The Lotus E-R9: next-generation EV endurance racer showcases innovation in powertrains and aerodynamics
* Design study reveals electric race car for 2030
* E-R9 is "partly driven like a car and partly flown like a fighter jet" - Richard Hill, chief aerodynamicist, Lotus
* Active aero package includes 'morphing' body panels and aerodynamic control surfaces
* EV powertrain with torque-vectoring from Lotus Evija further developed to be driver-adaptable on the move
* Name, year and colour scheme all carefully chosen in tribute to Lotus' racing heritage
* Find out more about the exciting future of Lotus Engineering on the US LOT Blog
(Hethel, UK - 16 February 2021) - Lotus has unveiled the E-R9, a dramatic new design study for a next-generation pure electric endurance racer that could be on the starting grid of circuits around the world for the 2030 season.
Finished in striking black and gold - a clear nod to Lotus' pioneering motorsport heritage that led to 13 Formula 1 championship titles - the EV features a sleek fighter jet-style canopy centrally mounted in a delta-wing upper body. Innovations include advanced active aerodynamics with 'morphing' body panels and vertically mounted control surfaces to assist with high-speed cornering.
The E-R9 has been developed by Lotus Engineering, the globally renowned consultancy division of the business which delivers projects for external clients. The car has been created as a technology showcase of its philosophy, capability and innovative spirit in the fields of advanced electrified powertrains and aerodynamics.
E-R stands for Endurance Racer, while 9 is the car's competition number carefully chosen in tribute to Lotus' racing past. It was in a Lotus Mark IX that the race team made its debut appearance at the Le Mans 24 Hours, with company founder Colin Chapman among the drivers competing. The year was 1955, meaning the E-R9 race car concept - if raced in 2030 - would be in celebration of the Mark IX's 75th anniversary.
The E-R9 was developed by the engineering team of Richard Hill, chief aerodynamicist at Lotus, and Louis Kerr, principal platform engineer on the Lotus Evija pure electric hypercar as well as technical director, GT, Geely Group Motorsports International. Visually it was brought to life by the Lotus Design team, led by Russell Carr, Design Director for Lotus.
Richard Hill commented: "What we've tried to do is to push the boundaries of where we are technically today and extrapolate into the future. The Lotus E-R9 incorporates technologies which we fully expect to develop and be practical. Lotus has an amazing history of developing unique solutions, and we've done it many times in motorsport and with our road cars."
Chief among the car's aero innovations are its 'morphing' body panels. Located across the delta-wing profile, this adaptability - where active surfaces can change their shape and attitude to the air flow either at the press of a button by the driver or automatically according to performance sensor inputs - would deliver minimum drag on the straights and maximum downforce in the corners. Vertical control surfaces at the rear would generate aerodynamic forces to help the car change direction, without the limitations of grip at the tyre contact patch. The result is a racer that's partly driven like a car and partly flown like a fighter jet.
The Lotus E-R9 features an advanced electric drivetrain powering each wheel independently, a system enhanced with torque-vectoring. It builds on technology already integrated on the Lotus Evija pure electric hypercar, though for the E-R9 would be fully adjustable by the driver on the move.
Louis Kerr commented: "Battery energy density and power density are developing significantly year on year. Before 2030, we'll have mixed cell chemistry batteries that give the best of both worlds, as well as the ability to 'hot-swap' batteries during pitstops."
Further details and more images of the Lotus E-R9 can be found in the March issue of evo magazine. On sale from today, it includes a 32-page supplement dedicated to the past, present and exciting future stories of the Lotus Engineering consultancy.
From the pioneering work of Colin Chapman in the early 1950s, via countless projects which the team has worked on in the decades since - some never revealed before - it's a fascinating glimpse into a business which has done more than most to shape the automotive industry today.
For more on the exciting future of Lotus Engineering, read this post on the US LOT Blog by Dan Burge, Commercial Director of the business.
Ends
Notes to Editors
For more information please contact the Lotus Communications team:
James Andrew, Executive Director, PR and Communications
[email protected]+44 (0) 7384 830903
Rob Borrett, Manager, PR Content and Launch Programmes
[email protected]+44 (0) 7718 560789
Alastair Florance, Group PR Manager
[email protected]+44 (0) 7802 918662
Samantha Thomas, PR Officer, Product Press & Digital Media
[email protected]+44 (0) 7909 813785
Richard Yarrow, PR Manager, News and Technology
[email protected]+44 (0) 7471 994525
The Lotus media site - https://media.lotuscars.com - contains news, images, specifications and full details of current models, as well as heritage cars and engineering technology.
For the latest news and information from the Lotus PR Team please follow:
https://twitter.com/LotusCarsPR
https://www.instagram.com/LotusCarsPR
For Lotus Cars social media please follow:
https://www.facebook.com/LotusCars
https://twitter.com/lotuscars
https://www.instagram.com/lotuscars/
https://www.youtube.com/grouplotus
https://www.linkedin.com/company/group-lotus
About Lotus
Group Lotus is based in Hethel, Norfolk, UK. It is part of Geely Automotive, the fastest growing automotive group in the world. Geely has a 51% controlling stake, with 49% owned by Etika Automotive, a Malaysian conglomerate.
Lotus Cars builds world-class, high-performance sports cars including the Evora, Elise and Exige ranges. In July 2019 it launched the Evija, the world's first all-electric British hypercar. Production will start in 2021.
Lotus Engineering provides a comprehensive consultancy service which works with many of the world's OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. It is internationally recognised for its long-standing contribution to ground-breaking automotive engineering and vehicle development.