Lotus guns for Taycan, then Macan, Boxster
Autocar UK|May 03, 2023
Hethel brand's EV era will ramp up with a saloon packing up to 904bhp, a compact SUV and a 'pure' sports car
Lotus guns for Taycan, then Macan, Boxster

Lotus will accelerate its reinvention as an EV-only premium brand in the next three years with the arrivals of a new electric saloon and crossover designed to dramatically increase its sales volume - followed by a new line-up-crowning sports car that will affirm its performance credentials.

These three models will follow the new Eletre, which is both the British firm's first series-production EV and its first SUV. Lotus is now owned by Chinese car giant Geely, which has invested heavily in ramping up the facilities at two sites. The Lotus base in Hethel, Norfolk, will remain home to sports car production, while the higher-volume EVs will be produced at a new Lotus Technology facility in Wuhan, China.

That facility has an annual production capacity of 150,000 units, which Lotus has set as its annual sales target for 2028 onwards. Production there will be split between the Eletre, a new electric saloon codenamed Type 133 and a smaller crossover known as Type 134. These models represent the core of the boldest product offensive in Lotus's 75-year history and will push its annual sales to unprecedented levels.

Deliveries of the Eletre - a rival to the Porsche Cayenne and Lamborghini Urus - have just begun in China and the model is set to arrive in Europe in the coming months. It uses Lotus's bespoke Electric Premium Architecture (EPA), an aluminium-based platform that can accept a wide range of battery sizes and powertrain layouts and will be shared with the next two models.

Type 133 to take on Taycan

Set to be revealed late this year, the Type 133 will be the first Lotus performance saloon since the early-1990s Vauxhall-based Carlton and is set to be particularly popular in China and the US - crucial markets for Lotus. Around five metres long, the Porsche Taycan rival will be positioned as the most luxurious model in the firm's line-up.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 03, 2023-Ausgabe von Autocar UK.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 03, 2023-Ausgabe von Autocar UK.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS AUTOCAR UKAlle anzeigen
THE DRAMATIC ITALIAN THAT MARKED THE END OF AN ERA
Autocar UK

THE DRAMATIC ITALIAN THAT MARKED THE END OF AN ERA

When the Huracán bowed out, the curtain fell forever on Lambo's V10

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 27, 2024
HOW EV MAKERS CAN WIN THE RACE TO 5.0MPKWH
Autocar UK

HOW EV MAKERS CAN WIN THE RACE TO 5.0MPKWH

Manufacturers are honing every detail to close in on big efficiency goal

time-read
1 min  |
November 27, 2024
MASERATI MC20
Autocar UK

MASERATI MC20

We bid a sad farewell to a handsome supercar that was easy to live with

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 27, 2024
The quickening
Autocar UK

The quickening

Instant acceleration is part of the appeal of an EV, but is it all getting a bit much for unwary and inexperienced drivers? JOHN EVANS investigates

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 27, 2024
Inside track
Autocar UK

Inside track

Watching an F1 race with live access to engineers and telemetry is the stuff of dreams for racing fans. ALEX WOLSTENHOLME makes a day of it

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 27, 2024
WHOLE IN ONE
Autocar UK

WHOLE IN ONE

The Volkswagen Golf has been all things to all motorists for half a century. At the wheel of a classic Mk1, VICKY PARROTT charts the eight-generation history of one of the world's most successful cars

time-read
7 Minuten  |
November 27, 2024
DACIA DUSTER
Autocar UK

DACIA DUSTER

Mk3 model gains digital tech, ADAS, slicker looks... Is this mission creep?

time-read
10 Minuten  |
November 27, 2024
MAZDA CX-80 PHEV
Autocar UK

MAZDA CX-80 PHEV

Another look at Mazda's hefty SUV, this time in plug-in hybrid form

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 27, 2024
VAUXHALL GRANDLAND ELECTRIC
Autocar UK

VAUXHALL GRANDLAND ELECTRIC

Newcomer looks to ease the average family SUV driver into EV motoring

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 27, 2024
BMW X3 20 XDRIVE
Autocar UK

BMW X3 20 XDRIVE

Fourth generation of brand's best-seller arrives with base petrol engine

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 27, 2024