Lotus Cars, the iconic British sports car manufacturer, is accelerating into the electric vehicle (EV) era with the launch of its global headquarters for Lotus Technology in Wuhan, China. This strategic move signals a significant step in Lotus’s “Vision80” plan, setting the stage for a range of innovative, all-electric Lotus cars designed for the global market.
This groundbreaking development was marked by a ceremony in Wuhan, attended by key figures including Eric Li, Chairman of Geely Holding Group, and Feng Qingfeng, CEO of Group Lotus, alongside Li Bin, founder of NIO and an investor in Lotus Technology. The event unveiled exciting details about Lotus’s future product strategy, emphasizing its commitment to becoming a leader in intelligent electric mobility while staying true to its performance DNA.
Lotus Technology: Spearheading Innovation for Electric Lotus Cars
Lotus Technology is a newly established global division of Group Lotus, specifically created to drive innovation in crucial EV technologies. This includes advancements in battery technology, energy management systems, electric motors, intelligent driving capabilities, and smart manufacturing processes. The Wuhan headquarters, slated for completion in 2024, will serve as the nerve center for these operations. Complementing this, a state-of-the-art Lotus factory, dedicated to producing electric Lotus cars for worldwide distribution, is set to become operational later in 2022.
This strategic expansion signifies Lotus’s dedication to not just building electric vehicles, but to pioneering cutting-edge technologies that will redefine the electric driving experience. By establishing Lotus Technology, the brand is investing heavily in research and development to ensure that future Lotus cars are at the forefront of the EV revolution.
A Glimpse into the Future: New Electric Lotus Models
The announcement provided a thrilling preview of the upcoming all-electric Lotus cars. Over the next five years, Lotus plans to launch four new EV models, expanding its reach into new segments and catering to a broader customer base. This ambitious plan includes:
- 2022: Lotus Type 132 (E-Segment SUV): Marking Lotus’s entry into the popular SUV market, the Type 132 will be an E-segment vehicle, promising to blend Lotus’s renowned driving dynamics with the practicality of an SUV. This will be the first all-electric SUV from Lotus cars, a bold step into a high-demand vehicle category.
- 2023: Lotus Type 133 (E-Segment Four-Door Coupe): Following the SUV, Lotus will introduce an E-segment four-door coupe, the Type 133. This model suggests a focus on performance and style, potentially appealing to customers seeking a sporty yet practical electric vehicle.
- 2025: Lotus Type 134 (D-Segment SUV): Expanding its SUV offerings, Lotus will launch the Type 134, a D-segment SUV. This indicates a strategic move to capture a wider range of SUV customers, offering different sizes and potentially price points within the electric Lotus cars lineup.
- 2026: Lotus Type 135 (All-New Electric Sports Car): Staying true to its sports car heritage, Lotus will unveil the Type 135, an all-new electric sports car. This is perhaps the most eagerly anticipated model, as it represents the electric evolution of the classic Lotus sports car, promising thrilling performance in an emissions-free package.
These new models will join the exclusive Evija all-electric hypercar and the Emira, Lotus’s final petrol-powered sports car, both of which will continue production at Lotus’s historic Hethel facility in the UK. This dual production strategy highlights Lotus’s transition, respecting its heritage while fully embracing the electric future.
‘Track-Level Intelligent Drive’: Elevating the Driving Experience in Lotus Cars
Lotus is not just focusing on electric powertrains; they are also pioneering advancements in intelligent driving technology. The concept of “track-level intelligent drive” is a key technological goal for the next decade. This ambitious project aims to develop technology that assists drivers to achieve near-professional track performance levels.
This technology is designed to enhance both safety and driving pleasure across all environments. By integrating advanced software and hardware, Lotus aims to create a driving experience that is both exhilarating and confidence-inspiring, whether on the track or the road. This focus on intelligent drive underscores Lotus’s commitment to “For the Drivers,” ensuring that technology enhances, rather than detracts from, the pure driving experience that Lotus cars are known for.
Lotus Premium Architecture: The Foundation for Future Electric Lotus Cars
The development of these premium lifestyle electric vehicles will be based on the Lotus Premium architecture. This is one of four new vehicle platforms announced as part of Lotus’s global strategy. The Premium architecture is highly versatile, supporting wheelbases ranging from 2,889mm to 3,100mm and capable of expansion for future models. It is designed to underpin a variety of passenger vehicles, from C+ to E segments, demonstrating its adaptability for different types of Lotus cars.
This platform is engineered for high performance and efficiency, accommodating 92-120kWh batteries and compatible with advanced 800-volt high-speed EV charging systems. Vehicles built on this architecture are projected to achieve 0-100km/h acceleration in under three seconds, showcasing the performance potential of electric Lotus cars.
Vision80: A Strategic Roadmap to an Electric Future for Lotus Cars
The establishment of Lotus Technology is a crucial milestone within Lotus’s Vision80 strategic plan. This plan outlines the brand’s transformation leading up to its 80th anniversary in 2028. Vision80 is focused on global expansion and a transition towards an intelligent and electric future.
Lotus aims to redefine performance standards in the electric era, building upon its legacy of innovation and driver-focused engineering. With the backing of Geely Holding Group, Lotus is leveraging new resources in research and development, manufacturing, and supply chain management to deliver innovative and exciting driving experiences to customers worldwide. This strategic vision ensures that Lotus cars will continue to be at the forefront of automotive innovation for years to come.
Manufacturing and Global Collaboration: Powering the Electric Lotus Era
The new Lotus manufacturing plant in Wuhan will significantly expand Lotus’s production capabilities. This facility, equipped with world-leading manufacturing technologies, is designed to become a global center of excellence for producing Lotus’s premium lifestyle models. With a massive area of over 1 million m2 and substantial investment, the plant has the capacity to produce up to 150,000 vehicles annually. Notably, it features the world’s first integrated intelligent test track, using autonomous driving technology for vehicle movement within the facility.
This expansion complements Lotus’s existing UK operations in Hethel and Norwich, which will continue to focus on sports car production, including the Evija and Emira. The collaboration between Lotus Technology in China and the Lotus team in the UK is central to Group Lotus’s future strategy. The UK team will remain responsible for sports car development and global sales, while Lotus Technology in China will lead the integration of new lifestyle products, leveraging Chinese EV expertise, UK design and performance centers, and German R&D resources. This global synergy is designed to drive Lotus’s transformation into an expanded, intelligent, and electric brand.
Industry Leaders Endorse Lotus’s Electric Vision
Feng Qingfeng, CEO of Group Lotus, emphasized the significance of this development, stating, “Lotus Technology will accelerate the innovation which has always been at the heart of the business. Together the China and UK teams will empower our journey towards an expanded, intelligent and electric future…”
Matt Windle, Managing Director of Lotus Cars, highlighted the strategic importance of Lotus Technology within Vision80: “The launch of Lotus Technology is a major milestone on the road to making that a reality, while adhering to the unwavering Lotus principles of pure performance, efficiency, motorsport success and, above all, being ‘For the Drivers’.”
The investment from Li Bin, founder of NIO, further underscores the industry’s confidence in Lotus’s electric future. The potential collaboration between Lotus and NIO, both leaders in intelligent electric mobility, could create exciting opportunities for further innovation and growth in the electric vehicle sector, particularly for Lotus cars.
As the automotive industry undergoes a profound shift towards electrification, Lotus is strategically positioned to lead the charge. With its new global headquarters, ambitious EV product plan, and commitment to innovation, Lotus is poised to redefine the standards for intelligent electric vehicles, staying true to its “For The Drivers” ethos while embracing the future of mobility with electric Lotus cars.
