Lotus is preparing to revive the legendary Esprit name with a new supercar codenamed Type 135. The upcoming model was initially expected to become an electric successor to the Emira. However, Lotus has changed direction as market conditions have evolved. The new Esprit is now expected to offer a hybrid V-6 alongside a more powerful hybrid V-8.
Hybrid V-6 Could Expand The Esprit Range
According to a report from Autocar, Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng confirmed that a hybrid V-6 is being considered for the upcoming Esprit. The engine should help the company meet increasingly strict global emissions regulations while retaining the lightweight engineering philosophy associated with Lotus. It will sit below the flagship hybrid V-8 and could provide a more accessible version of the new supercar.
3.0-Litre V-6 Could Be Shared With The Emira
Lotus has not confirmed the exact specifications of the Esprit’s V-6. However, the engine is expected to be related to the hybrid powertrain planned for the updated Emira. That setup reportedly uses a turbocharged 3.0-litre V-6, an electric motor and an automatic transmission. In the Emira, the system could produce up to 536 HP and 516 LB-FT of torque.
Esprit V-8 Hybrid Could Produce Nearly 1000 HP
The more powerful Esprit variant will use a hybrid V-8 developed by Horse, a powertrain company associated with Renault and Geely. The system is expected to produce at least 986 HP, placing the Esprit close to the 1000 HP mark. The V-8 will reportedly work with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, giving Lotus a high-performance flagship capable of challenging the world’s most powerful hybrid supercars.
Lightweight Engineering Remains A Key Focus
Despite the Esprit’s high power output, Lotus intends to keep weight under control. The company says the hybrid powertrains are being developed with lightweight engineering in mind. This approach reflects Lotus founder Colin Chapman’s long-standing philosophy of reducing weight rather than relying solely on additional power. Consequently, the Esprit is expected to focus heavily on handling, agility and track performance.
Esprit Will Sit Between Emira & Evija
The Type 135 is being positioned between the Emira and the fully electric Evija within the Lotus range. The company wants the new model to preserve the mechanical driving experience associated with the Emira while incorporating more advanced hybrid technology. At the same time, the Esprit is expected to deliver performance closer to the technical benchmark established by the Evija.
Hybrid Technology Replaces The Original EV Plan
Lotus originally planned the Type 135 as an electric successor to the Emira. However, changing conditions in the electric vehicle market encouraged the company to reconsider that strategy. The revived Esprit will instead combine internal-combustion engines with electric assistance. This approach could give Lotus greater flexibility while maintaining the emotional appeal of a high-revving petrol engine.
V-6 Could Offer A More Road-Focused Character
The hybrid V-6 could give the Esprit a different character from the extreme V-8 version. With lower output and potentially lower powertrain weight, the V-6 model could focus more heavily on road driving while retaining Lotus’s handling philosophy. Meanwhile, the V-8 could serve as the performance flagship for customers seeking maximum acceleration and track capability.
Lotus Esprit Could Challenge Hybrid Supercars
With a potential 986 HP V-8 and a more accessible V-6 hybrid option, the new Esprit could enter a highly competitive segment. It will face performance cars from established European manufacturers, while its lightweight construction could provide a different approach to performance. Lotus is expected to reveal more details about the Type 135 as development progresses.
Prices In The Middle East
Lotus has not announced pricing for the new Esprit in Middle Eastern markets. Given its positioning above the Emira and below the flagship Evija, the V-6 version could carry a significantly higher price than the Emira, while the V-8 could command a substantial premium. UAE and Saudi Arabia pricing is expected to vary based on specifications, taxes, options and local dealer costs.
Lotus Esprit Launch Planned For 2028
Lotus currently plans to reveal the revived Esprit and begin production in 2028. More information about the powertrain options, chassis and performance figures should emerge before the official launch. The new Type 135 could become an important model for Lotus as the company balances electrification, emissions regulations and its traditional focus on lightweight, driver-focused sports cars.
