Lotus to bring back V8s with new supercar, as it parks electric expansion

The next step in the British sports-car specialist’s backflip on electric cars will be a V8 hybrid supercar producing more than 735kW.

Lotus has teased its first V8-powered car in more than two decades, a new supercar due in 2028 with hybrid power and more than 1000 metric horsepower (735kW).

The Chinese-owned British brand has previously scrapped plans to go electric by 2028, in favour of a new range of plug-in hybrids to lower its emissions while retaining petrol power.

It will pave the way for the Type 135, a new Lotus supercar due in 2028 with a V8 engine and hybrid assistance combining for more than 735kW, and expected to be built in Europe rather than China, like its electric cars.

MORE: Lotus reveals first hybrid, in latest backflip on electric-only plan

The last V8 Lotus, the Esprit.

Type 135 was the codename given to a now-scrapped Lotus electric sports car, and a teaser image released by Lotus shows the V8 with sleek styling and two prominent tailpipes.

There is no word on if the V8 will be sourced from current technical partner Mercedes-AMG, or will be an in-house design.

It may be based on a new V6 developed by Horse, an engine manufacturer part-owned by Lotus’ Chinese parent company Geely, which is reportedly destined for a future iteration of the smaller Emira sports car later this decade, in twin-turbocharged form.

The Emira will continue production for the immediate future, with Lotus announcing it will “unveil an update in the coming weeks, designed to be the most powerful and lightest Emira built.”

MORE: Lotus to preview future sports car designs with imminent concept

Lotus Emira.

The new V8 supercar will use an adaptation of the X Hybrid technology headed for the Eletre electric SUV, where the petrol engine can drive the wheels directly, or act as a ‘range-extender’ to keep the externally-rechargeable battery topped up.

Speculation has mounted in recent days that the car could revive the iconic Esprit badge, used on Lotus’ last V8 car, discontinued in 2004.

The British marque had previously committed to offering a fully-electric line-up by 2028, before backtracking on its plans in 2024 to add long-range hybrid technology, as demand for battery-only cars slowed.

MORE: Another brand backflips on plans to sell electric cars only

Lotus Eletre PHEV.

Under an updated strategy announced alongside the V8, Lotus will offer traditional petrol, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) platforms.

Among its electrified cars, 60 per cent of sales are aimed to be plug-in hybrid, while 40 per cent are expected to be electric. It has not announced a split between petrol-only and electrified vehicles.

Production of the Type 135 will take place in Europe, with Lotus reportedly confirming the model for the Australian market.

The post Lotus to bring back V8s with new supercar, as it parks electric expansion appeared first on Drive.

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