When Lotus launched the Elise mid-engined sports activities automotive in 1996, the mannequin embodied the corporate’s ethos of “including lightness” like virtually no different Lotus earlier than it and weighed beneath 1,600 kilos. The mannequin developed over time and was stored in manufacturing till 2021 when Lotus mentioned it could get an EV alternative in 2026.
Work on the long run electrical sports activities automotive codenamed Sort 135 was already underway when the Elise was phased out. Lotus then introduced it was pushing again the launch of the mannequin to 2027.
Now even that appears unsure as per Lotus Group design boss Ben Payne, who lately talked to Autocar in regards to the upcoming electrical sports activities automotive.
Lotus Sort 135 has been within the works for just a few years
Lotus introduced that it was engaged on a bespoke electrical sports activities automotive to function the non secular successor to the Elise and it had plans to launch it in 2027. Nonetheless, we may even see it later if EV batteries do not change into lighter within the subsequent couple of years.
Payne mentioned present EV batteries make vehicles too heavy, which is one thing that simply wouldn’t be appropriate for a Lotus sports activities automotive, even an electrical one. He mentioned “the expertise proper now does probably not mean you can recreate that product in a convincing manner,” noting that it’s a lot simpler to make a bigger, taller automobile electrical. In distinction, an electrical sports activities automotive is far more durable to create given the dimensions and weight constraints that it imposes.
He went on to elucidate that “the archetype of the second is the bigger, increased product, as a result of you possibly can very simplistically bundle the required technical components into that dimension of auto extra simply.” When requested whether or not this implies Lotus would miss the 2027 launch deadline for the electrical sports activities automotive, which might not solely function a alternative for the Elise but additionally the present Emira, he declined to offer a definitive reply, saying that it was nonetheless “100% potential” to have the automobile prepared by then. Nonetheless, “it’s a tough job.”
Lotus might need to preserve its future electrical sports activities automotive gentle, however it has no drawback promoting heavy EVs made in China beneath its model. The Lotus Eletre electrical SUV weighs about 5,800 kilos, whereas the Emeya electrical sedan weighs just below 5,500 kilos—making it round 500 kilos heavier than its rival, the Porsche Taycan Turbo.
The electrical sports activities automotive scene ought to be populated by many engaging fashions in 2027, with the launch of the electrical Porsche 718, the Polestar 6, the manufacturing model of the Toyota FT:Se and the Caterham Venture V. The latter might have components from different producers however remains to be anticipated to weigh simply over 2,600 lbs. A technique Caterham stored the Venture V so gentle was by giving it a comparatively small 55-kilowatt-hour battery pack, which is predicted to offer 249 miles of WLTP vary (nearer to 200 miles on the EPA take a look at cycle).
Lotus might additionally preserve the kilos off by giving the electrical sports activities automotive a small battery. The automotive gained’t be as small because the Elise we all know, although, so it gained’t should go down the identical route as Nyobolt with its electrical reinterpretation of the basic Elise, which may have a small 35 kWh battery good for a claimed 155 miles on one cost.
The Lotus Sort 135 will likely be constructed within the UK on a brand new devoted electrical sports activities automotive platform that’s 37% lighter than what the producer makes use of in the Emira. It may take battery packs ranging in capability from 66.4 kWh to 99.6 kWh each within the ground and behind the seats and it permits for two- or four-seater configurations.
