Skip advert
Advertisement

Lotus E-R9 EV endurance racer previews future engineering tech

The Lotus E-R9 EV concept gives a window into the future of electric powertrains and aerodynamics for the British brand’s racers

Lotus is a motorsport innovator, and with this E-R9 EV endurance racer concept it’s giving us a preview to the kind of tech we could see lining up on race grids by 2030.

Developed by Lotus Engineering, it’s a technology showcase of the company’s “philosophy, capability and innovative spirit in the fields of advanced electrified powertrains and aerodynamics.”

As a result, the Lotus E-R9 features four electric motors – one per wheel – with torque vectoring to improve the car’s dynamic ability, building on technology already integrated on the brand’s Evija hypercar. Lotus says that for the E-R9, the tech would be fully adjustable on the move.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Another significant innovation for the vehicle is its aerodynamics. The E-R9 uses ‘morphing’ body panels that are located across the car’s delta wing profile. These surfaces are active and can change their shape at the touch of a driver-activated button to adjust the level of downforce and drag on offer.

The tech could offer a setting for low downforce and low drag to maximise straight-line speed, and a high-downforce mode to improve cornering potential, with the panels set to either one of two modes: driver-operated, or automatic, according to performance sensor inputs.

The active aero extends to vertical control surfaces at the rear that help the car change direction that bypass the limit of grip from the car’s tyres, which Lotus claims results in a vehicle that’s “partly driven like a car and partly flown by a fighter jet.”

Lotus has an illustrious history in motorsport, and the car’s name stems from this. E-R stands for ‘Endurance Racer’ while the 9 is a reference to the Lotus Mark IX that marked the firm’s debut at the Le Mans 24 hours in 1955.

The aim of the E-R9 project is to showcase what an endurance racer could look like at the end of the decade; if the car were to line up on the grid in 2030 it would mark the 75th anniversary of the Mark IX.

It’s also finished in black and gold, a nod to the colour scheme of famous Lotus racers from the past, while the jetfighter-style canopy is mounted centrally in the delta wing body.

Click here to read more about the 1,381bhp Lotus Evija hypercar...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Sean’s been writing about cars since 2010, having worked for outlets as diverse as PistonHeads, MSN Cars, Which? Cars, Race Tech – a specialist motorsport publication – and most recently Auto Express and sister titles Carbuyer and DrivingElectric

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

BYD Atto 3 review
BYD Atto 3 - front tracking

BYD Atto 3 review

New kid on the block BYD has hit the ground running with its all-electric family SUV, combining quirky design with a comfortable ride in the Atto 3
In-depth reviews
23 Jan 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the biggest and most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
1 Jan 2025
What is MaaS? Mobility as a Service and the future of car use
Mobilize Duo - front static

What is MaaS? Mobility as a Service and the future of car use

We look at the pros and cons of Mobility as a Service, and the vehicles set to help change the face of car ownership
Features
29 Dec 2024
Tesla Model Y alternatives: cars you could buy instead of Tesla's top-selling SUV
Tesla Model Y alternatives - header image

Tesla Model Y alternatives: cars you could buy instead of Tesla's top-selling SUV

The Tesla Model Y is a superb family SUV with EV power, but what if you fancy something different? We’ve come up with the best new and used alternativ…
Features
18 Dec 2024

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: sleek ‘n’ sporty Mazda 3 hatch at just £173 a month
Mazda 3 front corner tracking

Car Deal of the Day: sleek ‘n’ sporty Mazda 3 hatch at just £173 a month

Mazda’s high-quality family hatch might cost less than you expect with low initial payment and monthly fee
News
2 Feb 2025
Volvo XC40 alternatives: New and used substitutes for the stylish Swedish SUV
Volvo XC40 alternatives - header image

Volvo XC40 alternatives: New and used substitutes for the stylish Swedish SUV

The Volvo XC40 is a superb family SUV, but what if you want something different? We’ve come up with six great new and used alternative choices
Features
1 Feb 2025
Car brands like Tesla and Vauxhall risk falling behind due to poor leadership
Opinion - Mike Rutherford

Car brands like Tesla and Vauxhall risk falling behind due to poor leadership

Mike Rutherford thinks manufacturers like Tesla and Vauxhall could be left behind due to poor management decisions
Opinion
2 Feb 2025