Lotus is preparing to return to the supercar spotlight with the upcoming Type 135, a high-performance hybrid model expected to deliver more than 1,000 horsepower when it arrives in 2028.
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The new flagship will play a central role in the company’s newly announced Focus 2030 strategy, a long-term plan designed to strengthen the Lotus brand through performance-focused engineering, multiple powertrain options and tighter operational discipline. The Type 135 is expected to become the most powerful road-going Lotus in the company’s modern history while reinforcing its identity as a manufacturer centered around driver engagement and engineering innovation.
The Anglo-Chinese automaker said the Type 135 will combine hybrid technology with a V-8 engine, moving beyond the smaller four-cylinder setup currently used in the company’s X-Hybrid system. Lotus confirmed the supercar will use the same 900-volt electrical architecture featured in the recently introduced Eletre X SUV, though the new halo model is expected to push performance to an even higher level.
In the Eletre X, the X-Hybrid system produces 952 horsepower using a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with electric assistance. For the Type 135, Lotus plans to replace that powerplant with a V-8 configuration capable of exceeding the 1,000-horsepower mark.
The Type 135 will also represent a continuation of Lotus’ evolving approach to electrification. Rather than shifting entirely to battery-electric vehicles, the company’s Focus 2030 strategy outlines a multi-powertrain lineup that allows internal combustion, hybrid and fully electric models to coexist across different segments.
Under that plan, the Emira remains Lotus’ dedicated internal combustion sports car, while the Eletre, Emeya and Evija continue representing the company’s fully electric future. The Type 135 will bridge those worlds by combining electrified performance with traditional supercar power delivery.
Lotus also confirmed the new model will be built in Europe, a move intended to avoid tariffs in key markets. In North America, the company said its future strategy will continue focusing heavily on sports cars despite the broader expansion of its electric vehicle lineup.
Although technical specifications remain limited, an early teaser image released by Lotus hints at styling heavily influenced by the Theory One concept revealed in 2024. That concept featured dramatic proportions, a canopy-style cockpit and a central driving position similar to the layout made famous by the McLaren F1.
The Theory One also drew inspiration from the classic Lotus Esprit, signaling that the Type 135 could blend retro design influence with advanced hybrid performance technology. At the time the concept debuted, Lotus design leadership described it as a preview of the company’s future direction, and the Type 135 now appears positioned to bring many of those ideas into production form.
For Lotus, the launch of the Type 135 represents more than just a new supercar. It signals the company’s effort to balance heritage, electrification and modern performance expectations while reestablishing itself as a serious player in the global high-performance market.
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