Skip advert
Advertisement

Lotus Theory 1 concept is a three-seat, 986bhp hypercar

With Veyron power, a carbon tub and EV underpinnings, the Lotus Theory 1 is more junior Evija than Emira successor

This is the Lotus Theory 1, a new electric-powered concept that’s the biggest statement of intent from the reinvented sports car brand since the Lotus Evija ushered in its Geely-owned era. Not only does the Theory 1 preview a super sports car but it’s also Lotus’s opening gambit for a new design manifesto, called The Lotus Theory.

Advertisement - Article continues below

First, the car. The Theory 1 may have half the Evija’s power but it has more in common with the hypercar than the Emira, Evora or Lotus sports car that’s come before. The Theory 1 is the first sub-Evija Lotus sports car to dispense with the bonded and extruded aluminium structure for which the company is well known, instead employing a (recycled) carbonfibre tub. Inspired by the Lotus 49, it also uses its motor and battery assembly as stressed members in the car’s structure, the pullrod rear suspension and active wing being mounted to this instead of a subframe.

The power and performance are more akin to a hypercar’s than what we’re familiar with from a traditional Lotus too. Even with half the Evija’s output it still has 986bhp. That’s fed to all four wheels, though it’s unclear whether it uses two or four motors. The battery is a 70kWh unit (compared to the Evija’s 93kWh battery), while range is a WLTP-certified 250 miles, identical to the Evija’s. Happily, as a result, the Theory 1 is lighter than the Evija. Though no precise figure has been given, it’s said to be under 1600kg. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

The Theory 1 can do 0-62mph in under 2.5 seconds, on the way to a 198mph top speed. Curiously, the the car also features steer-by-wire, like the Eletre, though it’s unclear whether there’s a backup column too.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There’s also been a big sustainability push in the Theory 1, with Lotus reducing the number of ‘A-surface’ materials down from the average of 100 used by a typical new car to just 10. As such, the futuristic-looking bodywork is made of cellulose composite and polycarbonate, with other lightweight, durable, recyclable materials such as titanium and aluminium also incorporated. Even the glass is sustainable, with the greenhouse being made of recycled glass. 

What about the styling? There’s certainly some distance between it and the Evija, which at this point is a five-year-old design. It’s definitely identifiable as a relation of the Lotus Emeya and Lotus Eletre, with quite a bit of ’70s, almost Gandini-esque wedge going on. Lower down, there’s a lot of airflow management taking place beneath the car, fed through those exposed carbon elements.

In terms of its dimensions, the Theory 1 is actually as wide as and longer than the Evija, though it is taller by 18mm. In spite of its physical breadth, novel reverse-opening wrap-over doors ensure a small footprint with the doors open, meaning ingress and egress in tight spots should be easier than with other sports cars of its kind.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

Open those doors and peer inside and you realise the Theory 1 is quite unlike any Lotus that’s come before, Evija included. That’s because it’s a three-seater, with the driver in the middle and a passenger seated further back on either side, McLaren F1-style. Unconventional for Lotus this may be, but when it comes to the Theory 1 cabin, that’s only where the weirdness begins.

Let’s talk Lotuswear, a proprietary system that immerses the occupants with personalised experiences. For the driver, this means inflatable elements in the seating and even steering wheel, that do their thing in real time to improve support, grip and deliver subtle prompts. When you need to take a left, for instance, the left side of the wheel will pulse. The seats can adapt for use in Tour mode versus Track mode, varying comfort and support. Lotus has developed this in tandem with wearable robotics company MotorSkins.

Advertisement - Article continues below

KEF binaural audio is also integrated into the 3D-printed lattice carbon headrests on the seats and can deliver bespoke soundscapes and ‘speed’ sounds. It also features noise-cancelling tech.

Lotuswear also includes that OLED band running inside and outside the car that can deliver messages to the driver as well as other road users and pedestrians. It’s also an homage to the ‘joining band’ on the Lotus Esprit. The Theory 1 uses Nvidia Drive computing to integrate the Lotuswear system and the 360-degree, quad-LiDAR, six-camera exterior monitoring system that, yes, can also allow it to drive autonomously. Needless to say, the whole user experience is very sci-fi.

So what’s The Lotus Theory, then? Well, it comprises three core principals: Digital, Natural and Analogue, or DNA – get it? Ben Payne, Lotus Group vice president of design, explains: ‘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.

‘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.’

How all of this will translate to a future Lotus production model, we’ll have to wait and see.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

The Caterham Project V is Britain's answer to the electric Porsche Cayman
Caterham Project V
News

The Caterham Project V is Britain's answer to the electric Porsche Cayman

Caterham’s new age electric coupe will pack Yamaha powertrain tech and liquid-cooled batteries, with development due to be completed later this year
13 Jan 2025
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N DK Edition is a road-legal drifter’s special
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N DK Edition
News

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N DK Edition is a road-legal drifter’s special

The Ioniq 5 N has already proven itself to be one of the most capable EVs on the market, and the new DK Edition takes things up a notch further
10 Jan 2025
Lotus Eletre 2025 review – is Hethel's 'hyper SUV' a Cayenne killer?
Lotus Eletre front
Reviews

Lotus Eletre 2025 review – is Hethel's 'hyper SUV' a Cayenne killer?

The Eletre is the most ambitious Lotus yet, tasked with selling in volumes to shore up the firm's bottom line.
8 Jan 2025
The Honda 0 Saloon is lightweight, wedge-shaped and comes with Asimo onboard
Honda 0 Series – Saloon front
News

The Honda 0 Saloon is lightweight, wedge-shaped and comes with Asimo onboard

Honda’s next-generation 0 Series EVs will come to market in 2026 – here’s what you can expect
7 Jan 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

2025 VED car tax: what you'll be paying
VED car tax 2025
Advice

2025 VED car tax: what you'll be paying

The latest car tax changes explained, including new pricing for EVs and hybrids and increased prices for higher-emission vehicles
3 Jan 2025
The Spirit Racing 12R is the ultimate Mazda MX-5, but we can’t have it
Mazda Spirit Racing Roadster 12R MX5
News

The Spirit Racing 12R is the ultimate Mazda MX-5, but we can’t have it

Mazda has launched the Spirit Racing Roadster 12R, improving on the MX-5’s tried-and-tested formula with track-inspired upgrades
10 Jan 2025
New Subaru WRX S210 STI – the most focused STI has a CVT gearbox
Subaru WRX S210 STI – front
News

New Subaru WRX S210 STI – the most focused STI has a CVT gearbox

Subaru’s WRX S210 STI evokes the spirit of our favourite hot Imprezas, with one major caveat
10 Jan 2025