Lotus Type 135 EV sportscar

[Callabrator]

I’ve driven the Plaid and it may be fast but has no soul. Having a fake exhaust won’t be the same because EVs have no gears to go through.

I hear ya. My wife has a Model 3 Long Range, and while quick it's not what I'd call engaging. That said, I've read that the Taycan is quite fun to drive. If manufacturers can find a way to lower the weight, EV sports cars might not be too bad. I'm keeping an open mind.

 

[seriously]

Roughly 1:10 power to weight ratio close to 3300 lbs with the instant torque and LOW center of gravity sounds like a good time. These electrics with the battery pack floors feel oddly stable in turns. They are still way to heavy to feel nimble though.

It would be brave and fantastic for a car manufacturer to sacrifice range for weight. Lotus is the one to do it.

Have a feeling the new Tesla roadster will blow everything else out of the water performance wise though. Even Porsche.

 

[squish]

Roughly 1:10 power to weight ratio close to 3300 lbs with the instant torque and LOW center of gravity sounds like a good time. These electrics with the battery pack floors feel oddly stable in turns. They are still way to heavy to feel nimble though.

It would be brave and fantastic for a car manufacturer to sacrifice range for weight. Lotus is the one to do it.

Have a feeling the new Tesla roadster will blow everything else out of the water performance wise though. Even Porsche.

I thought I read the 135 packs the batteries back where the engine would go, like the Evija? This would give cg and handling characteristics more like an ICE car.

 

[finny76]

I wish that LOTUS would do a Hybrid BEFORE going full electric just like the rest of manufacturers are doing....

 

[Speedy Emira]

I wish that LOTUS would do a Hybrid BEFORE going full electric just like the rest of manufacturers are doing....

That would be great and even better if it could be AWD with the front wheels powered by a 200hp electric motor. Sadly it will never happen because they won’t spend the R&D money on a model they know is finishing.

 

[finny76]

That would be great and even better if it could be AWD with the front wheels powered by a 200hp electric motor. Sadly it will never happen because they won’t spend the R&D money on a model they know is finishing.

Numerous manufacturers and suppliers have extensively conducted research and development of E motors, leading to a rapid evolution of technology over the past decade. Koenigsegg apparently have the best solution.

All LOTUS need to do is drop one of these babies in:

https://www.koenigsegg.com/quark-emotor

 

[Green]

Roughly 1:10 power to weight ratio close to 3300 lbs with the instant torque and LOW center of gravity sounds like a good time. These electrics with the battery pack floors feel oddly stable in turns. They are still way to heavy to feel nimble though.

It would be brave and fantastic for a car manufacturer to sacrifice range for weight. Lotus is the one to do it.

Have a feeling the new Tesla roadster will blow everything else out of the water performance wise though. Even Porsche.

The new Tesla Roadster? The car concept has been out for 8 years. The design is 8 years old and is already outdated. Not sure it will ever be produced.

 

[FlyNavy01]

Caterham is developing a lightweight EV sports car that has the potential to be a really fun little car. It looks gorgeous to me, particularly the analog yet modern interior design. Target weight is 2600lbs and 270hp. I also think the upcoming EV Cayman/Boxster line could eventually be good (probably after the first generation).

 

[Speedy Emira]

Caterham is developing a lightweight EV sports car that has the potential to be a really fun little car. It looks gorgeous to me, particularly the analog yet modern interior design. Target weight is 2600lbs and 270hp. I also think the upcoming EV Cayman/Boxster line could eventually be good (probably after the first generation).

Doesn’t look anywhere near as nice as the Emira and a bit of a Porsche copy. No side vents and not that light for only 270hp.

 

[FlyNavy01]

Doesn’t look anywhere near as nice as the Emira and a bit of a Porsche copy. No side vents and not that light for only 270hp.

Why would an EV need side vents?? You don't seem to grasp the purpose of lightweight sports cars. Go drive a Miata or Alpine A110 and maybe you'll understand.

 

[Liquid Hot Magma]

I really love the Caterham’s digital instrument cluster emulating analog speedometer and tachometer. That’s something I wish Lotus had designed for Emira.

 

[Speedy Emira]

Why would an EV need side vents?? You don't seem to grasp the purpose of lightweight sports cars. Go drive a Miata or Alpine A110 and maybe you'll understand.

Obviously I know it doesn’t need air intakes for an IC engine although some do have air cooling for the batteries.
I’m glad you know me so well that you can say I don’t understand lightweight sports cars because you obviously know the people I know and the cars I have driven. Just my personal view that I didn’t think it looked that great and looks like a Porsche. I don’t think I’m an expert and I’m glad I joined this forum to keep learning. 😁👍🏻

 

[benjh1028]

Caterham is developing a lightweight EV sports car that has the potential to be a really fun little car. It looks gorgeous to me, particularly the analog yet modern interior design. Target weight is 2600lbs and 270hp. I also think the upcoming EV Cayman/Boxster line could eventually be good (probably after the first generation).

I think it looks stunning. A bit of Aston Martin front end and oddly a Bentley sports coupe rear arches. Absolutely love the color as well. Would order one today if it was available. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Time2Fly]

I love the C V2. If I could afford that I would totally get one.

 

[seriously]

I really love the Caterham’s digital instrument cluster emulating analog speedometer and tachometer. That’s something I wish Lotus had designed for Emira.

There are so many things to like about the emira design, but YES. That kind of cluster would have been awesome in the emira and kind of in line with the old meets new feel. However dont like the individual dials in the center stack- looks a bit kit carish or out of date. But the central tach would be great.

 

[forest]

This article is in Japanese, but for your information

New Lotus lightweight sports car to go on sale in 2027 Badge is not for decoration

- Lotus plans to launch its next-generation electric sports car in 2027.
- Target price is about 75,000 pounds (about 13.9 million yen)? At the heart of the brand.
- The special platform will reduce the weight and height of the car.

ロータス　新型軽量スポーツカー、2027年発売へ　バッジは飾りじゃない | AUTOCAR JAPAN

・ロータスは次世代の電動スポーツカーを2027年発売予定。 ・目標価格は約7万5000ポンド（約1390万円）？ ブランドの中心に。 ・専用プラットフォームで軽量化と低車高を実現。

www.autocar.jp

 

[MaybeNeedEmira]

- The special platform will reduce the weight and height of the car.

ロータス　新型軽量スポーツカー、2027年発売へ　バッジは飾りじゃない | AUTOCAR JAPAN

・ロータスは次世代の電動スポーツカーを2027年発売予定。 ・目標価格は約7万5000ポンド（約1390万円）？ ブランドの中心に。 ・専用プラットフォームで軽量化と低車高を実現。

www.autocar.jp

Makes sense on weight/height when you see where Caterham are.
Both overpriced in my mind if you can look past the badges/branding.

Just thought, so do true Yanks call them "Cater-Ham" like Noting-Ham?
I'm an import here, so just wondering.

Says he who purposely mixes with/without the "she" at Porch events.

 

[Liquid Hot Magma]

For those who are interested, Type 135 should support Apple’s Car Key functionality. Lotus has recently confirmed this feature in Emeya.

Lotus confirms 2024 Emeya has Car Key support you can control from an iPhone or Apple Watch​

https://electrek.co/2024/02/05/lotu...-key-support-control-from-iphone-apple-watch/

 

[JClem]

Drivers don’t want electric cars, Aston Martin admits

Aston Martin has delayed the launch of its first electric car as the luxury marque’s chairman admitted that drivers still want “the sports car smell, feel and noise” of a petrol engine.

finance.yahoo.com

Will Lotus follow AM in stating the obvious?

 

[PsymonR]

Drivers don’t want electric cars, Aston Martin admits

Aston Martin has delayed the launch of its first electric car as the luxury marque’s chairman admitted that drivers still want “the sports car smell, feel and noise” of a petrol engine.

finance.yahoo.com

Will Lotus follow AM in stating the obvious?

It's probably more of a case of will Geely state the obvious, Lotus probably will have to toe the party line even if internally they may share similar sentiments to AM. Additionally, with EV models already on the market Lotus are unlikely to be wanting to talk down electric.

In the UK market at least (I don't know what regulations are elsewhere), it is going to be partly about what customers want but also legislation. Manufacturers can get credits from other companies for 75% of 22% EV target in 2024 but this drops to 25% of 33% EV target in 2026 (link). Being able to buy a petrol model is going to get harder or more expensive sooner than we might like.

Which may be one of the reasons why AM is now targeting 2026 for EV introduction, they may feel they can currently offset any fines for not hitting targets at current levels but in 2026 that they will need to be making EV sales. Conversely Lotus may be less able to offset any fines (given lower price point compared to AM and the troubled roll-out of the Emira).