NZ Autocar
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Electric
  • Commercial
  • Industry
  • Bikes
  • Classics
  • Motorsport
  • Prices
    • New Car Prices
    • New Bike Prices
  • Subscribe
    • Print
    • Digital
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Advertise
NZ Autocar
No Result
View All Result
Home Electric

Lotus bringing electric sedan to challenge Porsche Taycan and Audi RS e-Tron

Words: Zane Shackleton

by Zane Shackleton
April 19, 2022
Lotus bringing electric sedan to challenge Porsche Taycan and Audi RS e-Tron

A fortnight ago, Lotus surprised absolutely no one and unveiled their first SUV. It’s called the Eletre, it’s electric and not the ugliest Remuera Tractor on the market.

Now, Lotus is keeping the electricity running through its veins and is readying to launch its four-door Taycan beater.

Lotus’ new electric sedan will join the Eletre as a Chinese-built EV. However, this time the focus is on performance over practicality.

It’s currently nicknamed the Type 133 (don’t worry, it’ll change later), and Lotus says it is their rival to the Porsche Taycan and Audi RS e-Tron GT. They don’t mention Tesla, but no doubt they’re in the equation somewhere.

The Type 133 will borrow the EV platform established by its Eletre big brother. Gavan Kershaw of Lotus described the Eletre as “the benchmark” for Lotus EVs.

The Eletre

What that means is pretty cloudy, but it likely suggests the Type 133 sedan will be driven by something similar to the 440kW twin-motor setup found on the Eletre. That powertrain will make the Type 133 just as powerful as the Taycan GTS.

And we know how popular the Taycan is. Porsche sold more of those than they did 911s last year, so Lotus making their own mark on the EV sports sedan market is a no-brainer.

On top of that, Lotus says the twin-motor Eletre powertrain is “just the start.” The brand will then look to develop the platform into something more performance-oriented.

As for what the Type 133 will look like, all we know is it won’t resemble a sleeker-looking Eletre.

“Families aren’t made up entirely of triplets or quadruplets. Every member of a family can have their own character,” Lotus senior vice-president of design Peter Horbury tells UK Autocar.

Essentially, that’s a long-winded way of saying: “It’ll look different but also kinda the same.”

Lotus expects to have the Type 133 renamed and ready for launch by 2023.

Share
Previous Post

Toyota finally adding manual transmission to Supra

Next Post

Genesis gives us a look into their EV future with striking concept

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NZ Autocar is New Zealand’s leading automotive magazine. Delivering news reviews from the automotive world, including commentary from leading automotive writers and covers the scope of motoring including new cars, classic cars, EVs and motorbikes.

Our team

Publisher: Mark Petch
General Manager: Gavin Shaw
Editor: Kyle Cassidy
Senior Editor: Peter Louisson
News Editor: Zane Shackleton
Art Director: Alex Schultz
Photographer: Tom Gasnier

To Subscribe

nzautocar.subscription.co.nz

Contact Us

Advertising:
Gavin Shaw
gavin@autocar.co.nz
.
Editorial:
Kyle Cassidy
kyle@autocar.co.nz
.
NZ Autocar
PO Box 44 304
Point Chevalier
Auckland 1246
New Zealand

Categories

  • Bikes
  • Classics
  • Commercial
  • Electric
  • Industry
  • Motorsport
  • News
  • Reviews
  • YouTube

Useful Links

Home
News
Motorsport
New Car Prices
New Bike Prices
Subscriptions
Competitions
Contact Us
Advertising
Terms and Conditions

© 2021 AUTOCAR 2016 LIMITED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Electric
  • Commercial
  • Industry
  • Bikes
  • Classics
  • Motorsport
  • Prices
    • New Car Prices
    • New Bike Prices
  • Subscribe
    • Print
    • Digital
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Advertise

© 2021 AUTOCAR 2016 LIMITED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.