We’ve heard rumblings about Lotus prepping a new mid-engine car for this year, powered by a V6 hybrid unit and styled after the all-electric Evija hypercar.
This entry-level model is aimed for daily use and will be the British carmaker’s last combustion-engine car. According to company CEO Phil Popham, it will be priced between £55,000 ($68,000) and £100,000 ($123,000).
Production will commence this year at Lotus’ plant in Hethel, England, as soon as the UK lifts its coronavirus lockdown, said Popham. As for the reveal date, it will happen either later this year or in 2021, reports Autonews Europe.
Read Also: New Lotus Model Launching This Year With Mid-Engine V6 Hybrid Powertrain
This is a different ramp up strategy than what Aston Martin and Lamborghini have employed by making SUVs. Lotus’ accessible sports car (albeit with enough interior space to make it a genuine daily driver) will also serve as a departure from its track-focused siblings in terms of design.
The carmaker plans on lifting volumes from around 1,600 cars per year toward the 5,000 unit limit of its facilities, and these plans will not be held back by any sales issues related to the current lockdown, added the CEO.
“It’s not as if we have to generate all the money ourselves to invest in our future,” said Popham. “Our focus now is on sports cars, but we do think the brand has the potential to move into other segments. And Geely has expertise in areas such as electrification and autonomous driving.”
By other segments, he means either an SUV or a sports sedan, both of which would be fascinating propositions coming out of Hethel.
