Lotus unveils the type 136 electric road bike

The new type 136 is described by Lotus as an electrified, track-inspired performance bike.

Lotus said that the aero design has been inspired by Lotus’ gold medal-winning bikes, from the iconic Type 108 bike at the 1992 Barcelona Games, to the most recent Hope/Lotus track bike, which saw the GB track cycling team top the medal table at Tokyo 2020.

The handmade bike features V-shaped handlebars and wing-shaped forks, designed in-house by Lotus, and a frame ‘carved by air in a virtual wind tunnel’. The bike has a full carbon monocoque frame construction, pioneered in the design of the type 108 and 110.

Lotus claimed that what makes the bike truly unique is its dual-use functionality, as a thoroughbred, mechanical road bike, and a light-weight e-bike.

The whole bike, including the battery, weighs 9.8kg, which Lotus said makes it the lightest e-bike on the market.

The WATT Assist pro motor weighs 300g, packs 125W/kg, and provides up to three hours of all-electric ride time, with a '35 per cent advantage' on climbs, according to HPS.