Lotus Hot Wheels

The Lotus Hot Wheels concept came about through a joint effort between the Lotus Group and Hot Wheels. A 1:5 scale model of the concept went on show at the 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and in the concept became a 1:64 model available in the Hot wheels range. The challenge Hot Wheels set Lotus, and other manufacturers, was to create a concept which embodied their own design and engineering philosophy. The designer of the Lotus Hot Wheels concept, Steve Crijns, took elements from production Lotus cars like the Elise and Exige and incorporated them into the design in order that the concept was instantly recognizable as a Lotus. The design was also reflects Lotus' fanaticism with keeping the weight to a minimum, and as such the body appears to be wrapped tightly over the mechanical elements. The voluptuous curves this brings also increases the sporting stance of the car. Interesting design features of the Lotus Hot Wheels concept include dramatically different front and rear wheel sizes, a wraparound windscreen, and a spine running down the center of the car through the cockpit and holding the massive rear wing.