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Lotus Developing Civic Hybrid Race Car
Topic Started: Sep 29 2008, 07:27 AM (132 Views)
rob99
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Yep, you heard me. I used "Civic Hybrid" and "Race Car" in the same sentence.

British firm Oaktec has decided to see if the granny-spec Civic has any potential as a racecar and has contracted performance car specialists Lotus Engineering to help transform the humble Honda hybrid into a fire-breathing, electron-guzzling motorsports monster.

Lotus has decided to keep the Civic's 1.3-litre petrol motor, CVT gearbox and hybrid drive system largely intact, however electricity generation and braking power will be substantially helped by tweaks to the Civic Hybrid's regenerative braking system and battery banks. With Honda's hybrid system programmed to keep the petrol motor running constantly while using the electric motor for added assistance, it makes a whole lot more sense to use the Civic Hybrid in a motorsports context than a Toyota Prius - which uses the reverse process. Happily, using the Civic as a base also means Oaktec can avoid the negative stigma associated with having to campaign a Prius-based racecar.

In addition to the braking system, Lotus has also waved its magic wands over the suspension of Oaktec's Civic to help the eco-friendly sedan corner flatter and faster, which should pay dividends during the car's circuit debut at the Dunlop Max Sport Cup - which should have taken place by the time you read this. Built to Group N specifications, the Oaktec Civic also boasts the usual addenda associated with circuit and rally racing, like a comprehensive roll cage, stripped interior, fire suppression system and battery kill switch.

Of course, while the zippy hybrid Civic lacks the outright brawn of the Sard Supra HV-R that won the Tokachi 24hr enduro last year, it's still great to see companies willing to explore the limits of green power in a motorsport setting. With Honda on the cusp of introducing their petrol-electric CR-Z sports hatch, we can only look forward to even more forays into the world of eco-friendly racing.


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