Lotus Type 132 electric SUV to enter production this year [Update]

Update: ‘Exterior’ section updated with the latest teaser.

The first Lotus SUV will be all-electric and arrive later this year. The company says it will be an E-segment SUV (executive SUV) and suggests that a coupe version will follow in 2023. Internally, the first Lotus SUV goes by ‘Lotus Type 132.’ Some media reports claim that its final name will be ‘Lotus Lambda.’

Strict weight targets

A report from Autocar in 2020 shared the initial details about the car. The Lotus electric SUV would have the lightest body in its class, Peter Horbury, the former Executive Vice President of Design at Geely Auto Group, had suggested in 2017. Geely Auto Group, a Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Company, holds a majority stake in Lotus since 2017. To achieve the exceptionally low weight targets, Lotus is putting extra effort into material usage. The Tesla Model X Performance weighs 5,741 lbs. or 2.6 tonnes (2,604 kg), and the Chinese-owned British brand could be targeting a figure closer to 4,409 lbs. or 2 tonnes.

New Platform

Lotus says that its EVs will be based on a new ‘Premium Architecture’ that was announced in April 2021. This platform supports C+ to E segment EVs having a wheelbase of 2,889-3,100 mm. The Chinese media is reporting that the platform is related to the Geely SEA open-source architecture that is underpinning the Zeekr 001, Smart #1, and the upcoming Volvo urban SUV.

Exterior

Overview

A teaser gives a preview of the Lotus Type 132’s headlamp design. Image Source: Lotus

Lotus Tech Creative Centre Limited (LTCC), the renamed Geely design studio in Warwickshire, UK, is leading the design work of the Lotus Type 132. The Warwickshire-based Lotus design team is responsible for the brand’s all-electric lifestyle cars. It is safe to assume that LTCC will work on the design of the Type 133 (four-door coupe), Type 134 (mid-size SUV), and Type 135 (electric sports car), too.

Before the LTCC announcement, Matt Windle, MD of Group Lotus, has confirmed to Autocar UK that the Lotus Type 132 will sport a British design. Windle said that designing and some of the early development and the attribute setting took place in the United Kingdom. The remaining development could take place in China. Windle suggested that the Chinese-made lifestyle Lotus models should be just as good as the brand’s UK-built sports cars. We have covered more details about the Chinese production of the Type 132 SUV in the manufacturing section.

Low-slung & sporty

TopElectricSUV’s rendering shows the expected design of the Lotus Type 132, constructed with inspiration from leaked drawings (via IP Australia/Lotus).

Drawings from IP filings preview the exterior design of Lotus Type 132 from every angle. The low-slung, sleek SUV sports sculpted surfaces that will no doubt improve its aerodynamics. The overall design is quite dramatic, and we mean it in a good way! Indicated by the overhangs and ground clearance, it will be an electric SUV for the road.

If not for the split headlamps, the front-end looks almost like a sports car, featuring a low and short hood with aero work, a large lower air intake, and a muscular bumper. On the sides, the electric SUV sports strong shoulders and a sleek greenhouse. It has camera-based virtual mirrors with advantages like reduced vehicle width, drag, and wind noise. The door handles will also help, embedded flush into the doors, contributing to the sophisticated styling. It looks like Lotus has used larger rear wheels for extra grip and stability.

The Lotus Type 132 will be a sporty low-slung electric SUV. Image Source: IP Australia/Lotus

At the rear, the Type 132 flaunts an extremely raked windscreen, a concave surface, a slim full-width tail light, a split rear spoiler, and a hexagonal license plate area. Up top, it looks like there are two LiDAR modules, one at the front and one at the rear.

19-inch wheels & frameless windows

Weibo user Ductile Iron BX has posted spy shots of the Lotus Type 132 testing in China. The heavily camouflaged SUV appears stretched out, similar to the Zeekr 001. We also see 19-inch blacked-out alloys on the test mules. Frameless windows are also seen and the Type 132 is likely to have a quarter glass at the rear given the large area behind the B-pillar which has been camouflaged.

Active grille shutters

The Lotus Type 132 SUV will stand out in its class with a sporty and performance-focused design. Image Source: Lotus

The Lotus Type 132 SUV will feature active grille shutters for enhanced aerodynamic efficiency. The shutters will close off the grille when not necessary to reduce air resistance. The grille features hexagons made up of triangles that appear to close and open as required. Given that the Type 132 would be a pure electric vehicle, expect its grille to remain closed at most times during normal driving. You can watch the dual-function grille in action in the video below:

Video Source: YouTube/Lotus Cars

Light signature

Another design highlight at the front will likely be a shark-like nose (view teaser on cochespias.net) that reflects the strength and aggressiveness of the SUV. Also worth noting are the slim L-shaped headlamps, a common design feature of the new Lotus family of electric cars.

At the rear, the Lotus 132 will feature a full-width tail light that underlines the wide stance of the SUV. and an active spoiler that automatically elevates when needed and lowers to its resting position afterward. The teaser video below gives a glimpse of this active aerodynamics feature:

Video Source: YouTube/Lotus Cars

Lotus released a new design sketch of the upcoming Type 132 SUV on March 22, 2022. In the teaser, Clive Chapman, the MD of Classic Team Lotus, reminisces how his father, Colin Chapman, the founder of Lotus, admired 4x4s and practical cars. Chapman says, “The design has come with a lot of features that would tick dad’s box.” The teaser ends with the sketch of the Type 132 SUV, revealing a smoothly flowing roofline, a sharply raked rear windshield, and cameras in place of outside rearview mirrors.

Lotus founder Colin Chapman loved racing cars, but he always had a practical car for regular use, says his son Clive Chapman, hinting that the Type 132 will score high on practicality. Image: Lotus

Interior

The Lotus Type 132 will feature a contemporary and eco-friendly interior, leaked patent images (view on Motor1) and officially released teasers have revealed. The patent images have shown the upcoming electric SUV will have a low-profile dashboard with a slim and flattish upper section and a traditionally curved lower section. The driver-side upper section will house an ultra-compact instrument cluster, and this will be right below a thin light band in signature Lotus green. The latter will likely be a part of the ambient lighting.

A gigantic Tesla Model Y-style horizontal touchscreen will dominate the center of the dashboard. It will likely allow controlling all the comfort, convenience, and entertainment, functions of the EV. A passenger display won’t be available in the Type 132. The floor console will likely house a wireless smartphone charger, a large storage box, two cup holders, a few vehicle control switchgear, and an open storage space.

A spy picture had already partially exposed the interior before the interior patent images leaked. This image had shown features like compact three-spoke steering with a flattened bottom, the hexagonal digital instrument cluster, the large, tilted central display in landscape orientation, and the floor console. You can view the image on d1ev.com.

The best seat in the house of the Lotus Type 132 would be the one behind the wheel. Image: Lotus

The top section of the compact three-spoke steering wheel will be flat, giving the driver a more sporty feeling. The paddle shifters behind the steering wheel will likely allow adjusting the degree of brake energy regeneration.

Groundbreaking features for a Lotus

Lotus understands that Chinese customers are more into tech than typical Lotus buyers in other markets, and it’s developing the interior that meet those expectations. Techies will be able to immerse themselves in the tech while driving enthusiasts would be able to stay completely focused on the core essentials.

LiDAR

The Lotus Type 132 will feature a LiDAR sensor that aids various driver-assist functions and enhances the EV’s active safety capabilities. The high-end electric SUV could have LiDAR as standard, just like the Volvo Recharge Concept-derived upcoming rival (could be the Volvo Embla) with Luminar’s technology.

5G enabled

According to a report from British magazine CAR, 5G connectivity will be standard in the Type 132, enabling ultra-fast OTA updates. Lotus would typically expect customers to be driving enthusiasts, but with this SUV, it is a new world. Chinese SUV customers want to relax in their car and love the futuristic autonomous driving tech, and most high-end brands into electric SUVs are responding to that need. Lotus, too, would offer autonomous driving functions, and 5G connectivity is crucial to the proper functioning of V2X (vehicle-to-everything) communications and precision positioning.

Variants & Performance

A report from CAR suggests that the Lotus Type 132 would be a dramatically designed SUV influenced by the Lotus Evija. Pictured is the 2024 Lotus Type 134 teaser. Image: Lotus

800-volt architecture

Lotus EVs will be capable of accelerating from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in under three seconds. They will come with 92-120 kWh battery packs operating at 800 volts, to offer long-range and ultra-fast-charging. According to the Autocar report, Lotus plans to offer its first electric SUV in two variants. The base variant would have two electric motors generating close to 600 hp. The top-end variant’s motors would produce up to 750 hp, and their torque output would also be higher. Lotus is targeting a range of 360 miles.

Video Source: YouTube/Lotus Cars

The Lotus Type 132 will have a double-wishbone suspension at both ends, as per the report from CAR. Brake-based torque vectoring and air suspension will be standard features. Active anti-roll control, carbon-ceramic brakes, and rear-wheel steering would be available optionally at launch, and active torque vectoring could become available later, suggests the report. Novice drivers will be able to unleash their Type 132’s capability with the help of an assist called ‘track-level intelligent drive.’

Competitors

Highly focused on performance, Lotus won’t pitch the Type 132 as a direct rival to any existing electric SUV. “We will not benchmark any competitors,” Lotus Technology CMO Qingyan told Autohome in an interview at the 2021 Guangzhou Auto Show. He said that the upcoming electric SUV won’t have many competitors, and the company will position it as a higher model (compared to the few competitors that exist). It will be a driver’s car, unlike typical made-for-China models that focus on the rear-seat passengers.

Given its positioning, the Lotus 132 will appeal to the customers of the Tesla Model X, BMW iX, and Mercedes EQE SUV. As Lotus is a performance brand, the main targets should be potential Model X Plaid, EQE-AMG SUV, and the iX M60. Interested customers can register their interest online on the Lotus Cars website.

Qingyan suggested that the company will need to make a lot of marketing efforts ahead of the EV blitz. In main overseas markets like the EU countries, the UK, and China, it will likely need to construct new company-owned showrooms and an online ordering system, launch new brand campaigns, and prepare for a higher level of after-sales service needs or standards.

With three SUV models in the pipeline, all in segments with specifications that would strike the chord with American car buyers, the timing looks right for Lotus to enter the U.S. market. Only time will tell if that happens.

Production & Release Date

The Lotus Type 132 will celebrate its world premiere on March 29, 2022. Image: Autohome

D-Day on March 29, 2022

The Lotus Type 132 will celebrate its world premiere on March 29, 2022. Well ahead of the Type 132 launch, Lotus has introduced Lotus Drive, its e-commerce platform, on lotuscars.com. Customers can configure and order their desired Lotus model directly from it through Lotus Drive. Customers can take their car delivery traditionally at a retail agent or choose a home delivery option. Moreover, they can opt for delivery at Lotus’ newly upgraded Hethel production facility in Norfolk. Lotus Drive is only available in the UK at the moment, but the brand may roll it out in other markets before the launch of the Type 132 electric SUV.

To be made in Wuhan, China

According to a report from Financial Associated Press, Lotus will manufacture the EV at its new factory in Wuhan, China, starting in the fourth quarter (October-December 2022). CarNewsChina also reported on February 17, 2022, that production trials of the Lotus SUV would begin in the fourth quarter of 2022 in Hannan District of Wuhan city. Customer deliveries could begin around the new year.

Thanks to Chinese production and sourcing, prices should be more attractive than that of global rivals. Lotus is locating its new global headquarters in Wuhan and held a breaking-ground ceremony in August 2021. It plans to open the new Lotus factory to manufacture Lotus EVs for global markets shortly, and the new Lotus Technology headquarters in 2024.

The production of the Elise, Evora, and Exige has concluded. The Emira will be the last petrol-powered Lotus car. Image Source: Lotus

As Lotus prepares for the transition to EVs, it’s drawing the curtain on its gasoline-powered models. The company has ended production of the Elise (1996-2021), Evora (2009-2021), and Exige (2000-2021). It manufactured 51,738 units of the 3Es over the course of 26 years – 35,124 Elises, 10,497 Exiges, and 6,117 Evoras. That’s almost half the total cars it has produced in its 73-year history. These cars sat on the same platform which Tesla borrowed for its original Roadster (2,515 units made from 2007 to 2012).

The Lotus Emira unveiled in July 2021 will enter production this spring as the brand’s last petrol-powered model. From there on, it’s a zero-emission future for the British automotive brand.

Peter Horbury joins Group Lotus

Peter Horbury, Executive Vice President of Design, Geely, last year joined Group Lotus as its Senior Vice President of Design. At Geely, Horbury oversaw the development of two brands: Geely Auto and Lynk & Co. Prior to that, he was Volvo Cars’ design chief and turned the Swedish brand’s boxy cars into sleek and desirable models. At Group Lotus, the veteran designer will likely shape all-electric Lotus models, including the Lotus SUVs, in the years to come.

Lotus Technology IPO

A Lotus Technology IPO is under consideration, and roadshows to understand investor interest for the same are underway, as per Autocar. As per the British publication, Lotus Cars has notified investors that it plans to increase annual sales to 100,000 vehicles by 2028, and 90,000 would be electric SUVs and electric sedans made by Lotus Technology. The Lotus Technology IPO could take place within two years, but a decision regarding the location (stock exchange) is still pending. The Chinese investor community has signaled a “strong” yes to the move, a company spokesman said.

Lotus SUV FAQs

What is the Lotus Type 132 release date?

Lotus will unveil the Type 132 on March 29, and put it on sale later this year. Production is expected to commence in Q4 2021.

Will Lotus launch its new electric SUVs in the U.S.?

Lotus has not announced its U.S. entry, but it is too big a market for EVs for the company not to consider.

What will be the Lotus 132 range?

The Lotus electric SUV will likely travel up to 360 miles on a full charge.

Featured Image Source: Lotus

Keyword: Lotus Type 132 electric SUV to enter production this year [Update]