Lotus, the iconic British carmaker, has announced that it is developing an all-electric sports car, currently known by the internal design code Type 135, which will replace the recently launched Emira. The two-seater lightweight sports car is being designed to appeal to the market segment the brand is most associated with, and is the EV successor to the Elan and Elise.
Unlike Lotus’s SUVs and sedan, which will be engineered in Germany and produced in China, the Type 135 is being developed in the UK and will be manufactured at Lotus’s long-time home in Hethel, alongside the Emira. It will be the first car to use Lotus’s new LEVA platform, which combines a bonded-aluminum structure with a so-called “chest battery” mounted behind the passenger compartment rather than under the floor. A cast-aluminum subframe behind it will serve as the mounting point for the control-arm rear suspension and the motor.

Lotus is well-known for its focus on lightweight and nimble sports cars, and the Type 135 will continue that tradition by using advanced engineering techniques to reduce weight while maintaining structural rigidity. The new lightweight electric vehicle architecture is expected to help the car achieve impressive performance and range figures, while maintaining the brand’s signature handling and driving experience.
The company has not released many details about the Type 135, but it is expected to have a range of around 250 miles on a single charge and a 0-60mph time of under four seconds. Lotus has a long history of producing some of the most exciting and innovative sports cars in the world, and the Type 135 is expected to continue that tradition by providing an electrified driving experience that is as thrilling as it is sustainable.
Lotus has not yet announced a release date or pricing information for the Type 135, but the car is expected to be available within the next few years, following the launch of the Emira. The Type 135 represents an exciting new chapter in Lotus’s history and is sure to be eagerly anticipated by sports car enthusiasts worldwide.