Lotus is preparing to introduce its latest offering, a battery-electric sports car expected to be priced around $95,000 upon its release. This price point would position the new model, known as the Type 135, slightly below the current Emira V6, Lotus’s final combustion-powered sports car.
Set to rival the electric Porsche Cayman and Boxster twins, the Type 135 will feature Lotus’s new Lightweight Electric Vehicle Architecture (LEVA), which is designed for high configurability and will underpin multiple models. Unlike traditional EVs that place batteries in the floor, Lotus will position the battery pack directly behind the cabin, akin to the location of an engine in a mid-engined car. This placement allows for optimized driving positions, ensuring occupants can sit as low as possible in the cockpit.
According to reports, the entry-level Type 135 models will be equipped with a 66 kWh battery pack, while higher-end versions will feature a 99 kWh pack. The sports car is expected to offer at least two powertrain configurations: a single-motor variant with rear-wheel drive and 462 hp, and a dual-motor setup with 872 hp and all-wheel drive.
Lotus’s chief commercial officer, Mike Johnston, described the Type 135 as a vehicle that embodies the essence of the brand, stating, “It’s our bullseye: a pure two-seater that must live and breathe the brand. Someone who’s owned an Elise or Esprit should be able to get into the Lotus Type 135 and feel instantly at home.”
Originally planned as a joint venture with Alpine, Lotus has since parted ways with the company, opting to develop the Type 135 independently. The new battery-electric sports car is scheduled to be launched in 2027, marking another milestone in Lotus’s transition towards electrification.
