Lotus’ upcoming Type 133 electric sedan has been spied once again, this time testing as an almost production-ready prototype.
There is a clear design continuity between the Eletre SUV and the sedan, although naturally the Type 133 is even more sleek and aerodynamic in appearance.
The stacked headlights are completely exposed this time, revealing a low-sitting horizontal headlight cluster sitting below two L-shaped light strips following the shape of the bonnet.
A narrow air intake sits at the bottom of an angular front fascia.
The small square tail lights appear to be placeholder items.
Small horizontal cutouts below the integrated rear spoiler also suggest a full-width lightbar, like that of the Eletre.
Also like the Eletre, small cameras will replace exterior rear-view mirrors.
Previous spy images have given us a look at the Type 133’s interior, albeit largely covered in camouflage. However, we can expect a 15.1-inch OLED centre screen running Lotus Hyper OS.
The model will get “active roll control, CDC [continuous damping control], independent active rear steer and active aero”, according to Lotus director of attributes and product integrity Gavan Kershaw.
Managing director Matt Windle confirmed that 441kW of power, like the launch-spec Eletre, is “where we’re starting at” with more to come.
It’s expected the Type 133 will also be produced in higher-performance variations, following the Eletre SUV which also has the Eletre S and Eletre R variants.
The top Eletre R uses a dual-motor configuration to produce 675kW of power and 985Nm of torque.
The Type 133 will be underpinned by the same Lotus Premium electric vehicle (EV) architecture as the Eletre, which supports 92-120kWh batteries with an 800V electrical system.
The new sports sedan is expected to be officially unveiled later this year with deliveries to begin in 2024.
Type 133 is only a codename for now; the model will receive a name beginning with the letter ‘E’ as is Lotus tradition.
Lotus previously confirmed to Autocar the sedan is being benchmarked against the all-electric Porsche Taycan sedan.
Following the Type 133’s launch, Lotus is planning an electric D-segment SUV (Type 134) in 2025 and an electric sports car (Type 135) in 2026.
Vehicles on the new Lotus Premium architecture will be built in China at the Lotus Technology division’s plant in Wuhan.
They will join the line-up which currently consists of just the all-electric Evija hypercar and the Emira, Lotus’ last petrol-powered car, which are manufactured at Hethel in the UK.
Lotus is on the cusp of a significant expansion that will see it transformed into a higher-volume, more global EV brand.
The company says it is taking a “significant” amount of holding deposits for the Eletre electric SUV, which is currently set to arrive in Australia in 2024.
