Lotus Type 131 to usher in new sports car era and V6 hybrid

Lotus has given a glimpse of its electrified future by confirming it will soon reveal an all-new sports car currently known internally as the Type 131.

While the image above shows the soon-to-go-on-sale Evija all-electric hypercar, three cars alongside it draped in cloth give a clue to the future of the British sports car brand.

They will replace the Elise, Exige and Evora, with the Type 131 expected to step in for the latter of that trio.

Now owned by Chinese car making giant Geely – which also owns Volvo and its soon-to-arrive electric brand Polestar – Lotus has big plans for electric motors and the Type 131 looks set to kick things off.

For now Lotus is saying very little about the makeup of the Type 131, except to say it will come out of a factory in Hethel, Norfolk and that the image above “hints at the new generation of products that will follow Elise, Exige and Evora”.

But British media is reporting that the Type 131 will use a V6 engine with an in-house developed hybrid system.

Logically it makes sense for the engine to be sourced from within the Geely family, rather than using Toyota engines as Lotus has done for years now.

The Type 131 will go on sale later in 2021.

“This year will be hugely significant for Lotus with new facilities coming on stream, a new sports car entering production and new levels of efficiency and quality that only a new car design and factory can deliver,” said Lotus Cars CEO Phil Popham.

“Despite the continuing global challenges, Lotus has emerged from 2020 strong and on track in the delivery of our Vision80 business plan.”

 “As our Vision80 strategy illustrates, Lotus is all about looking forward, and our future is full of continuous innovation. In 2021, however, we will be reflecting on the legacy of our current range, starting with the Elise, a sports car that genuinely revolutionised the automotive industry, not only because it is a legend-in-its-own-lifetime but also for its impact on car design and technology.”

The only clue to utlising modern technology that could include electric motors was from Lotus’ executive director of engineering, Matt Windle.

“Members of our team, old and new, are now busy blending the learnings of the past with the innovations of today and tomorrow, to ensure our future cars truly move the game on but remain firmly committed to Lotus values.”

Lotus has said it wants to offer an electric version of most new models over the next decade, although early reports suggest the Type 131 will still rely heavily on a petrol engine.

Lotus recently confirmed one of its new arrivals will be an EV sports car jointly developed with lightweight sports car rival Alpine.

And Lotus is also working on the very low volume Evija multi-million-dollar hypercar.