Lotus revealed the next-generation EV endurance racer, the E-R9

KUALA LUMPUR: Looking far into the future, the British supercar maker Lotus unveiled a dramatic new design concept for the next-generation pure electric endurance racing car called the E-R9. The concept could be seen on the electric racing tracks in the 2030 season, says the automaker. 

The Lotus E-R9 is developed by Richard Hill, Lotus’ Chief Aerodynamicist, and his team, in association with Louis Kerr, the principal platform engineer on the Lotus Evija EV. Hill described it as “partly driven like a car and partly flown like a fighter jet.” 

He further added that the concept “incorporates technologies that we fully expect to develop and be practical. Lotus has an amazing history of developing unique solutions, and we’ve done it many times in motorsport and with our road cars.”

The Lotus E-R9 concept features a sleek fighter jet-style canopy centrally positioned in a delta-wing upper body. The innovative enhancements of the hypercar include advanced active aerodynamics with ‘morphing’ body panels as well as vertically mounted control surfaces to assist with high-speed cornering.

Under the computer-generated skin, the electric hypercar features an advanced electric drivetrain powering each wheel independently, along with a system enhancing torque-vectoring. It is based on the technology integrated on the pure-electric Evija, although for the E-R9, it would be fully adjustable by the driver on the move. 

“Battery energy density and power density are developing significantly year on year. Before 2030, we’ll have mixed cell chemistry batteries that give the best of both worlds, as well as the ability to ‘hot-swap’ batteries during pitstops,” said Louis Kerr. 

Talking about the moniker, the E-R signifies ‘endurance racer’ and the number 9 pays tribute to the British brand’s racing past. It includes the Lotus Mark IX, the company’s first racing car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1955 with company founder Colin Chapman among the drivers competing. This means if the E-R9 race car will compete in Le Mans 2030 season then it would be in celebration of the Mark IX’s 75th anniversary.

Also read: A new Lotus Lambda SUV is coming soon, as per the reports