March 2014

Lotus Motorcycle C-01
Adding lightness has never been easier!
Article By Steven R. Rochlin

  Virtually everyone knows of the car manufacturer Lotus, whether it is their tiny-tot Elise or Formula 1 team, yet after two years of careful planning and intense development they have finally announced 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, 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 fiber, titanium and aerospace quality steel.

The C-01 motorcycle is not designed, engineered or produced by Group Lotus, 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 them will indeed pay homage to Lotus' sporting pedigree. A customization 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."

"The design process of the C-01 was a labor of love," said designer Daniel Simon. "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."

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 
Clutch: Hydraulic anti-hopping clutch 
Ignition: Full electronic engine management with digital adjustment of the ignition

Chassis
Frame: Aero tech steel/Titanium/Carbon fiber 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 Angle: 59° 
Fork Angle: 54° 
Ride Height: 90 mm 
Height Of Seat: 710 mm 
Fuel Tank Capacity: 10.5 l 
Dry Weight: 181 kg 
Wheel Front: 3.00x19; 120/70 ZR19 
Wheel Rear: 6.00x17; 190/55 ZR17

www.Lotus-Motorcycles.com