New Models
New Models

Lotus E-R9: British brand designs all-electric race car of the future

The concept features an all-electric drivetrain, enhanced torque-vectoring, active aerodynamics, and a quick-change battery pack – or at least it would, if it really existed.


British sports car specialist Lotus has unveiled a render of its E-R9 concept; the result an in-house design study imagining an all-electric race car for the 2030 season.

The Lotus E-R9 features a fighter jet-style canopy, situated on a single-piece carbon-fibre wing. Strong aesthetic inspiration appears to have been drawn from the Red Bull X2010, which was developed as the “ultimate speed machine” for the 2010 PlayStation 3 video games Gran Turismo 5.

Lotus’s chief aerodynamicist, Richard Hill, was responsible for designing the vehicle alongside Evija engineer Louis Kerr.

According to Mr Hill, the vehicle features active aerodynamics through the use of “morphing” body panels, allowing for maximum speed on straights and optimum downforce through corners.

“What we’ve tried to do is to push the boundaries of where we are technically today and extrapolate into the future. The Lotus E-R9 incorporates technologies which we fully expect to develop and be practical,” the aerodynamicist added. “Lotus has an amazing history of developing unique solutions, and we’ve done it many times in motorsport and with our road cars.”

Under its rendered bodywork, the Lotus E-R9 concept features an all-electric drivetrain with an independent motor powering each wheel for enhanced torque-vectoring, alongside a quick-change battery pack designed to be replaceable during a standard pitstop.

The all-electric Lotus Evija hypercar – which, unlike the E-R9, actually exists in three dimensions – is set to come onto the market later this year, after multiple delays.

Limited to just 130 examples, the car is powered by four electric motors drawing voltage from a 70kWh lithium-ion battery. These produces a cumulative 1470kW/1700Nm, making it one of the most powerful production cars ever built.

Pricing is expected to start £1.7 million (approximately AU$3.1 million).


MORE:Lotus Showroom
MORE:Lotus News
MORE:Lotus Reviews
MORE:Lotus Showroom
MORE:Lotus News
MORE:Lotus Reviews
William Davis

William Davis has written for Drive since July 2020, covering news and current affairs in the automotive industry. He has maintained a primary focus on industry trends, autonomous technology, electric vehicle regulations, and local environmental policy. As the newest addition to the Drive team, William was brought onboard for his attention to detail, writing skills, and strong work ethic. Despite writing for a diverse range of outlets – including the Australian Financial Review, Robb Report, and Property Observer – since completing his media degree at Macquarie University, William has always had a passion for cars.

Read more about William DavisLinkIcon
Chat with us!







Chat with Agent