During the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este I filmed the Lotus Theory 1 Concept Car.
This is the Lotus Theory 1, a pure concept that’s aiming to draw together a few of Lotus’ historically core values before we forget that Lotus does other stuff than tech-tilted, luxury electric SUVs.
But it’s also a projection of what those values might be in a world that’s electric and digital-heavy. Which is a weird niche to navigate when you consider what most of us would consider to be ‘Lotus values’, because words like lightweight, simple, innovative, and analogue aren’t usually associated with electric cars.
Trouble is, if you’re being cynical, it could look like a bit of a relevance-grab to take our mind off the big electric things in the current Lotus roster. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a look. The issue seems to be that most are pretty sanguine about the need to produce cars that actually sell globally (and we’re talking China and North America), which means - at the moment - electric and SUV-ish.
But the Eletre and Emeya, good as they are, are Chinese platforms, built in China (Wuhan, to be precise) and released in China before Europe. To drive, they’re pretty damn good, but they’re also big, heavy, luxury and electric. Precious little in there to point at and say ‘now that’s Lotus’.
The next car will be a mid-sized electric SUV - think Porsche Macan-sized - so the Theory 1 is a kind of reminder that people at Lotus are still thinking about what it actually means to be a Lotus, past just wearing the badge.
Unfortunately, there does appear to be a lot of fluff to wade through before you get to the actual car. But it’s worth it; context is everything. When you first read up on the Theory 1, it feels like there’s a lot of earnest conceptualising going on; enough to make it sound all a bit like a marketing presentation. There’s Lotus’ overarching commitment to the ‘Vision80’ plan to transform itself into a ‘global performance technology brand’, which then devolves into the Theory 1 launching ‘The Lotus Theory’ design manifesto for all forthcoming Lotus cars.
In turn, that’s broken down into ‘DNA’ or Digital, Natural, Analogue. Digital, to represent ‘immersive and intuitive experience’, Analogue for ‘emotional, human-centric design’, and Analogue, to stand for the company’s ‘continuous advancement of performance engineering’. Gah. It’s enough to make you want to go and bolt an LS2 V8 into an Exige and just do burnouts.
So, some numbers. Single-speed transmission, all-wheel drive and an almighty 986bhp (1,000PS, if you hadn’t guessed). Weight below 1,600kg, inclusive of a 70kWh battery for 250 miles of range. 0-62mph in less than 2.5 seconds, top speed of 199mph. The Theory 1 is fast. In theory.
But it isn’t just all smoke ’n’ mirrors. Although it’s obviously not a production car, when you spend time with the people behind it and the actual car, it really does start to make sense. And it doesn’t feel like concept nonsense. For a start, it’s not a ridiculous silhouette, just a neat mid-engined-looking type thing. Bits of Lamborghini in the double-pointed nose, with some Ford GT90 vibes in that heavy rear clamshell. Complex, Evija-ish wheels over AP Racing calipers. There’s a clean, sharp nose, sidepods behind the front wheels and a deep waisted side, all feeding a big, double-hooped rear diffuser and active rear wing, itself sat over exposed rear suspension.
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Michael - Automotive Mike
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