Lotus has officially confirmed the development of a new mid-engine supercar, the Type 135, with a hybrid V8 powertrain producing over 1000 hp. The model's premiere is scheduled for 2028. The very fact of such a car appearing was unexpected: until recently, the company intended to completely abandon internal combustion engines by the end of the decade.
The new supercar will be the first road-going Lotus with a V8 since the Esprit, whose production ended in 2004. According to Autocar, the car will receive a hybrid system based on a new engine developed jointly with Horse – a division of Renault and Geely. Lotus deliberately abandoned a heavy plug-in scheme to reduce weight and maintain its signature handling.
The company openly admits: the premium sports car market was not ready to fully switch to battery-powered models. Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng stated that buyers "still want the feel of a big engine," not just the instant acceleration of electric vehicles.
Interestingly, Lotus's pivot comes amid a general cooling of interest in expensive electric supercars. Even brands that actively promoted a complete abandonment of internal combustion engines are now returning to hybrids. Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren have already opted for high-performance petrol-electric schemes. Now, Lotus is effectively joining them.
According to preliminary information, the Type 135 will be produced in Hethel, UK, alongside the Emira. Aesthetically, the car may inherit features from the Theory 1 concept: a wide body, active aerodynamics, and massive central exhaust pipes.
For Lotus, this model is important for several reasons. The brand is not only trying to regain the interest of classic sports car enthusiasts but also effectively acknowledging that a complete transition to electric vehicles has proven much more difficult than expected just a few years ago.
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