Following the confirmation of Lotus’ first all-new model in over a decade in April at the Shanghai International Auto Show, the all-electric Type 130 will now be revealed on 16 July to the world’s media at an exclusive event in Central London. Just 130 examples will be available to own, the number representing all the Lotus ‘Types’ that have been introduced over the company’s 71-year history. Among them are such notable models like the Type 88, which was the world’s first ground effects Formula 1 car, and the Type 72, the most successful F1 car of all time.
This new model promises to be the most dynamically accomplished road-going vehicle in the company’s history, which should make it quite some sports car considering its back catalog of dynamically game-changing models. A bit of good news for an ailing British auto industry is that the Type 130 will be built at Hethel in Norfolk, the brand’s headquarters since 1966. When it does go into production it will also be the very first all-electric hypercar from a British manufacturer.
CEO Phil Popham said: “Type 130 will be the most dynamically accomplished Lotus in our history. It marks a turning point for our brand and is a showcase of what we are capable of and what is to come from Lotus.” For now, we have just two images to go on, which give very little away, although rumors suggest that the Type 130 will weigh close to 2000 pounds and produce in excess of 1000hp.
That should place the new Lotus firmly in the hypercar category, but we will have to wait until July for the full details. There has already been a lot of interest from potential customers, a good sign that all 130 examples will easily find willing buyers and customer deliveries are set to commence in 2020.
Images courtesy of Lotus
