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Lotus announces four EVs and moves its technology division to China

Lotus took a big leap towards the mainstream with the announcement it's building four new EVs, and only one is a sports car. The others include a sedan and two SUVs. And on top of the new product announcements, the automaker revealed its Lotus Technology division is going to set up headquarters in Wuhan, China. With the Elise out of the picture and its pockets full of cash from Geely – parent company to Volvo, too – Lotus is moving forward with its ambitious expansion plans. It announced it will grow its line-up of models with four electric cars shown in the sketch above: an SUV called Type 132 internally and due out in 2022, a sedan marketed as a four-door coupe known as Type 133 and expected to go on sale in 2023, a second SUV referred to as the Type 134 that will make its debut in 2025, and a sports car currently dubbed Type 135 that we'll allegedly see in 2026. This isn't the first time Lotus has made wild claims about its future, but this time it might actually have the funds to pull it off. We knew that an SUV was in the pipeline, leaked patent images may have revealed its exterior design, but the sedan and the second high-riding model are new additions to the company's product roadmap. Lotus explained its so-called "premium lifestyle" vehicles (read: four-door models) will all ride on a new platform called Lotus Premium that's said to be highly modular. Its wheelbase can vary from about 114 to 122 inches, and it can take battery packs with a capacity of 92 to 120 kilowatt hours. It's also compatible with an 800-volt charging system, and Lotus claims vehicles built on the new architecture will be capable of reaching 60 mph from a stop in less than three seconds. As for the other news, while Lotus ostensibly remains based in Hethel, England, its historic home, the Lotus Technology subsidiary broke ground on a new facility in China in August 2021. Lotus explained it formed the division to develop batteries and energy management systems, electric motors, electric control systems and other EV components. Investing in Wuhan rather than in Hethel will certainly raise more than a few eyebrows. It's a move that brings Lotus closer to its parent company and some of its key investors, such as Nio, while pivoting it away from its historic home and its main markets.

Lotus Evora 400 arrives in December for $89,900

It's been three months to the day since Lotus revealed the new Evora 400. And if you've spent the intervening time pining and wondering just how much you'd need to set aside to put one in your driveway, you need wonder no longer. The British sports car manufacturer has just released pricing for the new-and-improved Evora 400, which will retail at Lotus showrooms in America for $89,900. Now that's a fair bit more than it was charging just last year for an Evora ($68,400) or the Evora S ($78,480), but for all that extra scratch, you get a lot more. The 400-horsepower model packs 55 more horses than the Evora S, weighs almost 50 pounds less, features a new diff, carbon-ceramic brakes, bodywork and interior, and benefits from returned electronics, suspension, gearbox, and more. (Buyers will also be able to opt for an automatic transmission, upgraded interior trim, appearance package, forged alloys and painted calipers, all at additional cost.) The result of all those upgrades – costly as they are – is a 0-60 time of just 4.1 seconds, a top speed of 186 miles per hour and a lap time around the company's test track at Hethel clocked at 1:32 – a full six seconds faster than the existing Evora S. If that sound enticing, North American deliveries are set to commence in December. Related Video: Show full PR text Lotus announces prices for Evora 400 · Prices start at GBP72,000 (UK) · High level of standard specification · Fastest and most powerful production Lotus ever · Deliveries from August 2015 Lotus Cars is delighted to announce the prices of the new Evora 400. The latest supercar from Lotus combines high performance with the legendary Lotus benchmark handling and is lighter, more efficient and dynamically better than ever, providing a purer driving experience. UK prices will start from GBP72,000 (for other markets, see table below). For this price the car benefits from a high level of standard specification including 370 mm composite two piece brake discs from AP Racing, a Limited Slip Differential, automatic air-conditioning and infotainment system including satellite navigation. In addition to this, the options list includes automatic transmission at GBP2,000, Alcantara or Leather trim upgrades at GBP2,500 and metallic paint at GBP900.

New 2024 Lotus Emira priced at just under six figures

Unveiled in 2021, and delayed earlier in 2023 allegedly due to certification-related issues, the 2024 Lotus Emira is finally ready to turn its wheels on American pavement. The coupe appears on the firm's online configurator, but it costs significantly more than initially announced. Buyers will have two Emira flavors to choose from. The entry-level car uses a Mercedes-AMG-sourced 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that's turbocharged to develop 360 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It spins the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Next up is a supercharged, 3.5-liter V6 provided by Toyota and rated at 400 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder spins the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission, though a six-speed automatic that bumps the torque figure to 317 is a $2,150 option. Pricing for the base Emira starts at $99,900 excluding destination fee, which hasn't been published yet, while the V6-powered car carries a base price of $105,400. Note that these figures only apply to the First Edition model; Lotus hasn't detailed or priced the other available trim levels. For context, the Geely-owned British brand initially announced prices of $85,900 and $93,300 for the four-cylinder- and V6-powered models, respectively. An earlier report blames the increases on the supply chain-related constraints that have plagued most carmakers since 2020. Enthusiasts configuring an Emira have a long list of options to choose from. Lotus offers Touring and Sport chassis configurations (the latter brings a firmer suspension system), 13 paint colors, a Black Pack that bundles black exterior trim pieces, and three wheel designs. Inside, you've got several leather and Alcantara upholsteries to choose from plus a vehicle tracker, a HomeLink transceiver, and tinted windows. Lotus dealers across the nation will begin receiving the V6-powered Emira First Edition in the third quarter of 2023, while buyers waiting in line for a four-cylinder-powered model won't get their car until the first quarter of 2024. Additional trim levels should join the range later on. Related video: