Home > Other Fun Stuff > Advocacy & Industry News > News

Lotus Unveils 9.8kg e-Road Bike w/ 300g Motor

rider standing next to lotus type 136 e-road bike
8 Comments

Lotus (yes, that Lotus) has just released the lightest-ever road e-bike, the Type 136, with an ultralight HPS motor and battery system that’s just 1,200g all-in. Combined with a lightweight carbon frame, the complete bike is just 9.8kg (21.61lb). And it’ll run you about $2,600 per kilo.

lotus type 136 e-road bike

The frame’s design is a nod to the Olympic track-winning Lotus 108 that raced at the 1998 Barcelona games and the more recent Hope/Lotus collaboration for Sir Chris Hoy. Which means it’s more than light, it’s also aerodynamic.

handlebar detail on lotus type 136 e-road bike

The Type 136 was designed by Lotus designer and aerodynamicist Richard Hill, getting the same V-shaped handlebars, wing-shaped fork, and vaulted chainstays as the track latest track bikes. No split seatpost though, but this one does get an integrated tail light flowing out of the saddle clamp area.

battery detail on lotus type 136 e-road bike

The HPS (High Performance Systems) Watt Assist Pro motor is minuscule, borrowing tech designed for the Mars rover. As such, it’s light (just 300g) and compact, fitting in a standard-looking bottom bracket shell. It only puts out 136 watts, so it’s truly there to assist not dominate.

Lotus suggests it doesn’t create much if any drag when it’s not assisting, either. Which is handy, because the battery is disguised as a water bottle – just disconnect it and ride like normal. Fully charged they say it’s good for about three hours of riding.

lotus type 136 e-road bike

This launch edition bike costs £20,000 (€25,000) and is limited to 136 units, all signed and numbered. They’re painted in classic Lotus racing livery and spec’d with Campagnolo Super Record Wireless. A standard edition will follow in early 2024 with bikes from £15,199 to £16,999 (€17,950 to €19,950) with SRAM drivetrains.

LotusCars.com

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

8 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Fig Ciocc
Fig Ciocc
11 months ago

Plenty of motorized bikes that are significantly less expensive and have a top speed >170mph.

Rob
Rob
11 months ago

Pretty cool. So this is what like 37 watts of assist?

Dinger
Dinger
11 months ago
Reply to  Rob

“It only puts out 136 watts”

Rob
Rob
11 months ago
Reply to  Dinger

Not stated by Lotus only assumed by BR. “WATT ASSIST Pro motor weighs just 300 grams but packs a powerful 125 Watts per kilogram”

Oliver
Oliver
11 months ago

Be nice if they made a mass produced road version (rather than e-road) at a more affordable cost. I guess that comes after the ‘standard’ e-bikes.

Marcel
Marcel
11 months ago

My eyes hurt

Yurp
Yurp
11 months ago

MAXMAMIL

Roger Pedacter
Roger Pedacter
11 months ago

It’s hideous, and I kind of love it. Can’t think of a single reason to buy it, and 25,000 reasons not to.

But the track bike it’s based off of was amazing.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.