Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X
The automaker Lotus unveiled its new concept car, Theory 1, on Tuesday—a fully electric three-seater inspired by the Lotus 49 Formula 1 car. The carmaker sees the model as a canvas for its design R&D programmes which include both “lifestyle EVs and sportscars”.
Featuring a central driving position with a passenger seat on each side, the Theory 1 accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in under 2.5 seconds and has a top speed of about 199 mph. Its 70 kWh battery offers a WLTP range of 250 miles, according to Lotus.
| Powertrain and Performance | |
| Battery capacity | 70 kWh |
| 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) | <2.5 seconds |
| Max power | 1000 PS |
| Top speed | 320 kph |
| WLTP combined range | 402 km / 250 miles |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
The carmaker said the model features its 360-degree autonomous driving sensor suite including L4 hardware capability of four deployable LiDARs, six HD cameras, and a “combination of long- and short-range millimeter radars, plus ultrasonic radars, delivering 360° (5x) perception coverage”.
Lotus stated the system is able to identify obstacles at a radius of up to 200 meters around the car, in every direction, even in low light or inclement weather.
The car features steer-by-wire technology with Lotus claiming better precision and control and “the ability to adjust steering ratios, speed and feel”.
Lotus’s Vice President of Design Ben Payne said that, with the new concept car, the company “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,” he added.
Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X
