Driving Sports

Lotus Engineering has unveiled a new hybrid engine at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The "Lotus Range Extender" is a series hybrid engine, meaning that the engine runs only at a single, optimum speed and the car's motion is entirely controlled by an electric engine drawing juice from the car's batteries or directly from the generator on the gas engine.

The engine is a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine in which the block, head, and exhaust manifold are made from a single casting of aluminum. The engine can run on alcohol-based fuels or gasoline.

It remains to be seen whether the new hybrid engine will find its way into a chassis from Lotus Cars. We think it's likely within a few years. Watch out, Tesla!