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Two of the biggest names in automotive performance team up to develop future sports cars. Lotus badociates with Williams Advanced Engineering – the Williams Formula One team's engineering group – on "advanced propulsion technologies", including hybrid and electric powertrains. This could lead to a new electric hypercar, according to a report.
For now, however, Lotus is vague about what the partnership will produce. In a statement, Phil Popham, the automaker's CEO, said the joint work of Lotus and Williams "can provide many interesting solutions in several vehicle sectors". A Lotus spokesman told Road & Track that the partnership would encompbad all aspects of powertrains, including combustion engines, electric motors and batteries.
According to Autocar, Lotus and Williams will develop an electric hypercar, called "Omega". The car is expected to have "four-digit" power, all-wheel drive and a range of about 250 km, according to the magazine. Although this is a rumor for the moment, Lotus and Williams certainly have the pedigree of such a project.
Lotus has built some of the largest sports cars in history and has become in recent decades a stronghold of old-fashioned performances. Following the maxim of the founder, Colin Chapman, "Simplify and add lightness", Lotus has largely avoided technology to adopt a more relaxing approach. It is however a philosophical statement that reflects as much the financial status of Lotus as, for example, Porsche. The manufacturer has languished in recent years under the aegis of the proton Malay, before being bought by the Chinese manufacturer Geely (which also owns Volvo) in 2017.
Williams Advanced Engineering is a division of one of the most successful race teams in Formula 1 (although the glory days of the team may be behind it). The resume from Williams includes the hypercar projects Aston Martin Valkyrie and Jaguar C-X75 stillborn, as well as a collaboration with Singer Vehicle Design on what could be the ultimate Porsche 911. The company has also developed the batteries of the first generation of racing electric Formula E cars.
A hypothetical electric hypercar Lotus would have its share of competition in the form of the Concept Two of 1900 horse Rimac firm, supported by Porsche, as well as future Tesla Roadster and Pininfarina Battista.
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