Lotus has just presented the first details of the platform that will serve as the basis for its family of electric models, called HE TAKES , which is 37% lighter than the new Emira.
Just three weeks ago, Lotus announced the main outlines of its electric offensive for the coming years and confirmed the launch of four 100% electric models by 2026.
Now, it was the turn of the British brand to reveal the architecture that will be at the base of the sports cars that will be part of this offensive based exclusively on electronics.
LEVA (Lightweight Electric Vehicle Architecture) is fully adaptable and, as such, will allow to serve a range of electric vehicles with different designs and with different wheelbases, as well as different battery sizes.
And speaking of batteries, this Lotus offensive will be based on two different types of configurations, with 8 and 12 modules and with, respectively, 66.4 kWh and 99.6 kWh, and also with different provisions.
There will be at least one proposal — for four places — with the battery placed under the floor of the passenger compartment. However, a type of solution will also be available that will mount the batteries (vertically) behind the front seats, a configuration that is intended for sport models that want to be very low and with a lower center of gravity.
For now, the manufacturer based in Hethel, UK, has confirmed three different configurations:
- 2 places, minimum 2470 mm between axles, 66.4 kWh battery (8 modules), an electric motor and 350 kW (476 hp);
- 2 places, more than 2650 mm between axles, 99.6 kWh battery (12 modules), two electric motors and 650 kW (884 hp);
- 4 seats (2+2), more than 2650 mm between axles, 66.4 kWh battery (8 modules) and an electric motor with 350 kW (476 hp) or two electric motors with 650 kW (884 hp).
Everything indicates that the four-seat model based on this platform will be the successor to the Evora, which recently left the scene to make way for the Emira.
The recently announced two electric SUVs and four-door coupé, on the other hand, will not resort to this new platform, nor will they be built in Hethel. Their orientation will be distinct — more versatile in use and aimed at a wider audience — they will be based on architecture supplied by Geely, and they will be manufactured in China.
The other two models, both two-seater and sporty, will most likely be the natural successors of the Elise and Exige, one of which, known by the Type 135 internal code, will be developed in stockings with Alpine, under shaped like a successor to the A110.
For now, it is only known that the long-awaited Type 135 sports car will only start being produced in 2026, in Hethel, UK, where Lotus will also produce the Emira and Evija, the first 100% electric Lotus.