Sometimes it takes someone outside the industry to come up with something entirely new. When I first saw the Lotus C-01, the design made me think of a cruiser, but it is anything but.
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. Despite the long, low look and huge rear tire, the C-01 achieves an incredibly low weight in part from a chassis design that includes a combination of steel, titanium, and carbon fiber. Suspension is an unusual strut design with 80 mm of travel in front and 70 mm in back.
The designer of the C-01 is Daniel Simon, formerly with Bugatti Automobiles. The C-01 is limited to a production of 100 units. Here are the specs provided for the Lotus C-01, together with the press release from Kodewa Performance Motorcycles:
Following two years of careful planning and intense development, Kodewa is delighted to announce that the prototype of the world’s first motorcycle to bear the legendary Lotus marque is now road registered and ready for action.
Kodewa has been granted a license to produce the motorcycle by Group Lotus plc, the world renowned sportscar manufacturer and engineering consultancy.
The C-01 combines ample power via a V-twin engine with a distinctive body designed by Daniel Simon integrating carbon fibre, titanium and aerospace quality steel.
The 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, 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 design guru Daniel Simon. Drawing on their wealth of motorsport experience, the team of engineers has designed a unique high performance superbike.
The C-01 will be available in a range of liveries some of which pay homage to Lotus’ sporting pedigree. A customisation service is also available, limited only by the imagination of the client. With an exclusive production run of just 100 units, superbike collectors and fans of the Lotus brand will need to move fast 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 C-01 was a labour 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.”
LOTUS C-01 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
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
Ignition: Full electronic engine management with digital adjustment of the ignition
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 L
Dry weight: 181 kg
Wheel front: 3,00×19; 120/70 ZR19
Wheel rear: 6,00×17; 190/55 ZR17
About Kodewa
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. The team of Kodewa comprises of experts with a lot of knowledge and experience not only in endurance racing but also Formula 1, DTM and lower formulas.
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 the metalworking sector.
About Daniel Simon
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 is known for his clean and futuristic concepts, his unique vehicle designs are published as two books, Cosmic Motors and The Timeless Racer.
It looks like it should be an electric bike. That said, it is a pretty cool bike. Very different and very elegant. I like it.
Front end rake & trail makes a Fat Boy look sporty.
I’, going to rush right down to my local Motus/Confederate/Lotus motorcycle dealer and make a down payment.
Not sure if sarcasm or really excited about motorcycle…
I’m excited by the design and luscious paintwork, but very skeptical about the handling claims. This is for the people that keep Confederate in business, no doubt. In other words, people who have an overwhelming compulsion to draw attention to themselves.
Aerodynamics for the bike, none for rider who gets gets blown off bike at 125mph.
Fail.
I have ridden my Suzuki B-King (also a ‘naked’ bike) to an indicated 178 mph and never felt I was in any danger of being “blown off.” Save the hand wringing for the bridge club.
I always thought of Lotus cars as 4 wheeled motorcycles.
Nice to see they made one with 2 wheels. But, it will never replace Patrick McGoohans Super 7.
Yes, Colin Chapman was genius.
Butane lighter with wheels . . . . . . . . .
Ha! You’re right!
Sorta looks like one of those key fob flashlights….squeeze your knees and the light goes on! I’m so confused.
So… it’s not a cruiser because the foot pegs are crazy high and way too far to the rear. It’s not a drag racer because if you tried to accelerate too fast you’d slide off that tiny seat. And it’s not a sportbike because the sides are so smooth and featureless, you’d slide right off if you tried to hang off of it in the first turn. So what exactly is this bike for? Just looking at it?
art
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.”
I think this is very much form over function. Steering lock is just impossible with that bikini fairing. Wheelbase is ponderously long and fork rake too inclined for serious handling. Nice as a piece of art and a pose bike maybe.
I don’t see an engine. I think it’s an electric bike. That fairing must be a battery cover. I like it but why hide a mighty v twin? First thing I thought of was battery covers.
Well, it has a fuel tank… I would like to know how they solved the heat issues that many modern bikes have. Enclosing the engine package doesn’t help with that…
No thank you.
Motorcycle or Art Bike? I say Art bike because I can’t even see the motor and I don’t think it would be a very good “bike” to actually ride. While I support anybody’s right to build what ever they want and express their artistic side, in general, I just have no use for Art Bikes.
Thinking “out of the box”, and right back into one. And BTW, what’s to keep chain lube from slinging everywhere? Or does a maintenance / bike prep technician come with it at no extra cost?
That’s sexy. Sleak lines harkening back to ultra-sports cars of the not too distant past, with an undeniable lean towards the future. Very nice.
…except, we’re talking about a 2-wheeled vehicle, not a car
Looks like a bad interpretation of the bike from the movie tron.
“About Daniel Simon
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’.”
It was designed by the same guy.
… and that’s the problem. None of his 2-wheel designs, creative and interesting to look at as they were, were intended for actual real world use.
“Suspension is an unusual strut design with 80 mm of travel in front and 70 mm in back.”
Looks like a fork and shocks to me.
Worthless as teats on a boar hog.
Sinks without a trace.
I can hear Billy Bob say with a piece of straw sticking out of his mouth.. “what the hell is that”?
This Daniel Simon character must have an ego the size of Mt. Everest.
Holy complainers! It wasn’t built to be practical, it was a design exercise and a neat one at that.
I’m with you, brother. I read the other comments here and feel like I’m in some kind of time warp–it’s 1922 and I’m standing around with a bunch of guys looking at a gorgeous modern Model T, when some weird looking 2014 Vette passes by. “Well, garsh-o-mighty, that doan look like no damned car to me!”
I realize that all analogies eventually fail. Your analogy fails where this subject Lotus functionality ends and the 2014 Corvette functionality begins.
If this Lotus can actually be ridden, many posters here would like to see video proving such. So far, apparently, all we have are computer graphics and no proof the bike exists in the physical world. Most readers know well the functionality of a 2014 Corvette.
I prefer this mc site above all others. I also tire of this website distributing pure marketing tripe masquerading as news about real motorcycles, into which category this appears to fall.
good God…give us a break
Wow! Now that’s a comprehensive critique right there!
/sarc off
PS: Are you a Lotus share holder, butt-hurt from the abundant and well-deserved criticism for this worthless POS so-called “motorcycle?”
I kept it short in the hope that you might be able to comprehend it.
+1! It’s a one-off, not a production machine. 100 made, for the uber wealthy. And the front of that fairing makes me think of a Lotus Se7en’s snout: how cool is that? lol
No kidding Mike. I read the comments on this site and every bike that comes out is immediately crucified becasue its too heavy, too beaked, too not-a-harley, too-unworthy to compete for titles in motoGP, too-not-dirt-worthy-enough, too-fancy, too-ugly, too-expensive, too not-for-real bikers, something only wanna-be posers would try to ride but can’t. For crying out loud.
+1 Not sure why most of these people care what NEW bikes are being built. Most just want a 70’s replica. Maybe a classic motorcycle site would bring them more enjoyment.
Glad I’m not the only one that can appreciate interesting design work for what it is!
The design is fascinating. They used so many aerospace design motifs it is hard to believe it is a motorcycle. The only spoiler: Arlen Ness-like wheels. I think they were going for turbine blades there…
A little early for an April Fool’s joke, don’t you think?
Yep, I’m going full bogus on this one. The picture of the green one makes the plastic model look about 12 inches long and if there is 3″ of travel in the swing arm, how does it not hit the fairing.
Very nice paint job on these models though
I didn’t see an MSRP 🙂
If you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it.lol
the people behind this project really need to scrap everything, go ride some motorcycles, and try again.
1. Is that a sidestand down there? If not, how do they propose to park the thing? 2. The black and gold one sorta looks like a box of cigarettes. 3. Apparently their test rider was an orangutan. 4. The ultra-rich are a funny lot.
“The black and gold one sorta looks like a box of cigarettes”
hahaha 🙂
You mean the dark BRG & gold 1? That’s my favorite of the bunch as far as color.
Of course it does – it is meant to recall the F1 John Player Special Lotus livery. You have to be a certain age to get it I guess.
The seat looks especially comfortable for long stints in the saddle. Also, wondering why they didn’t lower the bars a little bit, tilting the balance more toward style than function.
/sarc off 3
If they were to raise the bike with longer rear shocks, then extend the head stock forward reduce the rake to 26° or less and flatten out the top frame rail imho they would have a winner.
For a minute there I forgot the brand name…
/sarc off
That’s what they call a “sexy” bike! Not sure if she can cook or clean but she’s a looker!
And FAST. Don’t forget FAST. She looks hot, and everyone just knows the hot lookers just gotta be fast….don’t they? 😉
The rear suspension travel is the same amount as the stroke of the piston? Come on. This whole bike is ridiculous. I’m all about innovation and pushing the technology forward, but this certainly IS NOT a superbike.
Also – I hope everyone realizes these images are RENDERS. These are not photos. I do this for a living and these are all renders. I’d prefer to see a real photo to prove the bike actually exists as something more than a 3D model…
What? 1.5 degrees of steering lock not enough? What kind’a spoiled brat are you, ANYWAY?
/sarc off 2
Thank you for pointing out that these are renders. I suspected that to be the case. Makes the whole thing even sillier.
Looks very disproportionate. Tiny seat, tiny “gas tank” area tiny head stock, HUGE engine fairing. Its obviously not a model aimed at performance (huge rake, dual shocks), and to me it isn’t aesthetically pleasing.
Really surprising that it is so disproportionate and bulky looking. Lotus is know for making minimalist sports cars which ARE aesthetically pleasing!
Why are dual shocks a sign that it is not aimed at performance? You can get plenty of performance on the street with dual shocks when the design dictates they be used….Ducati Sport Classic in the right hands will do quite well on the street & even the track day.
Mono shock construction came about when swing arm stiffness was achieved. Reduced part count, reduced weight & geometry options were among the benefits, but that doesn’t discount dual shocks completely.
Ill take the John Deere one. Great looking bike.
Glug glug glug….
I was thinking more along the lines of Green Bay Packers…go pack go!
Art.
Good direction for electric bikes…
Stick with cages Lotus.
Not made by Lotus. The Lotus name was simply licensed and unfortunately vomited onto this monstrosity.
His comment doesn’t suggest Lotus made it. Your comment doesn’t exonerate Lotus for their involvement.
It’s another example of outside involvement can be good or bad depending on how it is marketed. “Super bike” is going down the wrong road for credibility & it’s arguable that Lotus deserves criticism for it.
from their press release:
“…the team of engineers has designed a unique high performance superbike.” There are guys in small shops that can build a Harley-based pro-street style bike that will rival this bike’s performance. We’re not talking about super bike capability or a 2 wheeled representation of Lotus’ racetrack history. This concept is nothing more than a different look at going fast in a straight line with high tech weight savings.
In the end, was that high tech material cost put to the use that justifies it or is it just for b.s.-ing?
Might make a good overpriced I’m sure drag bike. Otherwise, ho hum, no interest.
What an ugly bike, and probably way to expensve for us mortals…
This looks like it was designed by a car guy with little to no riding experience. That is a lot of nice pretty parts to end up with something so wrong.
cool motor, wheels, & nose fairing. I guess handling is relative to the style over substance reference
it looks like you’d have to bring it to an airport in order to turn the thing around…Lotus, you had one job….
No doubt, and they did their job. They took the money from the people who wanted to license their name. Unfortunately in retrospect their probably wishing they hadn’t.
yoyodyne…so easy being a buzz killer…only thing that excites you is yourself in the mirror. Kudos to LOTUS!!!
Get back under the bridge, troll.
PS
Love the Green
Yeah, the green paint and gold striping is the only thing I like about this abortion.
Does it come with the Pit Stand ?, I hope so cuz I would imagine you will not see many if any on the road ever. Complete collector/show item aimed at a few well healed clients. Looks beautiful but way to much rake to be a serious homage to Lotus and their racing pedigree.
10.5 liter gas tank, that’s one way to get the wet weight down. Yawn…