In full transition, Lotus unveils a first sketch of its future electric sports car, which is however not expected before 2025. It should share a lot with the replacement for the Alpine A110, also electric.
Lotus had a unique positioning in the automotive industry by offering light and relatively accessible sports cars. However, this philosophy seems to have changed since the takeover of the English manufacturer by the Chinese giant Geely. Thus, the first model presented by Lotus since is an electric hypercar with certainly amazing performance, but with a mass of nearly 1.7 t and a price of around two million euros.
As for the trio Elise, Exige and Evora, which made up the range before the takeover, they all three left the Lotus catalog last year. The brand has nevertheless relaunched a thermal sports car in the form of the Emira, but the future of Lotus is above all electric.
A silhouette reminiscent of the Lotus Esprit
Thus, Lotus plans to launch four new electric vehicles, including two SUVs and a “four-door coupe”, but above all a sports car known by the code name Type 135. The brand is today unveiling a first image, even though the model is not expected before 2025. This sketch reveals lines that seem to pay homage to the illustrious Lotus Esprit.
The Type 135 should share a lot with the replacement for the Alpine A110, which will also go electric and which is the result of a joint development between the two manufacturers.
Lotus also announces a partnership with the English Britishvolt on the development of battery cells dedicated to this electric sports car. The main issue will obviously be the weight, electric cars being weighed down by their battery. It remains to be seen how much this future Lotus Type 135 and Alpine’s next electric berlinetta will have things in common.