lines of the Elise while adopting a more modern and aerodynamic look:
– Slightly elongated bodywork– More fluid and modern lines– Elise visual identity preserved
This approach makes it possible to capitalize on the iconic design of the Elise while adapting it to the constraints of electric motorization.
A revolutionary battery at the heart of the project
The major innovation of this prototype lies in its high-density battery developed by Nyobolt. Its characteristics are impressive:
– Capacity: 35 kWh – Charging power: 350 kW – Charging time from 10 to 80%: 4 minutes and 37 seconds
This technology makes it possible to maintain a high charging speed over almost the entire duration of the cycle, a remarkable performance that opens up new perspectives for compact and sporty electric vehicles.
Promising performance
Although details on dynamic performance have not been communicated, the Nyobolt prototype displays some interesting characteristics:
– Weight: 1245 kg – Estimated range: 250 km
These figures, although improvable, are encouraging for an electric sports vehicle. For comparison, the current electric Mini Cooper SE weighs about 180 kg more for a lower range.
Proven durability
Nyobolt has put its battery through intensive testing to prove its reliability:
– 4000 full simulated charge cycles– Equivalent to over 960,000 km traveled– Retention of over 80% of initial capacity
These results demonstrate the potential of this technology for long-term use in the automotive industry.
A project that arouses interest
The Nyobolt prototype has already attracted the attention of several major players in the sector:
– 8 car manufacturers in discussion with Nyobolt – Collaboration with the Callum design studio for possible small series production
Shane Davies, Vehicle Battery Systems Director at Nyobolt, highlights the importance of this breakthrough: “We can enable manufacturers to reintroduce excitement into the segment, which is literally weighed down by current batteries. Our prototype demonstrates the efficiency gains made possible by our fast-charging, long-life battery technology.”
A promising future for lightweight electric sports cars
The Nyobolt project demonstrates that it is now possible to design lightweight and high-performance electric sports cars. This approach could pave the way for a new generation of electric vehicles combining:
– Low weight – High dynamic performance – Ultra-fast charging – Sufficient autonomy for sports use
If Nyobolt manages to achieve small series production of this prototype, this could encourage other manufacturers to follow this path and develop similar models.
Nyobolt’s electric rebirth of the Lotus Elise is more than just a styling exercise. It represents a fresh take on the electric sports car, combining heritage with cutting-edge technology. With its revolutionary battery and agility-focused approach, this project could well shape the future of electric sports cars, proving that it is possible to combine performance, driving pleasure and environmental friendliness.
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