New Lotus Supercar Could Revive The Esprit

Lotus is preparing to enter a completely new chapter, and this upcoming supercar could become one of the brand’s most important vehicles in decades. The company has officially confirmed development of a new model currently known as the “Type 135,” and early details suggest this machine is aiming directly at the world’s top exotic performance cars. Unlike the fully electric Evija hypercar, this new project will combine a powerful twin turbocharged V8 engine with hybrid technology, creating a setup expected to deliver more than 1,000 horsepower.

That alone is enough to grab attention, but what makes the story even more interesting is Lotus moving away from its previous all electric future plan. Just a few years ago, the company intended to become a fully electric brand by 2028. Now, Lotus appears to be recognizing that high performance enthusiasts still want the sound, emotion, and character of a combustion engine, especially in a flagship supercar.

The biggest mystery surrounding the Type 135 is the engine itself. Lotus has not officially confirmed where the V8 will come from, but many signs point toward Mercedes AMG once again. The Emira already uses the impressive AMG sourced M139 2.0 liter turbocharged 4 cylinder engine, and reports suggest AMG is preparing an updated twin turbocharged 4.0 liter V8 for future high performance vehicles. That engine could become the heart of this upcoming Lotus supercar.

Lotus says the Type 135 will sit above the Emira in the lineup and promises it will be a completely new car rather than an upgraded version of the current sports car. Early teaser images hint at dramatic styling inspired by the futuristic Theory 1 concept first shown in 2024. Sharp lighting elements, aggressive aerodynamics, and a low exotic stance all appear to be part of the package.

There is also growing speculation that Lotus could revive the legendary Esprit nameplate for this vehicle. Considering the company’s history, that would make a lot of sense. The Esprit remains one of the most iconic Lotus models ever created, and bringing the name back for a hybrid V8 supercar could generate huge excitement among enthusiasts.

The Type 135 is also tied to Lotus’ broader “Focus 2030” business strategy. As part of that plan, the company is preparing an updated Emira that will arrive very soon with additional power and weight reduction upgrades. Lotus says it wants the next Emira to become the lightest and most powerful version yet, which shows the brand is still focused on driver engagement even as the automotive industry rapidly changes.

For now, Lotus is keeping many details secret, but one thing is becoming clear. The company is not walking away from performance emotion. Instead, it looks like Lotus wants to blend traditional supercar excitement with modern hybrid technology, and if the final product delivers on these early promises, the Type 135 could become one of the most talked about performance cars of the decade.