Lotus Type 135 Supercar Targets 1.5-Ton Weight and 1,000-HP Hybrid V-8

Under the ownership of Geely since 2017, Lotus is actively adjusting its product roadmap to balance electrification with enthusiast demand. While the brand previously pledged to become fully electric, it has revised its Focus 2030 strategy to embrace hybrid powertrains. In China, the company already sells the hybrid Eletre X (badged as the Lotus For Me), with European sales scheduled to begin later this year.

A central element of this multi-powertrain direction is the upcoming Type 135 supercar, which will bridge the gap between the mid-engine Emira and the electric Evija hypercar. Lotus executives confirmed that the Type 135 will be offered with both hybrid V-6 and hybrid V-8 powertrains, the latter delivering approximately 1,000 horsepower. Reviving an eight-cylinder option connects the newcomer to the heritage of the classic Esprit V-8 while satisfying customer appetite for emotive powertrain sound and engaging driving dynamics.

Despite the complex electrified setup, Lotus is aggressively pursuing lightweight engineering, targeting an overall curb weight of roughly 1.5 tons. The car utilizes an 800-volt architecture alongside electric drive units developed with Formula 1 technology, reducing the weight of a typical 150-kW motor from 75–95 kilograms down to just 20 kilograms. To handle high torque output while controlling mass, Lotus is codeveloping a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with Horse Powertrains, the joint venture between Geely and Renault.

Production responsibilities will remain divided between facilities. The historic Hethel plant in the United Kingdom will focus on ICE and plug-in hybrid sports cars in limited numbers, while the Wuhan plant in China continues mass production of lifestyle EVs like the Eletre and Emeya. Manufacturing sports cars in Britain also provides an operational advantage by potentially circumventing United States connected-vehicle software regulations aimed at Chinese-built models. Supporting its regional footprint, Lotus Americas has also relocated its headquarters from Michigan to Austin, Texas, citing proximity to engineering talent and motorsport culture around Circuit of the Americas.