Lotus’s subsidiary, Lotus Engineering, has unveiled the new track bicycle, the ‘2024 Hope-Lotus Olympic Track Bicycle,’ for Team GB ahead of the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, which will kick off in July.
Proven cycling technology at the Olympics
The performance of Lotus bicycles has already been proven on the Olympic stage. In 1992, the Lotus Type 108 won a gold medal with the British team at the Barcelona Olympics, and at the previous event, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Hope/Lotus track bike also brought home gold for Team GB. Recently, the innovative Type 136, featuring an ultra-light e-bike motor, was unveiled, exciting fans.
The newly unveiled track bicycle from Lotus has undergone optimization to deliver performance that surpasses that of the previous Tokyo Olympics. For example, a new bicycle cockpit has been developed utilizing Lotus’s strengths, such as innovative aerodynamic performance, advanced materials, and lightweight design. A uniquely shaped front fork and handlebar are notable examples.
Enhanced aerodynamic performance… Utilizing the same materials and processes as the hypercar ‘Evija’
The fork, inspired by fighter jets, features a new serrated design that helps optimize airflow around the rider. The custom handlebar aids the rider in creating a more efficient ‘aero position’ during long races, and the improved integration with the fork reduces air resistance further.
Lightweight design, reminiscent of Lotus sports cars, is another key strength. For example, the fork of this bicycle has achieved overwhelming weight reduction using the same carbon fiber materials and single-cure manufacturing process as Lotus’s hypercar, the Evija.
Richard Hill, Lotus’s chief aerodynamicist who led the design of this Olympic track bicycle, expressed, “Lotus has been continuously collaborating with the British Cycling Association and Hope Technology, a UK bicycle specialist, as well as global precision engineering company Renishaw, to create the most efficient and beautiful bicycles. I am very pleased to once again play a pivotal role in providing opportunities for the British team athletes to succeed and to push for continuous innovation.” He has played a central role in the development of Lotus bicycles, from the Type 108 and Type 110 for the Tour de France in the ’90s to the recent design of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic track bicycle.
Mark Stringer, director of the commercial division at Lotus Engineering, noted, “Lotus bicycles perfectly demonstrate our ability to convey the technology and knowledge gained over 76 years of automotive development to other industries with a fresh perspective. We wish the British team the best of luck on the upcoming Olympic stage.”
Meanwhile, Kolon Mobility Group, which established Lotus Automobile Korea after signing an official partnership last May, is the only official importer of Lotus in Korea and manages exclusive distribution. Furthermore, based on their long history and expertise in premium automotive distribution and sales, Kolon Mobility Group is leading the comprehensive mobility business through structural reform and expansion, having launched a new brand called ‘702’ encompassing all mobility services.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr