Following two years of careful planning and intense development, the prototype of the world’s first motorcycle to bear the legendary Lotus marque is now road registered and ready for action. But first let me mention that the Lotus C-01 motorcycle is not designed, engineered or produced by Group Lotus plc but is the result of a collaboration between motorsport veterans under the leadership of Kodewa based in Germany, lead by Dr Colin Kolles. The development on the C-01 was carried out with the support of Holzer Group (co-owners of Kalex) and Daniel Simon (Former Volkswagen senior designer.) Drawing on their wealth of motorsport experience, the team of engineers has designed a unique high performance super bike.
The C-01 combines ample power via a 200 hp V-twin engine with a distinctive body designed by Daniel Simon integrating carbon fiber, titanium and aerospace quality steel. The C-01 will be available in a range of liveries some of which pay homage to Lotus’ sporting pedigree. A customization service is also available, limited only by the imagination of the client. With an exclusive production run of just 100 units Will Lotus fans and collectors rush to secure one?
The original idea to create the C-01 came from Kodewa’s Dr Colin Kolles. Speaking about the project he said: “We set out to create a bike that isn’t just great to ride but also represents a piece of art in motion. Over the years I have seen my fair share of style over substance, what this bike brings to the market is a unique combination of both: state of the art technology with a truly jaw-dropping aesthetic.”
Commenting on the C-01 Güther Holzer, CEO of Holzer Group said: “I was one of the first people to ride it and I have to say I was very impressed. Together we have found that delicate balance between raw, aggressive power and breath-taking handling. The team has created something very special, it looks incredible, it sounds fantastic but above all, the ride is sensational. I’m very happy.”
Designer Daniel Simon said: “The design process of the Lotus C-01 was a labor of love. There were many challenges, ensuring that the bike not only touches your visual senses with its timeless blend of classic appeal and modern execution, but that is safe and ergonomically sound was critical to me. We have worked hard to create a motorcycle with very distinctive features such as a clean main body, an extremely low side profile, a bold stance, a unique air intake, logical partline solutions and clean graphics.”
With a long history in motorsport, including the German Touring car Championship DTM, German Rally Championship and Formula 1, Kodewa has worked recently with Lotus on the newly built Lotus T128 LMP (Le Mans Prototype) and will be running the car in the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship.
About the Holzer Group
The Holzer Group has many years of experience in professional motorsport. In the last years, Holzer successfully implemented many projects, including Moto2 (world championship winners) and Moto3, German Touring car Championship DTM, German Rally Championship and Formula 1. The Holzer Group are renowned manufacturers in the automotive and aerospace industry but also in the metalworking sector.
Daniel Simon, a former designer for Bugatti Automobiles, has recently created some of the most sophisticated concept vehicles in Hollywood film history. Amongst his most recognizable creations are the ‘Lightcycles’ in the 2010 Disney motion picture ‘Tron: Legacy’ and the ‘Bubbleship’ used by Tom Cruise in the recent Universal sci-fi hit ‘Oblivion’. Daniel Simon unique vehicle designs are published as two books, “Cosmic Motors” and “The Timeless Racer.” Lotus Motorcycles
LOTUS C-01 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Engine:
Construction
2-cylinder 4-stroke engine, 75° V-style
Capacity
1.195 cm³
Bore
105 mm
Stroke
69 mm
Power
Approx. 200 HP
Transmission
6-gear jaw-type shift transmission
Lubrication
Dry sump lubrication
Main shaft ratio
40:76
Lay shaft ratio
15:41
Cooling
Water cooling
Clutch
Hydraulic anti-hopping clutch
Chassis:
Frame
Aero tech steel/Titanium/Carbon fibre frame
Fork
Upside down
Suspension strut
Twin suspension strut
Spring travel front 80 mm
Spring travel rear 70 mm
Brake system front
Twin brake disc, ø320mm, four piston calipers
Brake system rear
One brake disc,ø220mm, two piston calipers
Chain
X-Ring resp. O-Ring
Head tube angle 59°
Fork angle 54°
Wheel base
1.645±15 mm
Ride height 90 mm
Height of seat 710 mm
Fuel tank capacity 10,5 liters
Dry weight 181 kg
Wheel front 3,00×19; 120/70 ZR19
Wheel rear 6,00×17; 190/55 ZR17
I like the John Deere one.
It is Lotus in name only just like the Mini, Rolls Royce, Bentley are British Marques captured and made by German manufacturers.
KTM powered?
“Superior Engineering with Galactic Flair”… This is Seriously Serious Café Racer scene {:-o
Very futuristic looking! There’s a trike that’s coming out with a look of the future, gets 84 mpg and is under 7K –> http://www.eliomotors.com
I guess if you have to ask what the pricing is then you can’t afford it.
@Bud – Rotax powered
Definitely a high end collector bike for rich Arab princes, disposed Dictators and retired millionaires. It’s not a comfortable Cruiser or a serious Superbike, but if you have a Confederate in your collection, you’ll certainly want to have this unique monstrosety as well. Perfect for your Sunday morning ride down to a harbor side cafe at Monaco or the Coffee Bean in Malibu to impress your friends.
75 degree twin points to the KTM motor, not Rotax (unless Rotax has made a brand new crank case recently)
The “Lotus C-01 is powered by a 200 hp, 75 degree v-twin Rotax motor similar to that used in the KTM RC8R superbike.”
I think it’s a beautiful bike.
Today’s Cafe Racer.
Bet that many custom builders are going to find inspiration in this design.
Show/riding bike.
At least, it looks like nothing else I have seen before. And the design is quite cool.
at least they found a novel way to handle the radiator……I’m very interested in the rake and trail….should go fast and stable straight eh?
definitely got my attention …and I ride and build choppers… Nice Job Lotus Team
Doesn’t look like it turns very sharp.
Looks like the speedo is VERY well protected from the wind!
Anybody find the gas cap yet?
The lotus super bikes:
After trying to figure out Erik Buell’s engine maker, I came across why I was so confused about KTM and Rotax. These engines share, to the best of my poking around on the net, the same engineer / designer by the name Claus Holweg ( spelling may be wrong ). I am just amazed that they get so much out of a v twin, just wow.
Be well
Laurence
1000cc, 10.51 litre tank, won’t be going far then!
Reminds me of a drag bike or somethin they’d run across the flatts
@Terence Troy – you quoted a statement but didn’t cite the source of the quote. Where did you read that?
here’s what I’ve come across that indicates KTM as the source…
“With a claimed dry weight under 400 pounds (lighter than some sport bikes), the C-01 features a 200 hp 1195cc v-twin, purportedly derived from KTM’s superbike.” – Motorcycle Daily
“The 1,195cc v-twin engine is a modified version of a KTM 1190 RC8R engine.” – Asphalt & Rubber
“We can see the engine is a 1195cc V-twin from KTM’s RC8R superbike with a claimed 200bhp and dry weight of 180kg.” – MCN
“It’s claimed the Lotus C-01 has a 200hp engine, which is actually a tuned version of the KTM RC8R’s 1195cc v-twin. ” – RideApart
The first leap forward in Superbike design, since.., mmmm.., the wheel..??
This reminds me of reading my grandfathers old motorcycle magazine – almost every second issue had something brand new – now it is so rare to see a bona fide fresh idea, you almost do not care about its ‘real-life’ prospects.
I honestly hold thumbs that Lotus pulls this one off – imagine seeing something similar leading the BORING same old, same old looking stuff on the WSBK…
Knees in the breeze? surely a design fault? s
Shouldn’t they be tucked behind the fairing?…. ie another fairing following the lines of the rest of it
Damn the RIDER for spoiling the airflow – duh!!
Jim Gia, why so much vitriol? Some blokes have actually spent time designing and building the thing! Rather well as it happens? PS: I agree with you regarding “Confederate” but, surely, this so called “Lotus” effort is right at the opposite end of the spectrum… Try to keep smiling though 😉
Doug,that quote about the motor being made by Rotax is from gizmag.com and it’s in many other sources,I also think this motor is much like the motor in EBR’s latest Buell.Same developer,same engineer,same motor.
Sportster Mike,That’s because it’s a bike to be seen on and hang on,not ride on.
I sometimes wonder if some of the people here say the same things about concept cars at the Auto Show…
Woody,the difference between bikes and show cars is you have to think outside of the box.And hang on.
@TT thanks again for donning your Captain Obvious suit and flying around the blog.
god those are gross
looks like a small refrigerator with wheels
where is the motor? is the motor so ugly you need to hide
it behind the refrigerator doors?
And maybe make the logo larger on the forks its hard to read
at a 1/4 mile away
they should stick to building overpriced funny looking sports cars with toyota motors
poor Indian Larry is spinning in his grave
Anyone catch the price?
The bikes look fantastic…..the stlying they have used is the best way to deal with ugly water cooled engines…they’re beautiful bikes……these are the only water cooled engine bikes I can stomach..
@Terence Troy -doesn’t the EBR have a 72-degree vtwin, not a 75-degree?
Drive The Wheels Off,yep you are right.
Wow! These bikes are something quite different from the pack. Just by simply covering the engine and other assorted items used to propel the bike down the raod under a sleek cover truly does change the way these bike looks. The front forks are also a stear away from tubluar forks found on most other bikes.
As for handling unless you have ridden one you have nothing to go off. It will be fun to find out how they handle when the Motorcyle Media gets their collective hands on one of these and takes them for a spin.
Note: Lotus cars are well know for their high speed handling, so i doubt they would build a show bike that doesn’t handle up to their typical standards.
Steve the hog,with a very long wheelbase and a 19″ front tire it might steer,but it sure won’t handle.What am I working off you may ask?:The spec sheet.
Thanks but “No Thanks” !!!!
I’ll take the one that was going to be given to Blackmax.
Looks like car guys designed a bike.
I’m not a sport bike guy, but damn those bikes are gorgeous!
Well at least it’s not as ugly as Paul Teutel Sr’s 3 wheel lawnmower/ditch witch contraption . We seemed to be stuck in the stick two wheels on anything time flux and call it a beautiful motorcycle.