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Lotus Gears Up for an Electric Transition with the New Type 135 Sports Car

Anubhav — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 02:04:54 +0000

Lotus is eyeing the future with its eyes set on electrification. By 2027, the iconic British brand is expected to make a bold pivot, phasing out the Emira in favor of the electric Type 135 sports car. Pegged as a more accessible alternative to the high-flying, $1.5 million Evija, the Type 135’s anticipated price tag hovers around $95,345.

The New Electric Car is expected to have 872 hp for the two-motor version

Mike Johnstone, Lotus Group’s Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the critical role of a two-seat sports car in maintaining the essence of the Lotus brand. It’s not just about having a car with a Lotus badge; it’s about capturing the spirit and innovation that have defined the marque.

The Type 135 is not just any electric vehicle. It’s set to be a marvel of engineering, riding on the Lightweight Electric Vehicle Architecture (LEVA). This innovative chassis is touted to be 37% lighter than that of the Emira, although the final weight will see an uptick due to the inclusion of a hefty battery pack.

Lotus is promising versatility with one- and two-motor setups, delivering 469 horsepower and 872 horsepower, respectively. This flexibility allows for both rear- and all-wheel drive configurations, keeping the door open for a high-tech torque-vectoring AWD system akin to what’s found in the Evija.

But it’s not just about power. The Type 135 aims to redefine driving dynamics for electric sports cars. Unlike many EVs that house batteries under the floor, Lotus plans to stack them behind the driver. This design choice ensures a lower seating position, providing a more authentic sports car feel that fans of the brand have come to expect.

Production of the Type 135 will be rooted in England, marking a significant move as Lotus’ other models, the Emeya sedan and the Eletre SUV, are manufactured in China. With an annual sales target of 10,000 to 15,000 units globally, Lotus is poised to electrify the sports car market, blending traditional driving joy with modern electric efficiency. As Lotus prepares to roll out this exciting new chapter, the automotive world watches with eager anticipation.

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The New Lotus Emeya Electric has a Giant 55-inch Augmented Heads-Up Display

Anubhav — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 03:04:11 +0000

Lotus rolled out its newest sensation, the Emeya, with a big splash in New York City, aiming to shake up the electric vehicle (EV) market dominated by Tesla and Porsche. While this new electric sedan comes packed with all the high-tech features you’d expect, it’s the Emeya’s focus on sustainability and aerodynamics that steals the spotlight.

The car is equipped with a giant 55-inch heads-up display for comfortable viewing

The Emeya goes all-in on aerodynamics, showcasing an active grille that first made its appearance on the Eletre SUV. The grille does double duty—cutting drag for better efficiency and keeping the battery and brakes cool. Plus, it sports active spoilers and diffusers front and back, ramping up the downforce, essential for tackling tricky turns and high-speed driving.

However, what really makes the Emeya stand out in a crowded field is its commitment to sustainable materials. This Lotus model is the first in the world to incorporate yarn made from discarded cotton from the fashion industry for its interior upholstery. This is not just a nod to sustainability but also a weight-saver, presenting an alternative to traditional leather seats.

Beyond these features, the interior is smartly designed for a superior driving experience. A cutting-edge KEF 3D surround sound system uses exterior vibration sensors to offer noise cancellation. A gigantic 55-inch augmented reality head-up display ensures you have all the driving info you need without taking your eyes off the road.

With the Emeya, Lotus isn’t just throwing its hat into the EV ring; it’s setting new benchmarks for what an electric sedan should be. Whether it’s the tech-savvy features or the eco-friendly materials, the Emeya looks poised to give its competitors a run for their money.

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Lotus Unveils the Type 133 Electric Sedan with 400 Miles of Range

Anubhav — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 02:43:31 +0000

Electric Vehicles are still a growing occurrence in the market. After a dismal 2022 with only 576 cars sold, Lotus appears to be turning the tide. In a surprising comeback, the British car manufacturer has garnered 17,000 pre-orders for its Emira sports car and Eletre SUV in the first six months of 2023. What seems to be driving this resurgence is Lotus’s unwavering focus on the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) market. The company has made it clear that the Emira will be its last gas vehicle, and their eyes are now firmly set on an electric future.

The Lotus Type 133 has a 400-mile range, thanks to the 112 kilowatt-hour-battery pack

In the pipeline is the Lotus Type 133, an internally named all-electric sedan expected to join the electric lineup. Though its official name is yet to be revealed, the design cues and features are already becoming apparent. Spy photos of the Type 133 indicate a sleek four-door design, aligned more with Tesla Model S than the low-slung Porsche Taycan. Features such as ultra-slim split headlight fixtures and rear light bar, unique to the sedan, have caught the attention of enthusiasts. The aerodynamic build with rear-wheel diffusers and buttressed front fenders seems to further emphasize the commitment to efficiency and performance.

Source: Wiki

Under the hood, the Type 133 is expected to boast impressive specifications, with a matching 112.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack as the Eletre, potentially providing up to 400 miles of range. High-end performance versions might even compete with the Porsche Taycan Turbo S and Tesla Model S Plaid, delivering north of 900 horsepower.

One interesting tidbit is the speculation around the sedan’s name. Traditionally following an “E” nomenclature, Lotus might continue this trend or potentially break away, with some even suggesting a throwback to the early 1960s with a name like “Cortina.”

Set to be revealed before the year’s end and likely going on sale in the summer of 2024, the Type 133 appears to be part of a broader strategy that could make electric vehicles more accessible, with a base price estimated under $90,000.

In a nutshell, Lotus’s unexpected rebound in 2023, underscored by a strategic shift towards electric vehicles, marks a significant milestone for the company. The forthcoming Type 133 sedan embodies this new direction and could well be a bellwether for the brand’s future in a world increasingly leaning towards electric mobility.

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Lotus Unveils Pure Electric Supercar SUV Alongside a Robotic Charging System

Anubhav — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 05:33:35 +0000

Lotus, the renowned British automobile manufacturer, made waves at the 2023 Shanghai Auto Show by unveiling the world’s first-ever mass-produced “flash charging robot” which they had developed independently. They launched it alongside the Lotus Eletra Electric SUV. According to reports, the robot charging system can deliver up to 500 kilowatts of power, making it one of the most potent fast-charging devices available on the market today. The charging head can be inserted into the charging port of the vehicle automatically, thanks to the robot arm, without requiring any human intervention. Additionally, the charging system has features like automation and intelligence, which enable it to move on a track on the ground and adapt to different charging port locations and parking situations.

The Eletre is Lotus’s first Electric SUV in the market, originally announced in 2022

As mentioned previously, Lotus also showcased its pure electric supercar SUV Eletre and its accompanying robot charging system at the Shanghai Auto Show. The Eletre is Lotus’s maiden electric SUV and is regarded as a vital product for its entry into the Chinese market. The vehicle is powered by a high-torque electric motor codenamed EDS2, capable of generating a maximum power of over 600 horsepower. The Eletre features a two-speed gearbox on the rear axle motor and adopts an electronically controlled four-wheel drive system. Lotus claims that the Eletre can go from 0 to 100km/h in just 2.95 seconds and cover a maximum cruising range of 600 kilometres (373 miles) on a single charge, as per the WLTP standard. The battery capacity of the vehicle exceeds 100kWh, and it takes just 20 minutes to recharge under the 350kW charging condition, allowing the car to drive for 400 kilometres (248 miles). Eletre is also compatible with 22kW AC charging. Lotus announced that it would launch the Eletre in China in 2023.

Lotus is reportedly planning to introduce 50 units of the flash-charging robot system in China, which will be compatible with all-electric vehicles. It remains to be seen whether this innovative charging system will be made available in other parts of the world.

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Lotus unveils the 600HP Eletre Hyper SUV, its first electric vehicle

Jed John Ikoba — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 20:38:30 +0000

British carmaker Lotus has unveiled its first electric vehicle, an AWD SUV with deliveries likely to start rolling in from next year across several markets. The Lotus 600HP Eletre is a hyper SUV that packs power, speed, and innovation into a single unit. The Lotus 600HP Eletre comes with five doors and reflects a similar design philosophy as the Emira sports car. It also reflects some characteristics of the all-electric Evija hypercar.

Lotus is calling the 600HP Eletre an hyper SUV. It is the first-ever five-door production car, the first lifestyle EV, the first Lotus offering outside the sports car segment, and the most connected model from the company so far. Although there are some key details still lacking for the model, the company says it could have a monster range of 373 miles (600km). This would mean that the Eletre could be competing with some of the heavy hitters in the market like the Tesla Model X Long Range Plus. The 600HP motor is capable of producing top speeds of 161mph (259km/h) and it can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in under three seconds.

The Eletre’s exterior design features an efficient aerodynamics design developed by a team led by Ben Payne. The Lotus 600HP Eletre seems to have placed a marker of performance for other models that will emerge. It is an elegant, efficient, and high-speed SUV. Its interior sports recyclable materials which are also durable.

The interior of the 600HP Eletre is a marvel to behold. The infotainment system and the entire interior sports cutting-edge and innovative gadgets and an exciting design. It is the first vehicle in the market with a deployable LIDAR system. This is used to supplement the driver-assist system in the EV. The LIDAR functionality will become a mainstay of autonomous vehicles and its presence in the Eletre is impressive. The car has been designed with the future in mind and it can accept OTA updates going forward.

There is no pricing information for the Lotus 600HP Eletre but we expect the details to be out as progress is made to its eventual release in 2023. Production will be done in the company’s new production facility in Wuhan, China. Some of the markets that will see the Lotus 600HP Eletre SUV are China, Europe, and the United Kingdom from 2023.