Lotus and Daniel Simon collaborate on C-01 hyperbike project

Lotus has announced the impending launch of its first motorcycle, the C-01, penned by automotive designer and futurist Daniel Simon.

The C-01, previewed on the left, will be a hyperbike with integrated racing technology made from materials such as carbon, titanium and aerospace quality steel, and will be powered by a 200hp engine. It is designed to reflect a combination of lifestyle, design and high-end technology.

Simon explains, "With the Lotus C-01, we have only one ambition: to create a unique state-of-the-art machine that carries its brutal forces with elegance and style, a high-tech monster in a tailored suit.

"The shapes of the marvelous Lotus 49 were a main inspiration, and all color schemes pay homage to iconic Lotus racing liveries, such as the dashing black and gold. The intersection of past and future never fails to fascinate, and so does the unique idea of the C-01."

Former Bugatti and Volkswagen designer Simon has developed a number of iconic movie concept vehicles such as the Lightcycle in Tron: Legacy and the 10-wheeler 1942 supercharged V16 Coupe belonging to the Red Skull in Marvel's Captain America.

We can expect to see the first images of the C-01 within the next few weeks.

By Rufus Thompson