How times have changed.
Lotus will launch its last combustion engine car in 2021 with the zero-emissions Evija at its forefront. The ICE will be dropped from every new model after the Esprit’s spiritual successor, according to many.
The Evija and the other sports cars coming later in the decade won’t be the most valuable money-maker. The SUV will be the marque’s cash cow. A new report by Autocar reveals more about the Lotus high-riding vehicle. Initial reports suggested that the hybrid powertrain would be adopted by the “Lambda”, as it is internally called. However, the vehicle will likely ditch the combustion engine entirely.
The “simplify, then increase lightness” philosophy of Colin Chapman will need to be applied to the SUV recipe. Lotus is believed to have set a target curb weight of less than 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs). This is a lot less than the 1,256kg (2,769 lbs), curb weight of the Evora GT410 Sports. But that’s to be expected when you factory with those heavy batteries.
The Lambda SUV will be based on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture, which was adapted by Lotus engineers to reduce weight. The model will be equipped with a dual motor setup that produces 600 horsepower in the base version and 750 horsepower in the range-topping trim.
Autocar states that the battery pack, unspecified, will provide enough power for approximately 360 miles (580 km), but the development team has the “ambition” to go further. This number is likely to be based on the WLTP cycle which would mean a shorter range according to the EPA’s measurements.
Although the world reveal is expected to occur sometime in 2022 it is likely that sales will not begin until 2023. Production could technically be held at Hethel’s Norfolk factory, but that location will be reserved for sports cars.
According to reports, the first Lotus SUV will be built at a Wuhan plant where Geely can produce 150,000 units annually of Chinese-market vehicles. If there is strong demand, a portion of the factory will be dedicated for Lotus on stilts. Other Geely factories around world may do the same.
Check out the 2023 Lotus SUV, and all the other new cars that are coming soon in our list future cars 2021-2025.