You step into the car through the head-turning doors that slide back and upward, taking part of the roof with it for easy driver access. Then you perch your bum on the smooth carbon fibre in front of the passenger seat, and simply slide across into the central driver’s seat.

The wraps are off a radical new electric concept car from Lotus, designed to showcase the ‘future of intelligent performance vehicles’. The Lotus Theory 1 demonstrates the British company’s new design manifesto – and reveals new technological innovations.

Thanks to its interesting tech, the all-electric Theory 1 concept reveals how Lotus could go back to it roots in the electric age.

Lotus has released a new concept car which aims to act as a showcase for the brand’s new design direction. The Theory 1 incorporates a three-seater setup, with the driver occupying a central position in the vehicle with a passenger on each side behind.

As tends to be the case with high-performance EVs, the Theory 1 is all-wheel drive, with a combined output of 986 horsepower. Lotus claims a 0-62 mph run in less than 2.5 seconds alongside a top speed of 198 mph.