Lotus is bringing the Esprit back, confirming to investors that the Type 135 will arrive in 2028 as a mid-engine hybrid V8 supercar with a V6 variant planned alongside it.lotus esprit returns as 1 000 hp hybrid v8 v6 plannedSpeaking on an August 27 earnings call, CEO Feng Qingfeng laid out a car targeting more than 1,000 horsepower and a curb weight under 1.5 tons, positioning it between the Emira sports car and the electric Evija hypercar.The V6 option will draw on hardware from Horse, the Geely-Renault joint venture already developing combustion components for Lotus. Autocar has also reported the V6 joining the hybrid V8 in the revived Esprit lineup. Feng described the Type 135 as a bridge in the range, and the plan therefore marks a factory-built, clean-sheet return rather than another Esprit V8 restomod tribute.AdvertisementAdvertisementFeng was candid about the difficulty of the weight goal. "Achieving that target with an 800V architecture, a hybrid system, a V8 engine and electric motor in [the car] just is not easy," he told analysts. To recover the mass a hybrid system typically adds, however, Lotus is leaning on Formula 1-derived motor technology. Earlier this year, according to Feng, he detailed the concept in a separate interview, contrasting a typical 150-kilowatt unit that can weigh up to 209 pounds against a new design trimmed to roughly 44 pounds. As a result, that reduction reframes the electric motor from a weight penalty into part of the strategy for hitting the sub-3,307-pound target.Current plans route power through a dual-clutch gearbox built to handle significant torque without adding bulk. Lotus has not yet finalized the gear count or confirmed the production plant for the Type 135, however.lotus esprit returns as 1 000 hp hybrid v8 v6 plannedFeng framed the car's purpose in terms of the existing range. "The Type 135 will fill the gap between the Emira and Emeya, preserving the emotional connection Emira owners have with the Lotus mechanical handling, while leveraging V8 hybrid technology to approach the technical benchmark set by the Emeya," he said. On the same call, Feng confirmed both V6 and V8 variants are expected, with the V8 targeted to produce more than 1,000 horsepower while weighing around 1.5 tons.That expectation fits within Lotus's broader Focus 2030 strategy, which commits the brand to a mix of combustion, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric models rather than an EV-only future. Therefore, for anyone concerned Hethel had abandoned internal combustion entirely, the Esprit's return signals a shift back toward piston power while retaining technology developed for the Evija.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe open questions center on how weight and complexity are balanced. Whether the Type 135 reads as a natural step up from the Emira or a costly halo model will depend on how Lotus manages mass, price and on-road handling. Those figures, along with the eventual gear count and production location, remain unconfirmed. When prototypes arrive, however, they will indicate whether the car meaningfully shortens the gap between the Emira and Evija or simply fills space in the lineup.Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletterhere.