Lotus is reviving the Esprit, at least in spirit—and possibly even in name. The automaker released a teaser for the Type 135, the next supercar from the British brand. While Type 135 is just a codename, Lotus renewed its trademark of the Esprit moniker back in 2023, making the new model the perfect candidate for the nameplate.
Originally proposed as an electric replacement to the Emira, the Type 135 is now being pitched as a hybrid V-8 that'll arrive in 2028. Thanks to a new document from Lotus detailing its Focus 2030 plan, we now know that the Type 135 will be powered by a hybrid V-8, making it the first road-going Lotus V-8 since the Esprit left production in 2004.
The teaser video is dark, but it showcases the Type 135's ultra-wide stance. A pair of exhaust tips jut out from the rear bumper and sit above what looks to be a forged-carbon diffuser. It's tough to tell from the rear shot, but the Type 135 looks to split the difference in aggressive styling between the Emira's swooping lines and the Evija's fighter-jet profile.
View Price on AmazonLotus says its current plans are to build the Type 135 in Europe, though the manufacturer hasn't listed a specific plant. The Type 135 will be totally new too, though the company may use some learnings from its Eletre X hybrid SUV when developing the powertrain.
We don't yet have any specifics on the engine, but the brand claims that it will make "more than 1000 PS." On our side of the pond, that means at least 986 horsepower. It's not yet clear how that power will be split between the V-8 and the hybrid system, though the bulk of the power will come from the engine.
Since both are powered by 4.0-liter V-8s and a trio of electric motors, the Lamborghini Temerario and Ferrari 849 Testarossa could serve as examples of how the Type 135 will operate. In the Lambo's case, the V-8 is good for 789 horsepower, with its axial-flux motors bringing the total up to 907 ponies. The Ferrari is even more powerful, with the 4.0-liter V-8 churning out 819 hp and the trio of electric motors pushing the total to 1036 hp combined.
Despite Lotus's history of focusing on lightweight vehicles, we think the Type 135 will be set up more similarly to the Ferrari, which houses a 6.5-kWh battery, versus the Temerario's 3.8-kWh pack. The larger battery would allow Lotus to eke out a bit more power, without sacrificing too much performance in terms of weight.
Source: caranddriver.com
