Lotus Type 133 (2023). The anti-Taycan electric sedan is getting ready

Lotus is preparing the Type 133 electric “four-door coupé”.

Lotus is putting the finishing touches to the electric sedan codenamed Type 133. Expected for 2023, this “four-door coupe” will take over the technical basis of the Eletre SUV and will compete with the Porsche Taycan.

The Chinese group Geely acquired Lotus in 2017, and very gradually took control of operations since. The transition, symbolized by the electric hypercar Evija, first went through a change of management, a new visual identity and the launch of the Emira, the brand’s ultimate thermal model. Geely has just passed the second by presenting the Lotus Eletre, a large “zero emission” SUV which will be produced in China. The next model in this offensive will be a battery-powered sedan codenamed Type 133.

electric lotus teaser — Evija and Eletre are just the first models in an electric Lotus range.

The Eletre paves the way for the Type 133

Announced as a “four-door coupe” for the E segment, the Type 133 will take up the modular architecture of the Eletre. This can accommodate wheelbases between 2.89 m and 3.10 m, and accommodate batteries offering between 92 and 120 kWh of capacity., enough to offer around 600 km of WLTP autonomy. According to Gavan Kershaw, head of vehicle dynamics development at Lotus, the Eletre tests served to ” establish platform benchmarks as well as designing the vehicle itself. The sedan should also share with the SUV certain systems such as active aerodynamic elements, air suspension and four-wheel steering. ” Our type of car, whose behavior must match the pace, requires all this technology “says the engineer. We are therefore far from the minimalism claimed by the late Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus.

Lotus Eletre gray — The Type 133 will take up the style of the Eletre.

TO READ. Lotus. Two SUVs, a sedan and a Chinese factory announced

An English rival for the Porsche Taycan

The Eletre draws “more than” 600 hp from its two engines offering all-wheel drive. This power should also be the “starting point” on board the Type 133 according to Matt Windle, Lotus’ managing director. The four-door should thus compete with the Porsche Taycan GTS.

The Porsche Taycan GTS will be the designated rival of the Lotus Type 133.

Style side, the relationship with the Eletre looks obvious but Lotus could avoid the policy of Russian dolls. The “teaser” images of future models indeed announce a two-level front light signature for low models, against only one for SUVs. Peter Horbury, Lotus Vice President Design, said: There must be a certain continuity and a family resemblance. ButFamilies are not made entirely of triplets or quadruplets. Each member can have their own personality “. The styling of the Type 133 is about to be finalized. The market launch of the car is scheduled for 2023.