c-01: lotus to build first motorcycle

Guest Blogger Happy GilmoreLotus is well-known as an exotic automotive company originating out of the UK, but announced a few weeks ago that it will be launching Lotus Motorcycles and will be designing its first motorcycle, the C-01. Although this seems like a very unusual route for the rare car builders, it makes sense as their cars are legendary in their small design and precision handling, rather than astronomical power figures like many other supercar companies. In fact the first Lotus factory was in an old stable in North London, so motorcycle construction seems to date back to their earliest roots.

Lotus Motorcycles is said to be a combined operation comprising of Lotus, the German auto racing team Kodewa, and German Holzer Gruppe, who produce F1 chassis. Another division of Holzer Gruppe designs and manufactures Moto2 and Moto3 GP chassis – so we can’t wait to sample the C-01. Daniel Simon, auto designer formerly with Bugatti, is tasked with the bike’s design, and it won’t be his first kick at two wheels as we was the designer behind the Tron Legacy Lightcycle.

Daniel is quoted as saying “With the Lotus C-01, we have only one ambition: to create a unique state-of-the-art machine that carries its brutal forces with elegance and style, a high-tech monster in a tailored suit.”

The finest materials such as titanium and carbon fibre are said to be scattered all over the C-01, and the motorcycle will make haste with it’s claimed 200hp mill.

Images have yet to be released but we’ve found them on Facebook here.

– Happy Gilmore

Editor’s note:  Lotus stated on Facebook that the C-01 “will reflect a combination of lifestyle, design and high end technology.” We’re not sure who’s lifestyle they’re talking about, but it probably isn’t the 99%. Stay tuned for more.