Lotus Is Reportedly Developing a 1,000-HP V-8 Hybrid Supercar for 2028

Lotus’ now legendary mantra of “simplify, then add lightness” is rather antithetical when it comes to the concept of electrification—much more so the lightness part of the equation. And although the modern era stewards of the brand are very much in tune with infusing what it calls the Lotus DNA (lightweight, aerodynamics, obsessive engineering, and driver engagement) into every model it produces, weight is hard to pull out of an EV. The all-electric version of its Eletre super SUV, for example, while pushing 900 horsepower, also pushes around 5,900 pounds.

Now, as part of its Focus 2030 initiative, the new-generation Lotus team has announced its most ambitious project yet—a built-from-the-ground-up, hybrid V-8-powered model pushing 1,000 hp, known as the Type 135. Like the Eletre, we don’t expect it to be adding much lightness given the powertrain, but we are hoping that it will be something special seeing as it’s being billed as the first-ever Lotus supercar.

So far, Lotus has provided a few preliminary details, plus this image of a rear end, to mull over. It says the all-new car will be built in Europe, presumably at its spiritual home, the famed Hethel facility in the U.K., and that it will hit production sometime in 2028. More details are expected to follow throughout 2026. If we had to guess, we’re betting against Type 135 as being the car’s final name. We’d say this is as good a time as any to put a Polymarket bet down on Esprit. After all, that car was powered by a V-8.

The accompanying photo shows a wide car with high-mounted exhaust tips, suggesting a mid-ship layout. We brightened up the image some, and can discern a sizable rear diffuser, too. Overall, the rear end seems rather Audi R8-ish to us (this is a good thing).

The Lotus Emira

Focusing on 2030

Aside from the supercar, the automaker’s broader Focus 2030 plan is to build a mix of internal combustion engine cars, PHEVs, and EVs to achieve a 60 percent PHEV to 40 percent EV mix in the short term. The long-term goal is full electrification.

Lotus’ emerging X-Hybrid system will be central to that plan. A variation of the 900-volt plug-in hybrid system developed by its Chinese parent company Geely, it’s capable of more than 950 horsepower and some 150 miles of range and is rolling out now in the Eletre (now known as the For Me in China).

The first Geely-era Lotus produced was the Emira, and it’ll serve as the final gasoline-powered sports car. However, Tuesday’s announcement also stated that the lightest and most powerful version of the Emira is coming soon.

Following Emira production came the all-electric Evija hypercar, hybrid or electric Eletre (known for now in China as the For Me), and all-electric Emeya sedan. The Emeya launched in 2023 and deliveries began in 2024; with the Type 135 launch happening in 2028, Lotus fans will have some time on their hands between models. Not that this is something they aren’t already used to enduring.

Still, a brand-new V-8 supercar is always exciting, and we hope it’ll be worth the wait.