Lotus is engaged on a crossover. Sure, the corporate well-known for light-weight sports activities automobiles is increasing into automobiles usually discovered on the grocery retailer as a substitute of on the monitor. The transfer is important to spice up Lotus’ monetary well being, and the income generated ought to result in new and higher sports activities automobiles.
The brand new crossover, code-named the Sort 132, is due for a reveal in 2022, and Lotus on Monday supplied the primary glimpse in a teaser photograph and video. All we’re proven is what’s prone to be intakes within the entrance fascia. Because the video reveals, the intakes sport lively shutters designed to enhance aerodynamics and cooling traits.
The Sort 132 is one in all 4 new automobiles Lotus has within the works, all of them electrical automobiles. Additionally within the pipeline is a second crossover (Sort 134), a four-door coupe (Sort 133), and a sports car (Type 135).
The Sort 132 (and more than likely the Sort 134) shall be primarily based on a modular EV platform called Evolution. A pair of dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrains are anticipated to be on provide, with the extra highly effective of those anticipated to ship as a lot as 750 hp. And the most important battery ought to have greater than 100 kilowatt-hours of capability.
China is predicted to be the most important marketplace for the crossover, and in consequence manufacturing shall be dealt with there, particularly at a brand new plant underneath building within the metropolis of Wuhan. The plant may also be dwelling to manufacturing of the second crossover and four-door coupe. Manufacturing of Lotus sports activities automobiles will stay on the firm’s dwelling in Hethel, U.Ok. Manufacturing volumes for the Sort 132 (and different fashions in-built Wuhan) shall be increased than your typical Lotus, although nonetheless restricted.
After subsequent yr’s launch of the Sort 132, Lotus will launch the Sort 133 four-door coupe in 2023 and the Sort 134 crossover in 2025. Lotus will then launch the Sort 135 sports activities automotive in 2026. As talked about, all of the automobiles shall be electrical. Lotus has confirmed that the lately launched Emira sports car is its final to be fitted with an internal-combustion engine.
