Mygreenwheels

So the Tesla can do 130 mph with a 250 mile range. This one claims to do 155 mph with a 350 mile range and, as usual, it's designed by Lotus Engineering. This EV has just been shown at the North American Dealer's Association annual meeting and exhibition in Vegas, so why's no one writing about how wonderful it is? Maybe they're all becoming a tad cynical about real cars v concept cars. But let's put all that cynicism on hold for a moment and take a look at what the newest EV supercar has to offer.

I'm talking about the ZAP-X Crossover Electric Car. Among its cool features are a lightweight body, all wheel drive, 10 minute recharge time and advanced battery systems that deliver up to 350 mile range. There's talk that it will even come with an auxiliary power unit to support longer distance journeys.

The plan is apparently for ZAP and Lotus to begin the first phase of an engineering project using Lotus's APX (Aluminium Performance Crossover) as a basis for designing a 'production-ready all-wheel drive crossover high performance vehicle for ZAP in the USA market'. The usual ICE V6 engine will be replaced by in-hub electric motors delivering 644 horsepower in all wheel drive mode (YIKES!), so theoretically it'll manage a top speed of 155 mph. Oh, and it's going to feature 'a very attractive power-to-weight ratio'.

ZAP see this baby as the most advanced, practical and appealing flagship EV to date offering the enjoyment of a sports car and the practicality of an SUV. According to a good piece on InsideGreenTech they're aiming for the $60,000 price range for the ZAP-X with expected availability in 2008 - and remember, they've got 25 dealers worldwide, so we might even see it in Europe one of these days. I know - it's still a concept car, but this one ticks so many boxes that I'm going to give it the benefit of my optimism ... even though I think they could have given it a better-looking derriere.