Lotus presents the Theory 1 Concept, an Esprit successor with a foggy future

The Lotus Theory 1 is an all-electric supercar concept powered by dual motors mounted one per axle, but it looks a fair bit too innovative for the market of today.

An all-carbon body allows the car to have a low curb weight of 1,600 kilos, or 3,527 lbs. With 1,000 PS (986 hp / 735 kW) heading for the wheels, the manufacturer claims a car like this can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) from standstill in 2.5 seconds. It is also rated for a top speed of 320 km/h, or 199 mph.

The battery pack looks fairly small by modern standards at just 70 kilowatt-hours. Lotus claims you can squeeze up to 402 km (250 miles) of range out of it, but only if you drive carefully. Special Pirelli P Zero Elect tires with reduced rolling resistance help extend the range by about 10%.

Butterfly-wing doors pop up to reveal a three-seat cabin. The driver sits in the front middle position, with the passengers occupying seats to either side of the driver’s (and slightly to the back). The trim is minimal.

One of the more intriguing features of the concept comes in the form of a “system of robotics”. It is integrated in the wheel and the main seat and can be configured to guide the driver’s actions by inflating and deflating small pods made of “adaptive textile”. The steering wheel is drive-by-wire, which means it isn’t physically connected to the wheels.

Lotus has refused to provide any specific launch dates thus far.