ZAP, an electric car pioneer, earlier unveiled the concept drawings of its X Crossover SUV on its website. The images are also highlighted in the April 2007 issue of Popular Science in the article titled ‘Who killed the gas guzzler?' where you can also find an interview with Steve Schneider, the ZAP CEO.

The ZAP-X compact crossover SUV images highlight the technology, styling and the potent performance that the company wanted to integrate into the vehicle. The concept will feature all-wheel drive complemented with in-hub electric motors and other performance parts. The vehicle is capable of producing an astounding 644 horsepower and an impressive top speed of 155mph. The performance is achieved by combining a lightweight aluminum chassis, refined battery management system and a new proficient drive system. Basically, the goal of the vehicle is to achieve 350-mile range with a swift recharging time of ten minutes.

ZAP and Lotus Engineering will begin the first phase of an engineering project to use the British consultancy's APX or Aluminum Performance Crossover as a basis for designing the X-concept electric all-wheel drive crossover high performance vehicle for ZAP in the American market.

Steve Schneider, the CEO of ZAP, was earlier quoted saying: "Lotus Engineering's APX technology demonstrator vehicle is a perfect fit for our plans to introduce a full product portfolio of electric cars. Due to the initial design by Lotus, our cost and time to production will be significantly reduced. We believe that the ZAP-X will become the most advanced, most practical and most appealing flagship electric vehicle to date and will revolutionize the industry providing the driver with the enjoyment of a sports car and the practicality of an SUV."

"Lotus Engineering's APX is a world-class innovative concept and was developed to showcase real solutions to new challenges facing the automotive industry. So it's very satisfying that ZAP's proposed new model will make use of a great deal of the APX concept's advanced body structure and chassis technology. The bringing together of these next-generation vehicle technologies represents another significant step forward for automotive technology," said Mike Kimberley, the CEO of Group Lotus.

The concept is based on the APX technical demonstrator vehicle by Lotus Engineering. Lotus has contributed some of the most successful cars in the history. It is also one of the world's premier auto consultancies. The company has been employed by many of the major automakers to develop engineering services on concept and production cars. Lotus is one of the two original equipment manufacturers (OEM) that have expertise in design, production and marketing its own product lines. This fact gives the company a remarkable edge in the automotive realm.

"We believe that the ZAP-X will become the most advanced, most practical and most appealing flagship electric vehicle to date and will revolutionize the industry providing the driver with the enjoyment of a sports car and the practicality of an SUV," noted Schneider.