The wind of innovation is blowing at Lotus. The brand comes with successors to the now almost archaic Elise, Exige and Evora, but there is more. The small sports car manufacturer is showing a very futuristic-looking design study in the form of the E-R9.
Lotus shows a set of digital drawings of the E-R9, an electric long-distance racer such as Lotus envisions for the year 2030. In any case, the gold-black colossus looks extremely futuristic. With a bit of imagination, the digital crack nose even resembles a jet fighter equipped with wheels on the corners by Lotus.
The E-R9 is in fact seen as a showcase for the technical knowledge and skills of Lotus Engineering. You don’t have to expect a production version of the E-R9. Lotus does not release technical specifications for the E-R9 equipped with four electric motors. The brand does indicate that the E-R9 has active aerodynamics, but not in the way you might think. Purely on paper, the E-R9 has ‘active surfaces’ that can change shape at the touch of a button. McLaren already applies something similar to the rear spoiler of its impressive Speedtail. The battery pack of the E-R9 should be able to be exchanged with a full one in no time when it is empty.
The letters ‘E’ and ‘R’ in the name of the futuristic rip nose stand for Endurance Racer, the number 9 is a reference to the Lotus Mark iX that debuted at the wheel in 1955 with none other than Lotus founder Colin Chapman. 24 Hours of Le Mans.