Lotus previews future sports cars with EV concept

Lotus has revealed Theory 1a concept car intended to preview the brand’s all-electric future and the technologies that will begin appearing on its performance cars in the coming years.

The Theory 1 is a two-door electric sports car with a design that Lotus claims is inspired by the old Esprit, with a sharp wedge-like front end leading to a pointed front edge and a cabin positioned towards the front of the car.

While the Esprit has a cockpit positioned further forward to accommodate a mid-mounted engine, the Theory 1 has no such requirement due to its electric drivetrain.

Lotus has made it clear that this car is just a concept, with no plans to put it into production. Instead, the features found on the Theory 1 will likely influence the British brand’s future high-performance electric vehicles (EVs).

Hundreds of new car deals available through Car expert now. Get help from experts and get a great deal. Browse Now.

Lotus says its aim with the Theory 1 is to “prove that you don’t have to compromise” when producing a high-performance car for the future, with “both digital and analogue capabilities working in harmony” to create a futuristic car.

The Theory 1 is built on a carbon fiber bed with three seats, with the driver’s seat in the middle of the car and two passenger seats in the back – quite similar to the arrangement of the iconic McLaren F1.

Unlike the McLaren, the all-wheel-drive Theory 1 is equipped with a 70kWh battery and can produce a maximum power of 735kW.

The car can accelerate from 0-100km/h in less than 2.5 seconds, while the top speed is said to be 320km/h.

Lotus also claims an electric range of 402km on the WLTP test cycle.

Theory 1 measures 4490mm long, 2000mm wide, 1140mm high and weighs under 1600kg.

The car is similar in size and weight to the Evija supercar, although that car has a peak power output of 1500kW with the help of a 93kWh battery.

Inside, the Theory 1 is equipped with a head-up display, while screens on either side of the dashboard show footage from behind the car since it doesn’t have conventional rear-view mirrors.

The seats are also integrated into the body and feature unique materials designed to support the “smart driving” concept.

The material is described as a “soft, lightweight, adaptive robotic textile” that can respond to signals from outside the vehicle and adapt to communicate information to the driver.

The Theory 1’s seats and steering wheel are also equipped with inflatable chambers to provide haptic feedback, which can perform functions such as generating pulses to notify the driver of a vehicle behind them or when they should turn.

The chair’s headrests are also equipped with 3D-printed mesh material to reduce weight and improve comfort, and include built-in speakers like those you’d find in Mazda MX-5.

The Theory 1’s doors open backwards and cover the entire roof. Lotus says this design helps keep the footprint small, making the most of the car’s doors and making it easy to get in and out of even tight parking spaces.

The rear of the car has an active rear spoiler and passive underbody, all of which help create downforce and reduce drag.

Lotus says it took inspiration from the 1967 Lotus 49 Formula 1 car to develop the powertrain and suspension, as the motor and battery are designed to transfer power directly from the suspension, reducing complexity and weight.

The rear wing is also directly attached to the engine and suspension assembly, while the entire car is built from ten key “A-surface materials”, with an emphasis on performance, durability, weight and recyclability.

Those materials include cellulose-based fiberglass and titanium, along with recycled materials such as chopped carbon fiber, rubber, polyester and aluminum.

Click on the image to see the full gallery