In the lead up to the Geneva Motor Show, Lotus has released details of a new Hybrid Evora that is to be unveiled showcasing the company’s ‘green’ technology. The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid promises power of up to 306 Kw (Equivalent to 410bhp), with a total range of 300 miles.

Performance figures are vague, but point towards the new car being frighteningly quick, with 0-60 quoted at ‘under four seconds’, along with ‘Eco mode’ or ‘Sport mode’ seven-speed paddle shift gearbox, which guarantees a totally new driving experience for a hybrid electric car.

Unlike the Tesla roadster, which shares a lot of Lotus DNA, the Evora will be propelled by a pair of electric motors, independently powering each back wheel. Linked via a shared transmission housing, the two motors can deliver different amounts of torque, simulating the effect of a limited slip differential, improving cornering stability. Electricity for the motor is stored in a bank of lithium polymer batteries, mounted centrally for equal weight distribution.

As well as this, the 414E will be equipped with a small 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine, designed specifically for series hybrid vehicles, in order to help charge the batteries.

For more than ten years, Lotus has been working on the HALOsonic internal and external electronic sound synthesis system, and they have confirmed that the groundbreaking system will be an integrated part of the Evora 414E, supposedly improving driver involvement, and increasing pedestrian safety at the same time. The system, which was co-developed by Harman International, can provide the cabin and outside world with four different engine notes, ranging from ‘conventional V6’ to ‘futuristic V12’.

Perhaps the biggest step forward with the Evora 414E, is the addition of a simulated seven-speed paddle shift gearbox. In reality, the transmission is only a single-speed unit, but the paddle shifters change the driving characteristics of the car, in much the same way a convention gearbox would. The biggest advantage of this is being able to control engine braking – something missing from other electric cars in this class.

Dr Robert Hentschel, Director of Lotus Engineering said: 'Innovation has always been at the heart of Lotus and is needed now more than ever. The Evora 414E Hybrid is the perfect demonstration of Lotus Engineering's core competencies: lightweight architectures, efficient performance, electrical and electronics integration and driving dynamics.

'The technology demonstrator represents an encapsulation of the advanced technologies that Lotus Engineering continues to develop to overcome the current environmental challenges facing the automotive industry and showcases the future direction that the sector is taking and why Lotus Engineering is perfectly placed to lead the technological development in this area'.