It’s going to cost a pretty penny to own a Lotus Type 136 e-bike
Revealed this week, the Lotus Type 136 e-bike was tagged with a whopping $25,000. As wild as that is, there must be some practical reason for that price besides the Lotus badge. Let’s take a closer look.
The Hope HB.T track cycle, which the Great Britain cycling squad used to prepare for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and which was also created in collaboration with Lotus, is said to have served as inspiration for the frame of the Lotus Type 136 e-bike. The Type 136 has a unique integrated cockpit design, curved lines, and an incredibly sleek and streamlined appearance. Not only is the design clearly lightweight in terms of appearance, but the build itself is as well.
With its HPS Watt Assist Pro motor, which weighs just 2.6 pounds, the Lotus Type 136 is believed to have the lightest system in the world in terms of performance. As per HPS, the system offers riders a maximum of 35 percent edge during ascents, while maintaining the pedal feel and balance of a non-electric bicycle. A non-trained eye could easily miss the motor because it is nicely tucked away inside the bottom bracket shell. Regarding the battery, it is a small, 193-watt-hour device that weighs only 300 grams and has a bottle-like appearance.
Along with the state-of-the-art motor, the HPS system has ANT+ connectivity, which lets users pair it with other bike computers so that the aid mode may be shown. Additionally, the settings may be adjusted to modify pedal assist based on your heart rate, enabling you to spend more time in particular training zones.
First-rate parts like the DT Swiss ARC 1100 wheels and Sram Red eTap AXS groupset are also featured. The bike’s tires, Pirelli P Zero Race TLRs, are similarly optimized for racing. Lotus claims the ultra-lightweight carbon frame is entirely handmade in Italy. The total build weighs only 21 pounds, making it one of the lightest electric road bikes on the market.
Only 136 units of the Lotus Type 136 e-Bike will be built for its initial release. The standard model will go on sale in the spring of 2024.
