Lotus Eigne | Concept Cars

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Make	Lotus
Model	Eigne
Concept year	2004
Production year	-
Engine	in-wheel electric motors

The Lotus Eigne concept was designed by David Fearnley, a 2008 graduate of the Transportation Design Course at Northumbria University, England.

The Eigne was designed to be more practical than the usual vehicles from Lotus, like the Elise and Exige.

Based around a 1+3 seating layout, with the driver in a central position, the Eigne can accommodate 3 adults and one baby seat. While at the rear a spacious luggage area can be accessed through the rear hatch.

One of the main reasons that the Lotus Eigne concept has such a large amount of interior space is due to its power source. In-wheel electric motors drive all four wheels (with a RWD bias for sportier handling), and require no space inside the chassis of the car. The batteries are sandwiched in-between the floorplan to reduce the center of gravity and keep them cool.

The body of the Lotus Eigne concept is designed to provide a high degree of downforce over the entire car. At the front a large wing is discreetly formed into the bodywork. The airflow around the car is channeled over the roof and at the rear of the car it is met with a subtle lip spoiler on the rear hatch - just above the smoked taillight panel.

In an effort to improve performance, reduce weight and increase strength, the body of the Lotus Eigne is formed from carbon fibre. This sits atop a bonded aluminium chassis which incorporates the passenger compartment.

Inside the Lotus Eigne - which is entered via large doors which cut into the roof to help access to the central drivers seat - is a modern and stylish cabin with carbon fibre seats and just a few hints at the cars electric power source. Including a circuit board design on the floor panels and a battery shaped logo.

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