Lotus has revealed the Theory 1a concept car intended to preview its all-electric future and the technologies that will appear on its performance cars in the coming years.
The Theory 1 is a two-door electric sports car with a design that Lotus says is inspired by the Esprit of old, headlined by a sharp wedge-shaped profile that leads to a pointed front end and a cabin that sits towards the front of the car. auto.
While the Esprit’s cabin was moved further forward to accommodate a mid-engine, the Theory 1 does not have this requirement due to its electric powertrain.
Lotus has made it clear that this car is just a concept and there are no plans to put it into production. Instead, The Theory 1’s features will likely influence future electric vehicles (EVs) from the British brand.
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Lotus says the intention with the Theory 1 was to “demonstrate that you don’t have to compromise” when producing a performance car for the future, with “both digital and analogue capabilities working harmoniously” to create a future car to create.
The Theory 1 is built atop a three-seat carbon bucket, with the driver’s seat located in the center of the car and flanked by two passenger seats further back – similar to the arrangement in the iconic McLaren F1.
Unlike the McLaren, the all-wheel drive Theory 1 is powered by a 70 kWh battery and can produce a maximum of 735 kW of power.
The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h can be done in less than 2.5 seconds, while the claimed top speed is 320 km/h.
Lotus also claims an electric range of 402 km according to the WLTP test cycle.
The Theory 1 is 4490mm long, 2000mm wide and 1140mm high and weighs less than 1600kg.
It’s similar in size and weight to the Evija supercar, although that car produces a whopping 1500kW using a 93kWh battery.
Inside, the Theory 1 features a head-up display, while screens on either side of the dashboard show images from behind the vehicle, as there are no conventional side mirrors.
The seats are also built into the car’s body and feature a unique material designed to support the idea of ’intelligent driving’.
The material has been described as an “adaptive soft and lightweight robotic textile material,” which can respond to cues from outside the car and adapt to relay information to the driver.
The Theory 1’s seats and steering wheel are also equipped with inflatable pods that provide haptic feedback, which can, for example, create pulses to inform the driver of a car behind or when to make a turn.
The seats’ headrests also feature 3D-printed grille material to reduce weight and improve comfort, and feature built-in speakers like those you’d find in a Mazda MX-5.
The Theory 1’s doors open backwards and wrap over the roof of the car. Lotus says such a design helps maintain a small footprint, maintaining full use of the doors and easy access even in tight parking spaces.
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Esprit -
Theory 1
At the rear there is an active rear wing and a passive underbody, all of which help produce downforce and reduce drag.
Lotus says it took inspiration from the 1967 Lotus 49 Formula 1 car to develop the engine and suspension, as the engine and battery were designed to take forces directly from the suspension, reducing complexity and weight are reduced.
The rear wing is also mounted directly to the engine and suspension, while the entire car is constructed from ten key ‘A-surface materials’ for performance, durability, weight and recyclability.
Such materials include cellulose-based fiberglass and titanium, along with recycled materials such as chopped carbon fiber, rubber, polyester and aluminum.
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