Should we be proud of it if it is Lotus who developed it?
Above: Proton Emas
Below : Lotus City Car
I read an article in the November 2010 Top Gear magazine on Lotus Engineering (under Proton) developing an F1 car. There is even a picture of it in the magazine. Remember this has nothing to do with the Lotus F1 Team that is competing in 2010 F1 Series.
If you are aware there is court case filed in London between Lotus F1 Team (Tony Fernandez) versus Lotus Engineering (under Proton) for the right to use Lotus name in F1 2011 Race. This triggered me to visit the official grouplotus.com website to get more info on the F1 car developed by Lotus Engineering (Proton). But I found out another thing!
Referring to the images above, I have a question "Is it Proton Emas or a make over of a Lotus City Car?" If it is developed by Lotus, then admit so... there is nothing wrong, but trying to create an impression that Malaysians built Proton Emas is another story. If it is true, then Malaysians won't be proud of it, not because it is built by Lotus, but because Proton lied to us yet hoping that we will die supporting Proton which is the reason why Malaysians have to pay more for a car compared to other neighboring countries.
Last night, I watched an interview with Proton's Managing Director, Dato' Haji Syed Zainal Abidin B Syed Mohamed Tahir on Astro Awani's 10pm Sudut Pandang, he proudly claim that Proton is ready for a paradigm shift. Is it true? or indah khabar daripada rupa? It is good if it is true, we all should be proud of it, hoping one day Malaysian can get rid of the high car price because of the government wants to protect Proton. I was really impressed when I watched the interview on Astro Awani but it is a total reverse when i read the article below. As a Malaysian, I am now confused!
If you are aware there is court case filed in London between Lotus F1 Team (Tony Fernandez) versus Lotus Engineering (under Proton) for the right to use Lotus name in F1 2011 Race. This triggered me to visit the official grouplotus.com website to get more info on the F1 car developed by Lotus Engineering (Proton). But I found out another thing!
Referring to the images above, I have a question "Is it Proton Emas or a make over of a Lotus City Car?" If it is developed by Lotus, then admit so... there is nothing wrong, but trying to create an impression that Malaysians built Proton Emas is another story. If it is true, then Malaysians won't be proud of it, not because it is built by Lotus, but because Proton lied to us yet hoping that we will die supporting Proton which is the reason why Malaysians have to pay more for a car compared to other neighboring countries.
Last night, I watched an interview with Proton's Managing Director, Dato' Haji Syed Zainal Abidin B Syed Mohamed Tahir on Astro Awani's 10pm Sudut Pandang, he proudly claim that Proton is ready for a paradigm shift. Is it true? or indah khabar daripada rupa? It is good if it is true, we all should be proud of it, hoping one day Malaysian can get rid of the high car price because of the government wants to protect Proton. I was really impressed when I watched the interview on Astro Awani but it is a total reverse when i read the article below. As a Malaysian, I am now confused!
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PROTON Emas drivetrain
(http://www.lotuscars.com/engineering/en/proton-emas-drivetrain)
Lotus Engineering designed and integrated the complete drivetrain for the the PROTON Emas is a plug-in series hybrid city car, styled by Italdesign and unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show.
Our work included an electrical drive system with single-speed transmission, which delivers low emissions, optimised performance and acceptable electric-only operating range for city use. For longer journeys, when the battery charge level falls, the 3 cylinder, 1.2 litre Lotus Range Extender engine is used to replenish the charge in the battery and provide electrical power for the drive motors.
The battery can also be recharged via an AC mains domestic outlet to achieve initial electric-only operation.
LOTUS RANGE EXTENDER ENGINE
The three-cylinder 1.2 litre Range Extender engine is optimised between two power generation points, giving 15 kW of electrical power at 1,500 rpm and 35 kW at 3,500 rpm via the integrated electrical generator. Its low mass of 56 kg and compact package makes it ideal for the series hybrid drivetrain in the Proton Concept.
BATTERY PACK
The vehicle energy storage system is made up of 11.5 kWH Lithium Polymer batteries with over 100 kW discharge capability. It includes fusing, power distribution and high voltage interlock safety system hardware.
GENERATOR
The generator converts mechanical energy to electrical energy for battery pack charge maintenance and vehicle range extension. The generator is also used as a motor for range extender engine starting. It has a power of 41 kW 280-420 VDC generator and starter motor for the range extender engine.
HIGH VOLTAGE INVERTER - GENERATOR
The high voltage inverter converts and controls the three phase voltage from the generator to DC voltage to charge the battery and run the traction motor.
TRACTION MOTOR
The traction motor provides 75 kW peak and 45 kW continuous power with a 280-420 VDC motor. The motor converts electrical energy to provide mechanical energy to the driven wheels through the transmission.
HIGH VOLTAGE INVERTER - TRACTION MOTOR
The high voltage inverter traction motor converts DC voltage to three phase voltage.
GEARBOX/TRANSMISSION
The Proton Concept uses a single-speed transmission with an integrated differential.
HIGH VOLTAGE CHARGER
The high voltage charger converts AC mains power to high voltage DC to charge the battery pack. It produces 3.3 kW, with 90-265V AC single phase with CAN control.
DC - DC CONVERTER
The DC-DC Converter maintains charge in the 12V vehicle battery by taking power from the high voltage battery pack. It is the electric vehicle equivalent of the alternator and converts 1.5 kW of power from 420V to 13.8V.
VEHICLE CONTROLLER
The vehicle controller is a microprocessor that controls the throttle, torque, power and energy management and is the same T6e engine management software as used on the Lotus Evora.
Lotus City Car Concept
(http://www.lotuscars.com/engineering/en/lotus-concept-city-car)
The Lotus City Car concept provides a showcase for Lotus Engineering’s Electrical and Electronic Integration and Efficient Performance competencies, featuring an advanced series hybrid drivetrain with the Lotus Range Extender engine. This innovative concept car highlights the adaptability of the drivetrain technology and the exceptional capability of Lotus Design.
ADVANCED HYBRID TECHNOLOGY FROM LOTUS ENGINEERING
The City Car concept features a Lotus Engineering designed and integrated series hybrid drivetrain, with a single-speed transmission that delivers low emissions, optimised performance and electric-only operating range for city use. The drivetrain provides the vehicle with an EV range of 60 km to cover the majority of daily journeys operating as a plug-in EV, with the Range Extender engine enabling longer trips and alleviating “range anxiety”. Using Range Extender technology allows the vehicle to be specified with a smaller, lighter and less expensive battery pack than a regular EV. The 500 km full range and quick refuelling capability of the range extended City Car concept highlight the flexibility of this technology for use beyond the city environment.
The 1.2 litre, 3 cylinder Lotus Range Extender engine, specifically designed for hybrid vehicle applications, drives a 240 Nm, 54 kW continuous (162 kW peak) generator. The Lotus City Car concept boasts zero emission capability when running in EV mode and in keeping with Lotus Engineering’s focus on sustainable transport, the Range Extender engine is designed for flex-fuel operation on ethanol and methanol as well as regular gasoline.
This stunning concept car created by Lotus Design brings Lotus exclusivity and brand character to a concept vehicle that revels in the city environment. It is beautifully sculptured, possessing a solid, purposeful sportscar stance, while offering features that maximise functionality in the city. With its chic body and overtly sporty nature, the Lotus City Car concept exudes style and sophistication. The distinctive Lotus mouth and diffuser give the car purpose, with the wide track, low ride height and big wheels reinforcing the sportcar styling. The design features an impressive use of space with very efficient packaging constrained within the compact vehicle dimensions.
The Lotus City Car concept provides enhanced visibility for the driver and low emissions to optimise use in urban life. A dramatic glass roof is incorporated into the design to further increase visibility; under the glass roof the interior is upholstered in a luxuriant green and yellow tartan fabric and immaculately finished with a technologically advanced Lotus steering wheel. The high specification of the Lotus City Car concept is emphasised by the mix of carbon fibre, sumptuous leather and high quality equipment.
LOTUS CITY CAR CONCEPT SPECIFICATION
- Layout: 3 door, 4 seater, rear wheel drive
- Drivetrain: Series hybrid drivetrain
- Range Extender engine: 35 kW, 1.2 litre, 3 cylinder engine
- Engine fuel: Flex-fuel (methanol, ethanol and petrol)
- Battery Capacity: 14.8 kWh
- Power/Torque: 162 kW peak (54 kW continuous)/ 240 Nm
- 0-50 km/h: 4.5 seconds
- 0-100 km/h: 9.0 seconds
- Top speed: 170 km/h
- Range: 500 km
- EV range: 60 km
- CO2 emissions: 60 g/km on the ECE-R101 cycle
- Weight: Less than 1,400 kg
- Transmission: Single speed transmission
4 comments:
This post is quite misleading.
The two cars shown are in fact the same car. Proton owns lotus and the two images featured on malaysiatoday are simply the production and concept versions contrasted against one another.
The real question is how much Malaysian expertise really ended up in the car.
My memory is a bit foggy but i do recall Proton sending tech teams to England to work on some of their projects.
On the same line that you are using, I can as as you if a Daewoo Matiz is a Hoden Barina... Or if a Peugeot 206 is a Citroen C2... Or if a Toyota HiLux is a Volkswagen Taro.... or if a Subaru Impreza is a Saab 9-2X.
The difference is that the above companies are not related. But in the case you gave proton actually owns lotus so it's not really even badge engineering!
dear ezralimm
The issue is not about Lotus is under Proton but it is about Proton claiming Proton Emas is their product and claiming that they are now ready for a paradigm shift. Proton should instead claim that the car is developed by Lotus, a subsidiary of Proton. Proton has to credit Lotus for developing it as Proton does not have the expertise. It is not right to claim another party work as yours. Lotus might not sue Proton as Proton owns Lotus. But i see Proton Emas is no different than Perodua changing the logo of Of Toyota PASSO and claiming Myvi as a Perodua product while actually Perodua just remakeup the exterior look of Toyota PASSO and then STAMP it as Myvi. :)
AIYAHH...PROTON surely and forever can claim whatever they want for this car simply because they owns LOTUS! All staff( technical/management) in LOTUS indirectly payed and managed by PROTON. It is just like KFC owning AYAMAS n RASAMAS. Anything produced or sold in both outlets can be claim as KFC's! KFC can also sell altered menu from RASAMAS and claim theirs! The difference is AYAMAS was set-up by KFC alone, while LOTUS was purchased by PROTON. Parent company (with full authority and as a majority shareholder) can always claim anything from their own subsidary company.
i sokong rockersold answer. Having know bankers who subsidized loan to lotus under the name of proton, shows it is all protong..without the money pumped by proton, lotus alreaady bungkus..and cant cope with the design tech yang makin berubah. Plus if guna dari lotus, proton boleh pecah masuk ke pasaran eropah dan sekutunya.
Kerana lesen production asal kerana quota untuk kenderaan dikeluarkan di eropah eu tidak ada halangan, tapi kalau kereta dari luar eu mereka susah nak dapt masuk dan quota sangat terhad cukai duti yang tinggi serta macam amacam lagi di impose nya...
sila lah fikir baliksebelum buang masa jika tidak tahu hujung pangkal kenapa sesuatu keputusan dibuat sedemikian. jangan jadi parrot atau burung belatuk.....
proton kena ada platform untuk berkembang di eu jadi mereka kena maintain nama asal syarikat lotus etc. kita rugi bila jual augusta. kerana itu boleh jadi kilang pengeluar dan senang dan murah nak produce kat itali tetapi boleh dijual bulk in eu dan sekutu.. senang nak masuk negara besar yg lain.
it takes a mind of a person with a vision, sound knowlege of international trade regs, eu law, and etc business acument among other..
tulis bila tahu bijik butir bukan ... tulis bodoh
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