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NEWSGOT A STORY Email our news editor will.rimell@haymarket.com Front lidar To allow for the planned level-four autonomous systems, the Theory 1 features a lidar sensor that pops up when required – it’s a nod to the pop- up Esprit S1 lights. Laser lights Daytime-running lights are made from laser wires, developed by Kyocera SLD Laser, which are less than 1mm thick. “They’re in tension here, floating in three-dimensional space,” said Ben Payne. “It’s the most lightweight package we’ve found.” Side light strip The OLED line down the side of the car can be used to communicate to other road users or for other info, such as denoting when the car is charging. EXCLUSIVE PICTURES he radical new Lotus Theory 1 concept is a three-seat, 986bhp supercar designed to evoke the spirit of the Esprit as a brand-building performance showcase that will be a “blueprint” for all of the fi rm’s future cars. The new supercar uses a twin-motor all-wheel-drive electric powertrain that LOTUS CHANNELS ESPRIT Theory 1 concept draws on Esprit’s ethos to pack 986bhp electric punch T draws energy from a 70kWh battery mounted next to the rear motor in the lightweight carbonfibre tub. I t has a claimed 0-62mph time of less than 2.5sec and a top speed of 199mph. The Theory 1 displays subtle styling nods to the Series 1 Esprit, but the link is more in the ethos of the project. “When the Esprit launched, it was a superbold expression of futurism,” said Lotus chief creative officer Ben Payne. “We’re taking that ideology and trying to work out what it means today.” While the Theory 1 is of fi cially a concept – which explains why it doesn’t have a Lotus Type number – Payne said around 85% of its technical features are production ready, and he hinted that a road-going version could follow. “We create these things to gauge public reaction, so we will listen to what people say,” he said. “There are elements of it that you will see quickly in other vehicles and parts that will inform many other things.” DESIGN AND STYLINGLotuskick-started its electric reinvention under Geely ownership with the 2011bhp Evija hypercar, which was followed by the Eletre SUV and the Emeya saloon, with a smaller SUV due to follow. The Theory 1 showcases the fi rm’s vision for the nex t wave of vehicles – and i t is 4 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 18 SEPTEMBER 2024
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Doors The Theory 1 is accessed via reverse- opening and wrap-over doors. Payne said they were developed to minimise the footprint by extending the least possible distance from the car. They can be opened in a 2.4-metre parking space. IN THE ESPRIT’S TYRE TRACKS The transformative Lotus Esprit was born from a programme to develop a successor to the Europa, but the finished product was a remarkably different design and among the first of designer Giorgetto Giugiaro’s wedge-shaped ‘folded paper’ designs. Production began in 1976, with more than 10,000 Esprits produced across various generations before it was discontinued in 2004. Helped by its appearance in Roger Moore-era James Bond fi lms, the Esprit transformed the fortunes of then-struggling Lotus. N E W S Esprit’s popularity was buoyed by starring roles in Bond films hypercar. “It’s high performance, but not the ultimate extreme end of it ,” said Payne. “It ’s about a balanced proposition with a fantastic car and a great user experience, which can give some real direct translation of our core brand back into an electric performance vehicle.” TO SHOWCASE FUTURE purposefully positioned as a supercar rather than a The concept showcases Lotus’s new ‘design manifesto’, termed DNA, for ‘Digital, Natural and Analogue’. The approach is based around the use of intelligent technology and performance engineering to develop driver-focused cars. Styling for the Theory 1 was led by the team at Lotus’s design centre in Coventry, and the concept sits on a bespoke platform. The Theory 1 is 4490mm long and just 1140mm tall, with a 2650mm wheelbase. Payne said the design and engineering teams worked together closely to “balance creating something that was aesthetically pleasing and functionally correct”. The car is in effect split into two sections, with a heavily sculpted lower tub in exposed carbonfibre topped by a white body that merges into a large glass dome roof. Engineer Phil Hall said: “Really, there’s a singleseater race car structure underneath, in terms of the structure, suspension and aerodynamics, but with a nice dress on top to make it more approachable as an everyday road car proposition.” The front end features a diffuser and drag-reducing air deflectors, which are designed to create an air curtain to reduce wake. That works in conjunction with a sculpted underside that directs air into the cooling system before being directed to reduce drag and optimise the downforce of the adjustable rear wing. Despite the emphasis on aerodynamics, style was an important consideration. Exterior design lead Amar  18 SEPTEMBER 2024 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 5

Doors The Theory 1 is accessed via reverse- opening and wrap-over doors. Payne said they were developed to minimise the footprint by extending the least possible distance from the car. They can be opened in a 2.4-metre parking space.

IN THE ESPRIT’S TYRE TRACKS

The transformative Lotus Esprit was born from a programme to develop a successor to the Europa, but the finished product was a remarkably different design and among the first of designer Giorgetto Giugiaro’s wedge-shaped ‘folded paper’ designs.

Production began in 1976, with more than 10,000 Esprits produced across various generations before it was discontinued in 2004. Helped by its appearance in Roger Moore-era James Bond fi lms, the Esprit transformed the fortunes of then-struggling Lotus.

N E

W S

Esprit’s popularity was buoyed by starring roles in Bond films hypercar.

“It’s high performance, but not the ultimate extreme end of it ,” said Payne. “It ’s about a balanced proposition with a fantastic car and a great user experience, which can give some real direct translation of our core brand back into an electric performance vehicle.”

TO SHOWCASE FUTURE purposefully positioned as a supercar rather than a

The concept showcases Lotus’s new ‘design manifesto’, termed DNA, for ‘Digital, Natural and Analogue’. The approach is based around the use of intelligent technology and performance engineering to develop driver-focused cars. Styling for the Theory 1 was led by the team at Lotus’s design centre in Coventry, and the concept sits on a bespoke platform.

The Theory 1 is 4490mm long and just 1140mm tall, with a 2650mm wheelbase. Payne said the design and engineering teams worked together closely to “balance creating something that was aesthetically pleasing and functionally correct”.

The car is in effect split into two sections, with a heavily sculpted lower tub in exposed carbonfibre topped by a white body that merges into a large glass dome roof.

Engineer Phil Hall said: “Really, there’s a singleseater race car structure underneath, in terms of the structure, suspension and aerodynamics, but with a nice dress on top to make it more approachable as an everyday road car proposition.”

The front end features a diffuser and drag-reducing air deflectors, which are designed to create an air curtain to reduce wake. That works in conjunction with a sculpted underside that directs air into the cooling system before being directed to reduce drag and optimise the downforce of the adjustable rear wing.

Despite the emphasis on aerodynamics, style was an important consideration. Exterior design lead Amar 

18 SEPTEMBER 2024 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 5

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