New production car confirmed by Lotus since 2008: the electric hypercar Type 130

At the Shanghai Auto Show, Lotus confirmed that it’s new electric hypercar named Type 130 is now in advanced stages of development.

Lotus embarks on an exciting new era with the announcement of its first all-new product in more than a decade – set to become the first all-electric hypercar from a British manufacturer.

Type 130 continues the legendary bloodline from Lotus during its 71-year history, which has seen a number of true game-changers introduced from the Norfolk, UK based brand in both motorsport and sportscars.

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.

The all-new car will be revealed, together with the full remarkable details and specification of this technical tour de force, in London, the birthplace of Lotus, later this year.

Some notable Lotus ‘Type’ numbers include:

• Type 14 – World’s first composite monocoque production road car (Elite, 1957)
• Type 25 – World’s first fully-stressed monocoque F1 car, first Lotus to win F1 world championship (1963)
• Type 72 – Most successful F1 car of all time and the blueprint for F1 car design for many years (Championship winner in 1970, ‘72 and’ 73)
• Type 78 – World’s first ‘ground effects’ F1 car (1977)
• Type 88 – World’s first carbon fibre F1 car (1981)
• Type 92 – World’s first active suspension F1 car (1983)
• Type 111 – World’s first aluminium and bonded extrusion construction production car (Elise, 1995)
• Type 130 – World’s first full electric British hypercar (2019)

Source: Lotus Group