Lotus has unveiled the Concept 1, an idea automotive meant to preview its all-electric future and the applied sciences that may start to seem on its efficiency vehicles within the coming years.
The Concept 1 is a two-door electrical sports activities automotive that incorporates a design Lotus claims was impressed by the Esprit of outdated, headlined by a pointy wedge-like profile that results in a pointed entrance edge and a cabin that sits in the direction of the entrance of the automotive.
Whereas the Esprit had its cabin positioned additional ahead to suit a mid-mounted engine, the Concept 1 has no such requirement because of its electrical powertrain.
Lotus has made it clear this automotive is just an idea, with no plans to place it into manufacturing. As a substitute, the options discovered on the Concept 1 are more likely to affect future efficiency electrical autos (EVs) from the British model.
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Lotus says its intention with the Concept 1 was to “exhibit that you just don’t have to compromise” when producing a efficiency automotive for the long run, with “each digital and analogue capabilities working harmoniously” to create a future automotive.
The Concept 1 is constructed atop a carbon tub with three seats, with the motive force’s seat positioned within the centre of the automotive and flanked by two passenger seats additional again – very like the association within the iconic McLaren F1.
In contrast to the McLaren, the all-wheel drive Concept 1 is fed by a 70kWh battery and may produce a most of 735kW of energy.
The 0-100km/h dash may be performed in below 2.5 seconds, whereas the claimed prime velocity is 320km/h.
Lotus additionally claims electrical vary of 402km below the WLTP take a look at cycle.
The Concept 1 measures in at 4490mm lengthy, 2000mm extensive, and 1140mm tall, and weighs in at lower than 1600kg.
It’s comparable in dimension and weight to the Evija supercar, although that automotive outputs a colossal 1500kW with the assistance of a 93kWh battery.
Inside, the Concept 1 incorporates a head-up show, whereas screens on both aspect of the dashboard present footage from behind the car because it lacks typical aspect mirrors.
Its seats are additionally constructed into the physique of the automotive, and have a novel materials designed to help the thought of “clever driving”
The fabric has been described as an “adaptive gentle and light-weight robotic textile materials”, which may reply to prompts from outdoors the automotive and adapt to relay info to the motive force.
The Concept 1’s seats and steering wheel are additionally fitted with inflatable pods to offer haptic suggestions, which may do issues like create pulses to tell the motive force of a automotive behind or when they need to make a flip.
The seats’ headrests are additionally fitted with 3D-printed lattice materials to scale back weight and enhance consolation, and embrace in-built audio system like what you’d discover in a Mazda MX-5.
The Concept 1’s doorways open backwards and wrap over the roof of the automotive. Lotus says such a design helps to take care of a small footprint, sustaining full use of its doorways and easy accessibility even in tight parking areas.
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Concept 1
On the rear is an lively rear wing and passive underbody, all of which serving to to supply downforce and scale back drag.
Lotus says it drew inspiration from the 1967 Lotus 49 System One automotive to develop the motor and suspension association, because the motor and battery are designed to take the forces straight from the suspension, decreasing complexity and weight.
The rear wing has additionally been mounted on to the motor and suspension meeting, whereas the entire automotive has been constructed from ten most important “A-surface supplies” with efficiency, sturdiness, weight, and recyclability in thoughts.
Such supplies included cellulose-based glass fibre and titanium, together with recycled supplies like chopped carbon fibre, rubber, polyester, and aluminium.
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