Lotus Will Unveil Its Porsche Boxster EV Killer Next Week

Lotus is going through somewhat of a change. The ICE-powered Emira links the company to its past, but new electric models like the Eletre SUV and the Emeya show us where the company is heading, and a new piece of the puzzle will be unveiled soon. First reported by Autocar, Lotus marketing head Qiao Xinyu has shared a teaser of a new vehicle.

The image showcases the rear end of the Theory 1, which will be unveiled on September 17. Admittedly, the teaser doesn’t reveal much, but we can see a prominent rear spoiler that floats above a sporty-looking rear fascia. The Lotus nameplate is flanked by two slim taillights, with a Kammtail-esque rear end just below.

A New Lotus Sports Car Is On The Way

While it’s difficult to tell, the styling and details point towards something more dynamic, like a sports car or a supercar. While the Eletre and Emeya have sporty elements, the rear end pictured above would look out of place on an electric sedan or SUV.

It remains to be seen whether the Theory 1 is a production vehicle or a concept car, but the name suggests it’s the latter; the greater majority of Lotus production vehicles have a model name that starts with an E – Eclat, Elite, Elise, Evora, etc. – so it’s unlikely that the automaker would break with tradition and name its new car the Theory 1. The name ‘Theory’ suggests the new model is a design study that previews a future aesthetic direction.

A Rival To The Boxster EV And Cyberster

There’s a possibility that the Theory 1 could preview a production-ready version of the Type 135. This all-electric sports car is touted as a modern-day Elise successor and is projected to cost around $95,000 when it arrives in 2026. The battery-powered roadster will likely be underpinned by the E-Sports platform, but power figures are yet to be released. But based on the outputs of the Eletre and other electric Lotus vehicles, we can expect something spectacularly powerful.

While it will provide Lotus with a credible rival to the MG Cyberster and the all-electric Porsche Boxster EV (due next year), the electric Elise is expected to become the core model in the Norfolk-based brand’s group. Speaking to Autocar earlier this year, Lotus Group commercial chief Mike Johnstone said, “We call it the bullseye. At the very center [of the brand] always has to be that lightweight sports car. That gives you the credibility to build other products that have sporty characteristics.” We won’t have to wait much longer to see what the Theory 1 is, but we’re hoping it’s a return to tradition for Lotus.

Source:
Autocar