SUV AND SPORTS CAR COMING TOO
The Lotus hypercar will soon be joined by two other all-new models – an SUV and a replacement for the Evora – in a threepronged line-up.
To that end, Autocar has learned of two more active project names at Hethel: Gamma, for the first new Lotus SUV, and Ypsilon, which is the replacement for the Evora.
Lotus has long talked about making an SUV, and the Gamma project is likely to make use of Volvo’s engineering and technology, including its internal combustion engines, and plug-in hybrid and electric drivetrains, all of which hold appeal to Lotus.
An all-electric SUV, should Lotus go that way, would benefit from the halo effect of the Lotus hypercar. Multiple SUVS are planned in the long term, although initially just one model is in development and due for launch early in the next decade.
As well as sourcing drivetrains from Volvo, Lotus is also likely to borrow infotainment and electrical systems from the Swedish giant, in addition to much componentry a buyer wouldn’t interact with. Lotus has never been able to enjoy such benefits and economies of scale before.
There’s no word on whether a new Lotus SUV would launch before a new sports car, but the first newera Lotus sports car is set to be an Evora replacement, codenamed Ypsilon.
The Evora is currently on a different platform to the Elise and Exige, yet it is understood they will all be brought onto one shared architecture for their next generations. The fact that the Evora has been given a codename and is in development first suggests it will be the maiden new Lotus sports cars to launch.
Such an architecture is likely to have a bandwidth that will also allow Lotus to create a supercar replacement for the Esprit. Once expected to be the first new-era Lotus, this supercar is understood to be further down the priority list, now the hypercar has emerged.
Lotus is also expected to turn to Volvo for powertrains to use in its sports car range. It currently sources its fourcylinder and V6 engines from Toyota in a longstanding agreement. Volvo doesn’t produce an engine greater than four cylinders, however, meaning electrification is likely to fill any performance deficit in the Exige and Evora. Meanwhile, an externally sourced V8 would be one option for a new Esprit.