Lotus Engineering has been selected by Obvio! Automotoveiculos S.A., a new Brazilian carmaker based in Rio de Janeiro, to develop two 'trybrid microsports cars' in a deal potentially worth over £70 million.

The lightweight urban cars, designated 828 and 012, will be the first products for the new Brazilian company. Their design is to include an advanced vehicle structure based on aerospace technology, ‘trybrid’ engines that will run on gasoline, bio-ethanol or natural gas, and other powertrain variants.

First markets for the cars will include the U.S., Europe and Japan.

Lotus Engineering will work with Brazilian suppliers to develop two bodies that incorporate Niess Elliptical Survival Rings, already proven in the aerospace industry. The concept is intended to also allow for very light structures - the target weight for the 012 is 750kgs (1,648 lbs) and the 828 is 600kgs (1,318 lbs). The vehicles are expected to offer good performance while also using highly efficient and economical power plants.

The two models are to also incorporate other unusual features, such as being configured with the driver and two passengers sitting three-abreast, and scissor-type doors.

Initially, power will come from a 1.6-litre unit produced by Brazilian engine manufacturer Tritec Motors. Lotus is to develop a new engine management unit to allow the engine to run on natural gas, bio-ethanol or gasoline. In parallel, Lotus will develop 170hp and 250hp turbocharged variants for higher performance Obvio! models. Electrically-powered variants of both cars are expected to follow shortly after the trybrid models.

Obvio! has alrealiterdy signed a US$700m contract to supply a total of 50,000 units a year to its North American distributor, California-based ZAP - Zero Air Pollution (OTCBB: ZAAP). Distributors for other markets will be appointed over the next 18 months, the company said.