All-electric Porsche Taycan-rivalling four-door to get all-wheel drive and big power when it arrives next year
Lotus will launch a new all-electric super sedan in 2023 that’s being developed under the Lotus Type 133 codename to be the most driver-focused car in its class.
Set to feature a dual-motor powertrain, according to Autocar, the new Porsche Taycan rival will produce at least 440kW and adopt an ‘E’ name for the production model.
Speaking to the Brit mag, Lotus product boss Gavan Kershaw said that help it to battle it out with its more established rivals the Type 133 will bag the car-maker’s latest chassis tech, announcing the Type 133 would come with “active roll control, CDC [continuous damping control], air-sprung independent active rear steer and active aero”.
Sharing the Eletre’s all-aluminium Electric Premium Architecture, the Type 133 is tipped to be the lightest in its class – although that doesn’t say much since the least portly Taycan still tips the scales at more than 2.1-tonnes. Despite being launched with the Eletre’s powerful 440kW dual-motor set-up to help it directly battle it out with the Porsche Taycan GTS, Lotus will roll out both less-powerful and faster, mightier versions, including a hard-core addition that is expected to produce Tesla Model S Plaid levels of power.
If so, expect the Lotus Type 133 to feature at least three motors and produce around 800kW. With a weight advantage, that could see it launch from 0-100km/h in less than 2.0 seconds and top out at more than 330km/h. Set to be the second Lotus to be built in China at the car-maker’s new Wuhan plant alongside the Eletre, the Type 133 sedan will look more than just a lower take on an Electre SUV in the styling department. According to the VP of design, Peter Horbury, “every member of a family can have their own character” suggesting unique looks for the sedan, although the senior Lotus exec did add that “there has to be some continuity and family identity” suggesting some design cues will be carried over from SUV to sedan.
Following the introduction of Type 133, another smaller Type 134 SUV will arrive in 2024 that’s being developed to rival the upcoming battery-electric Porsche Macan.
In 2026, an all-electric sports car will be introduced that is currently being developed with French Renault-owned Alpine that will replace the existing A110.
Keyword: Fresh details on Lotus Type 133 super sedan