All Future Lotus Models to Get EV Variant

Group Lotus plc, which unveiled its first all-electric model this week, plans to offer electric variants of all future vehicles.

The EV rollout will start after the launch of a new traditionally powered sports car next year, Lotus CEO Phil Popham tells Autocar. He is coy about whether Lotus’ electrification strategy will include hybrid powertrains or simply offer a choice of piston or all-electric systems.

The upcoming Evija electric hypercar (pictured) promises to be the industry’s most powerful production model ever. Lotus says the vehicle’s four electric motors will make a combined 1,970 hp and 1,250 lb-ft of torque. Sales of the $2 million-plus model will start next year.

The new piston-powered sports car, also due next year, will feature a Toyota-sourced engine and ride on a modified version of an existing Lotus platform. The unnamed car will precede an all-new platform that will carry the U.K.-based company’s next-generation Elise, Evora and Exige cars.

Lotus also is developing a crossover vehicle that will be built at a factory being constructed in Wuhan, China, by Lotus parent Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.