8

The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the

Editor or the Kent Area Committee – no liability will be accepted in any case of dispute.

BITS AND PIECES

Lotus Engineering has developed a new

engine especially for hybrid cars, and will be dis-

playing it at the Frankfurt Show in September.

The Range Extender, as it's called, is a 1.2-litre

petrol (or ethanol or methanol) unit which devel-

ops a maximum of 47bhp. That's only about two-

thirds of what a conventional engine of that size

would normally be expected to produce, but

there's a good reason for that. The Range Ex-

tender does not rev beyond 3500rpm - which is

about as far as most drivers will go in everyday

driving - and other 1.2s have to go a long way past that to achieve the normal 70bhp or so.

It's also important to point out that 47bhp is what the engine can achieve on its own. The total out-

put would be considerably higher, enhanced by the power of an electric motor. Power-to-weight ratio

is also crucial here, and this has been a key consideration in the design of the Range Extender. At

just 56kg it is remarkably light, and Lotus has achieved this figure by making the engine block, cylin-der head and exhaust manifold out of a single aluminium casting.

Apart from the weight advantage, this method of construction also reduces the size of the unit and

its cost of assembly, while improving durability and emissions. Servicing it may be another matter,

though since more than 30 parts required in a conventional engine are no longer required in this one

there will at least be less to service.

"Most series hybrid vehicles that are currently being developed will use adaptations of existing, con-

ventional engines which are therefore compromised in the efficiency that they can achieve, designed

as they are for a wide range of operating conditions," says Simon Wood, Technical Director of Lotus

Engineering. "Designing the Lotus Range Extender purely for use in series hybrids has allowed us

instead to develop an optimised engine that has high thermal efficiency, low fuel consumption, multi-fuel capability and a 47bhp peak output from a 1.2-litre, low-cost architecture over the precise oper-

ating range required by a series hybrid drivetrain."

Lotus intends to make this light, cheap, hybrid-specific engine available to any manufacturer which

wants to buy it, but the first name on the list is Jaguar. The Range Extender has been created as

part of a project known as "Limo-Green", a collaboration involving Lotus, Jaguar, MIRA and Caparo

Vehicle Technologies and funded by the UK Technology Strategy Board.

Through this project, the first application of the Range Extender will be in, of all things, a super-

lightweight, low-drag Jaguar XJ saloon. A prototype vehicle is expected to be up and running by the

end of this year, and however ludicrous the idea of a 1.2-litre XJ may seem, preliminary figures from

Lotus suggest that it will have a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds, which is only 1.5 seconds less than

that of a current XJ 3.0 diesel.

Lotus believes that the car will have a relatively low top speed of 112mph, since no matter how light

or sleek the car is there comes a point when such a small engine will be devoting all its energy to

overcoming the aerodynamic drag of an XJ. On the positive side, the car is expected to have a CO2

rating of under 120g/km, which in turn suggests combined fuel economy of well over 50mpg

(compared with 40.1mpg for the current diesel) and a range of more than 600 miles.

Lotus Hybrid Engine for Jaguar

Jaguar Drivers’ Club - Kent Area 4 - Regional Magazine

KENT POSING FOR THE LOCAL PRESS - WHAT A STAR!

2

Jeff’s Spot

Once again I have to apologise to readers as it now appears that, despite my an-

nouncement last month, David Render will not be giving us his postponed talk

about “competition cars he has owned” at the October club night due to his con-

tinuing ill health. We have decided to move the quiz to the October club night and

then combine David Render’s talk with the mince pie evening on November 16th.

I am now taking bookings for our Christmas dinner which as usual will combine the

December club night & pub night and will be held earlier in the month on Monday

7th December. Details of the menu and costs will be found in this issue. Whilst on

the subject of club nights, if anyone has ideas for speakers next year please let me

know.

We have only one main event left this year and that is the weekend away at War-

ner’s Sinah Warren Hotel organized by Penny Booth, & I hope that all those who

have booked have a great time and that the weather is kind. Brenda & I will not be

going as we are away on holiday.

The treasure hunt planned for the 6th September didn’t happen as nobody volun-

teered to organize it but instead we met at the Minnis Bar & Restaurant for a lunch

time get together. Ten people turned up on a sunny but windy day.

The last car event in the program was the “Windsor Classic Car Show” organized

by Ray Tyler and an interesting article appears later in this issue.

This time of year the committee start to think about the program for next year and

we really do need feedback regarding the events we attended this year, whether you

want to return next year or if there are any other events you would like to see put in

for 2010. Whilst talking about the committee may I take this opportunity to thank

them for their input over the last year, and add my personal thanks to David for

taking up the editorship of this publication as without him it would have certainly

crumbled into oblivion.

The AGM is in January and we do have vacancies on the committee. If you think

you may be able to help us, please contact me.

Until next month,

Jeff Webb Area Representative/Chairman.

7

Annual Christmas Dinner At

THE DOG & BEAR

On Monday 7th December

MENU

Parsnip & Orange Soup

Roast Turkey with all the trimmings

Christmas Pudding

Tea or Coffee

Price £15-00p per person

Book early with Jeff as numbers are limited by space available

Can I say a big thank you to Robbie for her excellent report on the Windsor Classic

Car Show.

She has a refreshingly different style and she homed in on subjects that the male of

the species simply wouldn’t have considered and which will hopefully appeal to all

club members. A bit of variety helps to make this kind of newsletter much more inter-

esting and I do hope that I can prevail upon other members - including JWAGS - to

send in articles and reports for inclusion.

I have had pics. and articles from others in the past and it has not always been possi-

ble to use the material but please don’t be offended, it’s just availability of space.

Ed.

6

KENT AREA COMMITTEE 2008-9

Chairman & Area Representative - Jeff Webb, 01732 822607

Treasurer - Vacancy!

Secretary – Brenda Webb

Kentishman Editor – David Barnes, 01233 712350

Committee Members – Alan Mobbs, 020 8337 8077

Ray Tyler, 01276 63114

It would be appreciated if members do not telephone com-mittee members before 10:00 am or after 9:30 pm

October 2nd A weekend away at Warner’s Sinah Warren Hotel on Hayling Island for those who have already booked. December 7th Annual Christmas Dinner at the Dog & Bear

MAIN EVENTS

FOR HIRE

CLUB MARQUEE

FREE TO AREA 4 MEMBERS -

JUST A SMALL DONATION TO

AREA FUNDS

KENTISHMAN magazine is available by post only

and for an annual subscription of £10. New subscribers

wishing to receive a regular postal copy please provide details

for our database including name, address, contact telephone number and details of classic cars owned and send a cheque

for £10.00p payable to J.D.C. Kent Area 4 Kentishman to:-

J.D.C. KENT, c/o ‘Ramornie’, Warren Street Road,

Charing,

KENT

TN27 0HL

3

On the 3rd Monday of each month, members meet in a comfortable air-conditioned private function-room with it’s own bar at The Dog & Bear Hotel in Lenham (just off the A20 between Maidstone & Ashford. Meetings frequently fea-ture guest speakers covering a wide range of subjects.

October 19th Quiz

November 16th Presentation by David Render. “50 yrs of competition cars I’ve owned”. This is now combined with the mince pies evening. December 7th Christmas dinner at the Dog & Bear.

On the 1st Tuesday of each month, members get together at a different Kentish Hostelry for a bar meal or just a social evening out. Further details from Trevor Lang Tel:01622-757816

Oct 6th THE LEATHER BOTTLE at 54-56, The Street, Cobham, KENT, DA12 3BZ Tel 01474 814327 Nov 3rd THE PLOUGH at Taylors Lane, Trottiscliffe, West Malling, KENT, ME19 5DR Tel 01732 822233

CLUB NIGHTS

PUB NIGHTS

4

Personally, speaking as one of the JWAGs (Jaguar Wives and Girlfriends), I

think it’s fair to say that the regular faces, with the exception of one or two

who were unable to attend, had another enjoyable day at the Windsor Classic

Car Show and National Horse Carriage Trials.

The day started with the Kent Club’s version of The Krypton Factor. The first

task for the early arrivals was “Build a Gazebo”. Unfortunately, our leader was

unable to attend to supervise but, have no fear, the gazebo was erected first

time with just a few hic-ups and then slowly, more cars started to arrive. We

had 12 cars from our club and about 300 other classic cars on the fields. It

was another good display. There was auto-jumble and car-stuff stands, as well

as the other horsepower stands. (The type with four legs and a tail).

The horse carriage trials, were entertaining and there were some really hand-

some horses. I think the majority of people spent a good time watching. You

could buy whole body massager for your horse, as well as for yourself. Just

what you need at the end of a hard day……mmmm…………… or you can just relax

in an ultra modern and luxurious horse box/motor home, complete with soft

and spongy floor and shower area, and that’s for your horse!................for you,

a lovely furnished kitchen/dining area complete with cooker, microwave, sink,

dishwasher. Cream leather dining area with satelite T.V, DVD & CD player and

beds above, plus a luxurious toilet and shower room…. It really had to be seen

to be believed and it will only set you back a cool £1/4 million. So if you know

anyone that wants to buy a white E-type and Grey XJ40, I might be able to

throw in a chauffer/valet as well; please let me know.

The weather was a little overcast but that didn’t deter everyone from having a

good time, especially Shirley’s dad - affectionately known as “Pop” - who cele-

brated his 84th birthday with tea and home-made birthday fruit cake; his fa-

vourite.

Sadly, that’s the end of our “Sundays out” calendar for this year, but let’s

hope we’ll have just as much fun, if not more next year.

Signing off now,

Roberta (Robbie.)

P.S. H.R.H. Sends her regards to all those she missed.

Windsor Classic Car Show

5

OUR KRYPTON FACTOR RESULT IN THE DISTANCE

Windsor Pics.