Lotus is on a roll thanks to new models such as the Emira and Evija, and the company is hoping that trend will continue with the launch of their first SUV. Tentatively dubbed the Type 132, the model will be an E-segment electric crossover that will be introduced next year.
The company hasn’t said much about the
vehicle, but they released a short teaser video that provides a glimpse at its
active grille shutter. While there isn’t
much to see besides triangular accents, the clip also shows an aggressive
bumper and a carbon fiber front splitter. Lotus was tight-lipped about the
model, but noted the active grille shutter is an “authentic Lotus air
management solution with a dual purpose – for cooling and for enhanced frontal
aerodynamics.”
That’s not much to go on, but the Type 132
will spearhead a major product push that will also see the company introduce a
Type 133 E-segment four-door coupe in 2023.
They will be followed by a Type 134 D-segment SUV in 2025 and a Type 135
electric sports car in 2026.
The so-called “premium lifestyle vehicles”
will be based on Lotus’ Premium architecture that supports C- to E-segment
vehicles with wheelbases spanning between 2,889 to 3,100
mm). The upcoming EVs are slated to use 92-120 kWh battery packs and feature
800-volt technology to minimize charging times. The automaker has also said
some of the vehicles based on the platform will be able to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in less than three seconds.
