Lotus has whipped the covers off its new Porsche smashing concept car.
Dubbed the Theory 1, the wild looking electric concept car will form the basis for all future Lotus car design.
Lotus Group Vice President of Design Ben Payne, said: “We are able to bring drivers the best possible immersive driving experience with raw emotion, functionality and connectivity, at the core.”
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Under the wild curves, sharp aerodynamics and glass igloo covered cockpit lies a potent electric set-up.
The concept uses a 70kWh battery to feed two electric motors making a combined 735kW sent to all four wheels.
It’s only a concept but Lotus said it would have a 402km driving range and a 0-100km/h time of under 2.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 320km/h if it became a reality.
A three-seat layout puts the driver front and centre with two passenger seats offset either side.
Its tub is made out of recycled carbon fibre and the body from plant derived materials and extremely tough transparent thermoplastics, which is likely aimed at keeping weight down.
Lotus said a weight of less than 1600kg would be the target for the concept.
The cockpit’s greenhouse is made from recycled glass.
Fat Pirelli P-Zero Elect rubber wraps the 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels.
Performance brakes adds stopping power and active damping would make for a dynamic driving car in all conditions.
The low slung sports car concept measures just 1140mm high and 4490mm long with a wheelbase of 2650mm.
The Theory 1’s foundations are more conventional Lotus but the concept — as most concepts do — has some whacky features that move away from Lotus’ pure and uncomplicated image.
It has textile-based wearable robotics, which enable the car to communicate with the driver and passengers.
One example Lotus gives is: “Inflatable pods on the seating and steering wheel that will react in real time to offer more support, grip, and subtle prompts via personalised haptic feedback. For instance: Pulses on the left and right sides of the wheel will indicate when the driver should make a turn."
It also has 3D printed lattice structure headrests that reduce “the weight, improving material efficiency and optimising aerodynamics”.
An immersive sound system lets passengers “enhance ‘speed’ sounds to deliver a sense of thrill, exhilaration, and fun”.
It can also act as noise cancellation and to “level up” entertainment.
A digital system uses intelligent light, LED and laser light components and reflections to warn drivers of obstacles, when to brake and turn.
None of these features are likely to debut on a future production car anytime soon, but give a glimpse of future tech.
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