Lotus C-01 sportsbike

In June last year we first brought you details of the impending arrival of the Lotus C-01 sportsbike, and warned that it wouldn’t be a shrinking violet from a badge that has so much glamour in the sportscar ranks.

Well, it appears we were right, as after two years of planning and development, Kodewa -- the German-based motorsport team licensed to produce the machine by the British auto icon -- has announced a prototype of the limited-edition sportsbike has been road registered. Just 100 are destined to be manufactured, with customisation options available. And only those with plenty of the folding stuff should worry about a price tag.

The original idea to create the C-01 came from Kodewa’s Dr Colin Kolles. 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 specifications are impressive, with the C-01 boasting a 1195cc, 75-degree Rotax V-twin with rev-inducing bore and stroke dimensions of 105mm x 69mm, and with a claimed power peak of 200hp.

The frame and bodywork is an amalgam of aero steel, titanium and carbon-fibre, and the claimed dry weight is 181kg – just a whisker off the sharpest sportsbikes such as the Ducati 1199 Panigale.

Construction of the actual machine was completed b y the Holzer Group, the engineering firm which has previous experience in designing motorcycles, particularly in the Moto2 ranks.

“I was one of the first people to ride it and I have to say I was very impressed,” said Günther Holzer, the CEO of Holzer Group. “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.”

The styling is by Daniel Simon, who is a former designer for Bugatti Automobiles, as well as creating some concept vehicles for Hollywood. The German is also responsible for the black and gold livery of the Lotus LMP2 sports cars, and unsurprisingly that will be one of the three liveries offered on the C-01.

The Lotus heritage doesn’t escape the C-01, and here’s what Simon says: “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.”

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