Lotus C-01 Motorcycle Revealed

After remaining mostly quiet since releasing an initial teaser last June, auto racing team Kodewa has revealed its Lotus C-01 motorcycle. Officially licensed to use the Lotus automaker’s brand, the C-01 is a carbon-clad V-Twin boasting approximately 200 hp.

Before we get much further, let’s clear up some possible misconceptions. Beyond the name, Group Lotus plc., which produces the exotic sport cars renowned for their focus on light weight engineering, is not involved in the Lotus C-01 at all. Kodewa has a history with Lotus, producing the company’s Le Mans Prototype racer, but the C-01 is engineered designed and produced by Kodewa, designer Daniel Simon and the Holzer Group (which co-owns Kalex, producer of the top four-finishing Moto2 chassis last year.)

The C-01 has a monocoque chassis comprised of carbon fiber, titanium and aircraft-grade steel. The body is wrapped in a carbon fairing with openings for the air intake, crankcase cover and an exhaust outlet.

Beneath the C-01′s carbon fiber sausage casing is a 1195cc 75-degree V-Twin engine with a bore of 105 mm and stroke of 69mm. Those are the exact same specs as the engine powering KTM‘s RC8, so it’s likely the Austrian manufacturer provides the C-01′s powerplant. Kodewa has re-tuned the engine, claiming almost 200 hp (torque figures however are not available.) Kodewa claims a dry weight of 399 pounds.

Suspension is comprised of an upside-down fork with 80mm of travel and twin rear shocks with 70mm of give. The fork is angled 59°, creating a long 64.8-inch wheelbase that would surely impact handling. Brakes are comprised of four-piston calipers with twin 320mm discs up front and a two-piston caliper with a 220mm disc at the rear.

“We set out to create a bike that isn’t just great to ride but also represents a piece of art in motion,” says Kodewa’s Dr. Colin Kolles who initiated the project. “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.”

Kodewa will produce 100 units of the C-01, offering a range of paint schemes, some of which pay tribute to Lotus’ racing history.

“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,” says Simon, a former Bugatti designer who also created the Lightcycles from 2010′s “Tron” film. “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.”

[Source: Lotus Motorcycles]

By Dennis Chung