Lotus Engineering, a subsidiary of Lotus, has unveiled the 2024 Hope-Lotus Olympic track bike, a new track bike for Team GB ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which kick off in July.
The performance of Lotus' bikes has already been proven on the Olympic stage. The Lotus Type 108 won gold with Team GB at Barcelona in 1992, and the Hope/Lotus track bike won gold for Team GB at the last Games in Tokyo 2020. More recently, the revolutionary Type 136, with its ultra-lightweight e-bike motor, was unveiled to fanfare.
The new track bike unveiled by Lotus has been optimised to perform beyond the last Olympic Games in Tokyo. For example, the new bike cockpit has been developed using the strengths of the Lotus brand, including innovative aerodynamics, advanced materials and lightweight design. This includes the uniquely shaped front fork and handlebars.
The fighter jet-inspired fork has a new serrated design that improves airflow around the rider. A customised handlebar helps riders create a more efficient 'aero position' for longer races, while an improved integrated design with the fork further reduces drag.
Another strong point is the lightweight design, reminiscent of Lotus sports cars. The fork section of the bike is made from the same carbon fibre material and single-cure manufacturing process as Lotus' hypercar Evija, resulting in significant weight savings.
"Lotus has consistently worked with British Cycling, British bike specialist Hope Technology and global precision engineering company Renishaw to create the most efficient and beautiful bikes possible," said Richard Hill, Lotus Chief Aerodynamics Officer, who led the design of the Olympic track bikes. "We are delighted to once again play a pivotal role in giving Team GB athletes the opportunity to succeed and driving ongoing innovation." He has played a pivotal role in the development of Lotus' bikes in the past, having designed the Lotus Type 108 and Type 110 Tour de France bikes in the 90s and more recently the Tokyo 2020 Olympic track bike.
Mark Stringer, Commercial Director, Lotus Engineering, said: "The Lotus bicycle is a perfect demonstration of our ability to bring our skills and knowledge from over 76 years of automotive development to other industries with a fresh perspective. We wish Team GB the very best of luck in the upcoming Olympic Games."
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