Divyank Kushagra Bansal 
Lotus has unveiled the Type 136, a new electrified performance bicycle that features a battery and electric motor to offer dual-use functionality (via electrical assistance). And before you think, yes, this is the same Lotus brand founded by Colin Chapman and renowned for making some of the lightest and quickest cars on the planet.
Handmade in Italy, the bicycle’s design has been inspired by Lotus’ Olympic gold medal-winning bicycles of the past, such as the Type 108. It features Lotus’ iconic ‘Black Gold’ motorsport livery, which will be available exclusively on the limited ‘First Edition’ units – only 136 will be commissioned. Each of these 136 units will be numbered. The standard model will be available to order in Spring 2024.
The Type 136’s lightweight carbon fibre frame has been designed in a virtual wind tunnel, and co-crafted by Lotus Design and famed aerodynamicist Richard Hill. The V-shaped handlebars, wing-shaped forks, and vaulted chain stays contribute to the aero-optimised design. The bottle holder seen just above the pedals is the battery holder, and the folks at Lotus have actually designed the Type 136’s 193Wh battery to look like a sports water bottle! It can be detached from the holder at the push of a button and can provide power for up to three hours.
And now, time for Type 136’s main technological highlight. It features a Watt Assist Pro Motor system made and supplied by HPS (High Performance Systems). At 1.2kg, it is touted as the lightest e-bike motor system in the world, with the main motor tipping the scales at just 300 grams! Thanks to the use of such lightweight components and a carbon fibre frame, the Type 136 weighs less than 10kg (9.8kg, to be specific).
The Watt Assist Pro Motor system is derived from the Mars Lander Project, and HPS’ Chief Technical Officer is the world-renowned racing car designer and F1 engineer Gary Anderson. Anderson has been associated with some of the most prominent names in F1, such as Brabham, McLaren, and Jordan (he designed the first Jordan Grand Prix car for Eddie Jordan in 1991). In 1999, he designed the Stewart Ford SF3 F1 car for Sir Jackie Stewart and the Jaguar Cosworth R1 F1 in 2000. Therefore, all HPS products are engineered with an inherent F1 influence.
While the Type 136 First Edition carries a £20,000 price tag, the standard model will be priced from £15,200. Recently, Aston Martin, in partnership with J.Laverack, also unveiled a hi-tech bicycle called the .1R. You can read more about it here.
