Lotus Theory 1 supercar previews future tech
This 735kW electric concept is fast, but it also wants to be “immersive” to driveLotus has unveiled a radical electric supercar concept intended to preview the Geely-owned British performance specialist’s future production vehicle technologies.
The 2024 Lotus Theory 1 is a twin-motor all-wheel drive three seat supercar with a central driving position built around a lightweight recycled carbon-fibre tub.
It punches out 735kW, races from 0-100km/h in under 2.5 seconds, has a 320km/h top speed and claims a decent WLTP 402km range from a relatively modest 70kWh battery pack.
Part of the reason for that efficiency is the Theory 1 weighs in at under 1600kg. It uses lightweight and recycled materials including cellulose composite and polycarbonate for its 4490mm long, 1140mm high and 2000mm wide body. The wheelbase is 2650mm.
Other key technical specifications include steer by wire, active double wishbone front and rear suspension, AP Racing six-piston monoblock callipers clamping 390 x 36mm discs and 20-inch front and 21-inch rear Pirelli P-Zero Elect tyres as used by the current Lotus electric Eletre SUV, Emeya GT and Evija hypercar.
The Theory 1 also includes active and passive aerodynamics, advanced cooling, exterior and interior laser lights and a new reverse opening door system that enables easy entry and exit in tight spaces.
But while all that’s impressive, what Lotus is mainly touting is a new design manifesto called Lotus Theory which incorporates digital, natural and analogue core principles with the aim of simplifying and enhancing the vehicle’s feel and performance.
“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,” said Ben Payne, Vice President of Design, Lotus Group.
“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.”?
Lotus Theory includes Lotuswear, which aims to deliver an immersive experience to every passenger in the car.
Driven by NVIDIA computing power, Lotuswear includes an adaptive soft and lightweight robotic textile material enabling the car to “communicate” with the driver and passengers via inflatable pods on the seating and steering wheel.
The steering wheel pulses on the left and right sides to indicate when the driver should make a turn.
Other Lotuswear innovations include 3D printed headrests with binaural audio systems that channel separate sounds to each ear, making it feel like “the occupant is sitting in the middle of a recording studio”.
Lotuswear also includes a technology band running inside and outside the car that uses OLED technology to display vehicle functions. It also houses Theory 1’s level 4 autonomous driving sensors that scans for obstacles at a radius up to 200m round the car.
The Theory 1 also advises its driver when to turn, brake and accelerate via laser lights on the dashboard and RGB LEDs on the suspension modules that are visible from the interior.
The first evidence of this new technology could show up as soon as the Type 134 electric SUV that will sit below the Eletre and the Elise-replacing Type 135 sports car tentatively scheduled for 2027.
Related: 2027 Lotus Elise EV faces delays due to heavy battery tech
Related: 2025 Lotus Emeya arrives early and prices now set
Related: Lotus Eletre prices cut by up to $49,000
Related: Lotus Evija electric hypercar enters production
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