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After all the brouhaha about Lotus building a crossover and the number of twitchy moustaches that set off, we can reveal that the company has indeed been involved with developing a crossover.

But this one won't be wearing a Lotus badge and nor will it use a normal internal combustion engine.

ZAP is the company behind the ZAP-X Crossover and it was they who commissioned Lotus to help advance its electric drive system.

The vehicle will use individual electric motors in the hubs of each individual wheels to give it four-wheel drive and also the ability to tailor the amount of power each wheel receives.

Combined together, the four electric motors produce the equivalent of 644bhp, so the ZAP-X is set to be one of the swiftest crossovers out here, with the firm predicting a top speed of 155mph and 0-62mph in 4.8 secs.

Lotus has also been involved with developing the lightweight aluminium structure for the car, while ZAP is working on a new type of battery that should be able to be fully charged in 10 minutes and allow up to 350 miles between charges.

No word on prices or a launch date yet, but expect the ZAP-X Crossover not to hit showrooms before 2009.

source: topgear