2104 Lotus C-01

Finally! Lotus has revealed its first attempt at a production motorcycle. There have been no leaks or previews except for a teaser last year. Sure it is a little late but it does appear to be worth the effort. Unfortunately Lotus says that on 100 will be made and can be road registered hence a ‘production’ motorcycle. Personally I don’t classify a 100 make series a production motorcycle.

In terms of design the new 2014 Lotus C-01 is a motorcycle unlike any existing mass production motorcycle. The Lotus C-01’s  design is retro modern in the vein of cars like the VW Beetle, Toyota FJ Cruiser and the Mini. So its a modern interpretation of a motorcycle and a sports one at that. (Note that the design is not as  adventurous as the Honda DN-01.) It also looks to the future or rather the past in that it could be described as a real world TRON light cycle although that impressed the world in the 1980’s! You could say it looks like the also recently revealed Voxan Wattman claimed to be the world’s most powerful electric motorcycle. But lets face it the design of the Lotus C-01 is nicer and clearly more time spent with the design to make virtually every angle just about perfect. Since only 100 will be made and at a price to be announced – means a RRP that normal folk will be unlikely to afford.

 The Lotus C-01 specifications are below:

 ENGINE

Construction: 2-cylinder 4-stroke engine, 75° V
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 ang: 59°
Fork ang: 54°
Wheel base: 1.645±15 mm
Ride height: 90 mm
Height of seat: 710 mm
Fuel tank capacity: 10.5 Litres
Dry weight: 181 kg
Wheel front: 3.00×19; 120-70ZR19
Wheel rear: 6.00×19; 190-55ZR17