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Even Lotus, the maker of lightweight and tossable sports cars, is heading towards an electric future. It's happening rather quickly, too, as the brand has already taken the wraps off its battery-powered Eletre SUV and Emeya sedan. Next in line is a more traditional sports car in the vein of the British automaker's past creations, codenamed Type 135 for now.
British publication Autocar claims that the Type 135 will make its debut in 2025, before hitting showrooms in 2027 to replace the Emira, its last remaining combustion model. Lotus is said to be aiming for a price of around $95,345, which doesn't stray far at all from the current $93,900 price tag demanded by the Emira.
Lotus Group Chief Commercial Officer Mike Johnstone acknowledged to Autocar that a small sports car is the only way for the brand to keep its identity in the electric era, especially with the heavier, more luxury-oriented Eletre and Emeya drawing criticism for contradicting Lotus's lightweight image. "We need the bullseye of the brand, which has to be that two-seat sports car," Johnstone said. "Otherwise, we’re just a brand with a Lotus badge. The sports car is an essential part of our future."
The Type 135 will offer both single- and dual-motor powertrains, each making a respective 469 and 872 hp. Single-motor versions will likely send power directly to the rear wheels, as the LEVA platform upon which it will be based does not support front-wheel drive. As for dual-motor variants, there's a possibility that they could feature a torque-vectoring AWD system inspired by the one in the Evija hypercar.
A choice of two different batteries will supply power to the motors, with either a 66.4-kWh pack delivering 300 miles of range or a larger 99.6-kWh version providing around 450 miles. The batteries will be stacked behind the driver as opposed to under the floor, as this will allow for a lower ride height akin to the Lotus's past sports cars. Unfortunately, that can't hide the immense weight these batteries will bring, although the Type 135's chassis will reportedly be 37% lighter than the outgoing Emira's.
Production of the Type 135 will take place in England just like the gas-powered models that came before it. When the sports car goes on sale in 2027, Lotus predicts that it will be able to move between 10,000 and 15,000 units off the lots each year.
Image Credits: Lotus
Future Cars
Feb 14, 2024
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Lotus Will Release New Electric Sports Car In 2027 To Replace Emira
Lotus has already confirmed that the Emira is its final combustion-powered model.
Even Lotus, the maker of lightweight and tossable sports cars, is heading towards an electric future. It's happening rather quickly, too, as the brand has already taken the wraps off its battery-powered Eletre SUV and Emeya sedan. Next in line is a more traditional sports car in the vein of the British automaker's past creations, codenamed Type 135 for now.
British publication Autocar claims that the Type 135 will make its debut in 2025, before hitting showrooms in 2027 to replace the Emira, its last remaining combustion model. Lotus is said to be aiming for a price of around $95,345, which doesn't stray far at all from the current $93,900 price tag demanded by the Emira.
Lotus Group Chief Commercial Officer Mike Johnstone acknowledged to Autocar that a small sports car is the only way for the brand to keep its identity in the electric era, especially with the heavier, more luxury-oriented Eletre and Emeya drawing criticism for contradicting Lotus's lightweight image. "We need the bullseye of the brand, which has to be that two-seat sports car," Johnstone said. "Otherwise, we’re just a brand with a Lotus badge. The sports car is an essential part of our future."
The Type 135 will offer both single- and dual-motor powertrains, each making a respective 469 and 872 hp. Single-motor versions will likely send power directly to the rear wheels, as the LEVA platform upon which it will be based does not support front-wheel drive. As for dual-motor variants, there's a possibility that they could feature a torque-vectoring AWD system inspired by the one in the Evija hypercar.
A choice of two different batteries will supply power to the motors, with either a 66.4-kWh pack delivering 300 miles of range or a larger 99.6-kWh version providing around 450 miles. The batteries will be stacked behind the driver as opposed to under the floor, as this will allow for a lower ride height akin to the Lotus's past sports cars. Unfortunately, that can't hide the immense weight these batteries will bring, although the Type 135's chassis will reportedly be 37% lighter than the outgoing Emira's.
Production of the Type 135 will take place in England just like the gas-powered models that came before it. When the sports car goes on sale in 2027, Lotus predicts that it will be able to move between 10,000 and 15,000 units off the lots each year.
Image Credits: Lotus
