Lightening

[MVRacing]

by Domenick Yoney (http://www.autobloggreen.com/bloggers/domenick-yoney/) on Apr 4th, 2009 at 11:16AM
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/04/lightning-hybrid-denver-debut-crop.jpg (http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/lightning-hybrid-denver-debut/1471511/full/)

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Despite a rushed last-minute assembly, the team from Lightning Hybrids (http://www.autobloggreen.com/tag/Lightning+Hybrids/) managed to debut their LH4 at the Denver International Auto Show. It's pretty safe to say that this is the first unveiling of a doorless bio-diesel burning hydraulic hybrid sportscar prototype to occur anywhere in America the universe. We, of course, recognize the auspiciousness of this occasion and are prepared to share with you photographs of the one-of-a-kind vehicle taken at the event.

While it might seem unlikely, the company has another model in the works that could be viewed as even more idiosyncratic. Based on the same hydraulic hybrid drive technology and a somewhat similar esthetic, Lightning Hybrids has a model that will make its way on three wheels, appropriately called the LH3. This is actually the vehicle that they will commercialize first as it would have fewer regulatory hoops through which to jump. If you want to keep a closer eye on this Loveland, Colorado-based company, you can check out their website (http://www.lightninghybrids.com/index.html) and follow them on Twitter (http://twitter.com/lightninghybrid/).


From Autobloggreen

Interesting that they are also developing a 3 wheeler=y:

[MVRacing]

Here is all I could find on their web site... not a tilter=n:



LH3

http://www.lightninghybrids.com/images/sol-l3.jpg


Form: 3-wheel commuter vehicle
Drive Train: 240 HP (90 HP Proprietary 2-cycle biodiesel + 150 HP Hydraulic)
Efficiency: 100 MPG (biodiesel)
Dry Weight: 1750 lbs
Braking: ABS all-wheel discs
Materials: Carbon Fiber body, Chrome Moly and Carbon Fiber suspension, Aluminum engine
Acceleration: 0-60 in 5.9 seconds
Coefficient of Drag: 0.20
Available in 2010

[RAN]

I heard that the price on the actual car is going to be in the $50-60k range, so I imagine the three-wheeler is going to go for around $40k, since it's basically the same thing sans one wheel.

Is the hydraulic system only there for regenerative braking? It'd be a shame to have the higher horsepower motor laying dormant most of the time.

I saw a video of the canopy raising... it doesn't look like ingress/egress will be that easy.

I wonder how the three-wheeler will corner, since it doesn't tilt?

[rogwild]

How about on TWO Wheels:

They said that they 'started' building their 4-wheeled prototype in early 2009 to get it ready for the Denver Auto Show (Apr 2009).

Prototype manufacturing began in January 2009
http://www.lightninghybrids.com/about.html
And this from a 'company' that employs 15 people!
Lets hope that PM can have something to SHOW (other than a 'foam mock-up') in some Auto Show this YEAR.:burning:rubber:

[RAN]

I wouldn't hold my breath. Check out what the guys who built the alé have been up to the last few months: http://flytheroadclub.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=575