- Lotus Theory 1 supercar gets 1,000 PS
- Concept car showcases new Lotus design philosophy
- Inflatable wearable tech adapts to make you more comfortable
- Chassis inspired by 1960s F1 car
Here’s a sneak peek at what the nextLotus supercar might look like after the British firm unveiled its new Theory 1 concept.
Lotus has been developing a new design philosophy that’ll underpin everything it does in the future.
And this is the first embodiment of it - the Theory 1 - which ‘harmoniously fits around the driver and is able to adapt based on their needs – delivering the ultimate driver experience’, says Lotus.
It’s a fully-electric, all-wheel drive three seater with a central driving position and two passengers located either side.
A 70 kWh battery provides power of 1,000 PS and a neck-straining 0-62 mph acceleration time of just 2.5 seconds. It’ll also hit a top speed of 198 mph.
In spite of all that pace and power, Lotus reckons the Theory 1 is also good for around 250 miles worth of range before the battery needs recharging.
.jpg)
That’s largely thanks to sophisticated active and passive aerodynamics, including drag-reducing air deflectors, a passive rear underbody and an active rear spoiler.
Lotus has also taken inspiration from the legendary Lotus 49 Formula 1 car from the 1960s in making the Theory 1 as agile as possible. It uses its motor and battery assembly as a stressed member to take the forces directly from the suspension. That means there’s no need for a subframe so there’s less weight.
Speaking of weight, the Theory 1 also features a super lightweight, high performance carbon ceramic braking system.
And before you even step inside the Theory 1, you’re going to have to don a special suit that forms part of a complex, immersive ‘LOTUSWEAR’ system. Lotus reckons it’s the first time the tech has been used in the automotive industry.
The LOTUSWEAR features robotic material that can ‘communicate’ with the driver. If it senses that you’re uncomfortable, it’ll inflate pods in the seating or steering wheel to put you at ease.
It’ll also pulse on the left and right hand side of the steering wheel to indicate when you need to make a turn.
Meanwhile the Lotus 360-degree ‘autonomous driving sensor suite’ makes use of four LiDARs, six HD cameras, and ultrasonic radars to scan for potential hazards within a 200m radius in the blink of an eye.
Ben Payne, Vice President of Design, Lotus Group, said: “With Theory 1, we’ve built on everything Lotus has achieved so far in its 76-year history, to push the boundaries for what it means to drive a performance vehicle. We want to demonstrate that you don’t need to compromise – with both digital and analogue capabilities working harmoniously in the future car. In doing this, we are able to bring drivers the best possible immersive driving experience with raw emotion, functionality and connectivity, at the core.”
Enjoyed this? Read our latest news
- Meet the skilled car mechanic flying the flag for females in automotive
- New Flying Spur is most powerful four-door Bentley ever
- Royals runabouts: Reading FC players talk CARS
- Audi A6 e-tron - full specs revealed!
- Renault showcases the R17 electric restomod
Where To Next?
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to our newsletter.
Looking for a great leasing deal? Check out our incredible range of special offers.
Read our latest reviews and find the right model for you.
Want to know more about leasing? Take a look at our comprehensive leasing guides.
Interested in everything motoring? Why not catch up on all the latest car leasing news.
