Lotus is reportedly working on a 1,000-horsepower V-8 hybrid supercar set for 2028. The project, known as the Type 135, marks the brand’s most ambitious effort under its Focus 2030 strategy. Unlike previous models, this car will blend traditional Lotus principles with hybrid technology, a move that challenges the company’s long-standing “simplify, then add lightness” philosophy.
The Type 135 is expected to be built at Lotus’ Hethel facility in the U.K., a site central to the brand’s heritage. Production is slated for 2028, with details likely to emerge in the coming years. The car’s rear end, hinted at in early images, suggests a mid-ship layout and a design reminiscent of the Audi R8, according to sources.
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Lotus faces a familiar dilemma: electrification adds weight, contradicting its lightweight ethos. The all-electric Eletre, for example, weighs nearly 5,900 pounds despite its 900-horsepower output. The Type 135 aims to balance power and performance, though it may not achieve the same level of lightness. The hybrid system, derived from Geely’s X-Hybrid tech, promises over 950 horsepower and 150 miles of range.
The Focus 2030 plan includes a mix of internal combustion engines, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles. In the short term, they plan for 60% PHEVs and 40% EVs. The long-term goal is full electrification, but the Type 135 suggests a transitional phase. The Emira, their last gasoline-powered sports car, will see a final high-performance variant before fully electric models take over.
Other models in development include the all-electric Emeya sedan and the Eletre, now called the For Me in China. The Emeya launched in 2023, while the Type 135 will arrive five years later. This timeline gives fans time to prepare, though delays are common in the luxury car sector.
The Type 135’s name may change before launch, with some speculating it could revert to the Esprit moniker. The original Esprit, powered by a V-8, remains a symbol of Lotus’ engineering legacy. Whether the new model honors that heritage remains to be seen, but the hybrid approach signals a strategic pivot for the brand.
Geely’s X-Hybrid system, now in the Eletre, provides a blueprint for future models. Capable of 950 horsepower, it combines a high-voltage battery with a traditional engine. This setup allows Lotus to maintain performance while meeting emissions targets, a balancing act the company has attempted before with mixed results.
Despite the challenges, the Type 135 represents a bold step. It’s unclear how well the hybrid system will integrate with Lotus’ lightweight design, but the project underscores the brand’s commitment to innovation. Whether it succeeds will depend on execution, a factor that has defined Lotus’ history as much as its engineering.
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