Lotus creates concept vehicle with Hot Wheels

Lotus and the famed Hot Wheels are coming together to give shape to a Lotus Hot Wheels Concept vehicle.

According to a report, the famous global die-cast brand has been hired by Lotus to design, develop and produce the concept vehicle. The report added
that a 1:64 scale version of the design will become part of the Hot Wheels product range in spring 2008.

It all happened when Hot Wheels, in a bid to make its 40th anniversary a mega event next year, approached Lotus and other automobile makers with
the challenge for each company to produce a vehicle that embodies its own engineering philosophy and brand.

The charming open-top two seat sports car concept was born when Lotus was okay with the idea.

According to Lotus officials, Lotus Design's international reputation for designing visually dynamic and exhilarating sports cars perfectly fitted the brief for this program and the team relished the opportunity to design a concept that was free from the typical technical and legal constraints of a full size car.

The challenges before the team were huge, as it was a unique project and it had to work as a toy. The final design by Steven Crijns, Design Manager at Lotus Design, succeeds in being both instantly recognizable as a Lotus and a Hot Wheels Car, the report added.

Hot Wheels cars are just about 75 mm long, so specific attention went to create a bold shape that would work well at this scale. Another challenge was to create an exciting design that would work well as a toy.

The car looks agile and bold aerodynamic aids incorporated help in achieving exceptional Lotus handling, a preview study said. The top exit radiator at the front, a distinctive Lotus design feature, the rear diffuser and a large rear wing all provide down-force helping the vehicle stick to the road. In addition, large side air intakes and an open rear end aid engine breathing. Inside the car, the exposed centre spine is part of the structure and incorporates the switches and gear linkage and supports the rear wing.

It is being said that the same design team who created this concept will also design Lotus’ new range of cars.

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