We’d all heard the rumors and Lotus has just
confirmed that it is developing its first-ever hypercar and has revealed the
first teaser image of the vehicle at the Shanghai Auto Show. The British car manufacturer
notes that the car will be its first all-new product in more than a decade and
has dubbed it ‘Type 130’. Limited details about the vehicle have been released
other than the fact that it will feature an all-electric powertrain.
The sole teaser image released of the vehicle
reveals that it will feature a very sleek exterior design. According to Car
Advice, it will be roughly the same length as the Lotus Evora but be much
wider. The teaser also shows airflow making its way across the exterior of the
Type 130, confirming that the British car manufacturer is very focused on the
aerodynamics of the vehicle.
Underpinning the Lotus Type 130 will be a bespoke
carbon fiber monocoque with electric motors driving all four wheels and a
battery pack located directly behind the passenger compartment. Williams
Advanced Engineering is the company responsible for developing the Type 130’s
powertrain and while no power details are known, the car is tipped to have at
least 1000 hp. The Type 130 will also include a number of active aerodynamic
components and incorporate cameras in place of traditional wing mirrors which
can retract into the body of the car.
A number of iconic Lotus models built throughout the
decades have featured ‘Type’ in their names, including the Type 25 Formula 1
car from 1963, the Type 78 F1 car, Type 92, and the Type 111 codename given to
the Lotus Elise. The car will be unveiled in full later this year.
