What if Lotus built a motorcycle?
We now know the answer to that once hypothetical question.
Last year, British sports car manufacturer Lotus hinted that they would soon be introducing a motorcycle to their line-up. That summer they released no more than this teaser pic of a fuel tank. It was made clear then the lines would be penned by Daniel Simon, Volkswagen design engineer and creator of the Tron movie light cycle, but little else was revealed at that time:
This month, Lotus announced their new foray into the superbike market was ready for release to the public. There will be only these three models available, and factory customization is offered for those who desire what they so quaintly refer to as a more unique look:
The design, engineered and built in Germany by racecar manufacturer Koweda, may not be for everyone, but since they're only building 100 examples at $150 Large per unit, the majority opinion is probably moot:
This move by Lotus raises some questions though, "why?" being the foremost in my mind. Considering the money spent on design, and the limited use of dies and molds spread out over such a limited production run, Lotus will probably make little or no money on these sleek machines:
There are two possibilities as I see it, and both may be true. One is if they want to build a performance statement, an instant collectible like the new Ford GT in order to promote their brand. That's a big investment just to announce to the world that they're still around, but TVR and Ferrari do it all the time:
Another reason, and one I think more likely, is Lotus is going racing, an image they built their company around decades ago. Though Lotus promises to make only 100 of these superbikes, that doesn't mean they intend to release that many to the public. This could be the first factory works cafe racer in the company's history, with a required number going to the public to make it eligible as a production bike.
Much like the Shelby Cobra back in the '60s, some well heeled owners will buy one of the race ready machines and squirrel it away as an investment, but the rest might hit the circuits this spring seeking victory under the black & gold banner of a company with a genetic thirst for competition.
I notice there seems to be no highway running gear, like headlights and turn signals on the promo bikes. Maybe those items are on the "custom option" list... like those little training wheels (LOL):
200HP on a bike that weighs less than 400 pounds is indeed destined for the winner's circle:
LOTUS C-01 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Lotus will offer three different liveries for the C-01 in addition to a customization service for buyers that want a more unique look.
Engine: 2-cylinder 4-stroke engine, 75° V-style
Capacity: 1195cc
Bore x Stroke: 105 x 69mm
Power: Approx. 200 HP
Transmission: 6-gear jaw-type shift transmission
Lubrication: Dry sump lubrication
Main shaft ratio: 40
6
Lay shaft ratio: 15:41
Cooling: Water cooling
Clutch: Hydraulic anti-hopping clutch
Frame: Aero tech steel/Titanium/Carbon fiber frame
Fork: Upside down
Suspension strut: Twin suspension strut
Spring travel front: 3.15 inches
Spring travel rear: 2.75 inches
Brake system front: Twin brake disc, 320mm, four piston calipers
Brake system rear: Single disc, 220mm, two piston calipers
Chain: X-Ring resp. O-Ring
Head tube angle: 59-degrees
Fork angle: 54-degrees
Wheel base: 64.7 inches
Ride height: 3.54 inches
Seat height: 27.95 inches
Fuel tank capacity: 2.77 gallons
Dry weight: 399 pounds
Wheel front: 120/70 ZR19
Wheel rear: 190/55 ZR17
Back in the '60s when Ford created the GT40 and the Shelby Cobra, they had to build a few for the public. The price for either car was astronomical, and very few were sold outside the racing community. Expensive as it seemed at the time, no one ever lost a dime on their initial outlay.
= new reply since forum marked as read
I didn't include a link in my post because I wrote that short essay myself, and I was insulted that the very first reply completely missed the point I so carefully made that these aren't street bikes designed for 25 year old banzai warriors looking to trade in their Ninjas just so they can carry the front wheel down Sunset Boulevard.
Though I found no admission online that Lotus was entering the superbike racing program, the bike's design speaks for itself. As I see it, that $150k is the admission cost for Lotus' fledgling endeavor into the highly competitive British Superbike class. Triumph should be concerned about their as yet uncontested domination on the euro road courses. I'm still not sure why Lotus is doing it, unless they intend to introduce a mass produced street tuned version somewhere down the road.
It's obvious that I'm not in the market for one of these hand crafted purpose built machines, but such machines fascinate me greatly. The most likely customer will be well heeled racing teams looking to garner sponsorship on the latest contender... one that I predict could be quite successful. Some will undoubtedly be retained by the company as works racers with hired guns in the saddle, and a few may go to investors gambling that first, second, and third sweeps in the winner's circle will return a profit in a couple decades on a pristine un-raced example, but I predict the greatest majority will lead a hard working life on the track.
At my advanced vintage, I no longer ride, but my '76 Sportster still sits in the basement awaiting resurrection in the event senility overcomes sensibility someday. I refuse to ride a two wheeled rocking chair that I see as modern 'baggers, and I'm a bit old to be comfortable anymore on my old cobra seat that was basically vinyl covered cardboard. Even my sons, one who rides a Ducati and the other a Buel, would find it good only for short runs (¼ mile?).
I haven't quite rolled over and died yet though, and have spent the last 30 years on my other automotive interest... classic British sports cars. My latest, and probably my last, is my '71 Triumph TR6. I bought it a few years before I retired in '03 and have spent the years since tirelessly tweaking and improving the original restoration. The engine is currently on an engine stand in the basement (next to the Sportster) undergoing a complete rebuild and performance upgrade. I had the car exterior repainted a few years ago, but now I've had the engine bay restored as well and the car is safely stored pending it's new power plant.
For that reason, I take great fascination in your Jensen Healey. I've seen them at car shows, but as you know, they are, and have always been, a rare sight anywhere. I never cared for the lines of the Interceptor, seeing it as a bit clunky for such a cool name, but the artful co-op with the Healey design department produced what I consider the final word on Jensen style and performance. The Lotus mill is just frosting on a beautiful design. I'm glad to hear you own one, and you must be rightly proud of it
Not to return to the absurd sexual reference too many non-enthusiasts place on high performance cars, but "I'll show you mine if I can see yours":
I think I may stop posting in the auto and bike groups however. As you probably already know, there is little interest in those two groups here in DU, where anything with more stylish lines than a moped or Prius is considered by some as needless excess for insecure males. I don't know why these critics visit the forum to begin with, but it's sad because I'd like to keep these groups alive for the few performance enthusiasts that still reside in DU, but I feel discouraged by the outright hostility wrought upon those who dare express an interest in something that doesn't simply get one from point A to point B at 50mpg.
