RE: Lotus Type 132 reveal due next month
Monday 28th February 2022
Lotus Type 132 reveal due next month
All-new - and all-important - electric SUV set to be unveiled on March 29th
Having endlessly previewed its latest model with a series of blink-and-you've-missed-it teaser vids, Lotus has finally announced itself ready to reveal the Type 132 to an expectant planet. Haters gonna hate, but make no mistake about it: the all-new, all-electric SUV is the most radical car Lotus has built in decades. The 2,000hp Evija was a pebble thrown in a small pond; the 132 is a reinforced concrete stepping stone to where the manufacturer wants to get to by the end of the decade.
Of course, for most of us, the fundamental idea of Lotus is about as far removed from SUVs and electric mobility as it's possible to be, bearing in mind Colin Chapman's philosophy of 'simplify, then add lightness' - so it's still something that needs coming to terms with. Hence the electric hypercar and the tip-toeing build-up to actually showing us how Lotus is going to compete with the sort of car that every premium manufacturer is going to build (if they aren't already).
Now, thanks to another teaser vid, we have a final date for that endgame. Among the shots of athletes limbering up and accelerating out the starting blocks are glimpses of bits we've seen before, including the wheel design, LED headlight, electric drivetrain and the dashboard. The best is saved for the finale, though - following the briefest drive-by possible, with the car's prominent glowing rear light bar disappearing into the distance, Lotus flashes up March 29th 2022. Let's call it E-day.
The product assault doesn't stop there. Lotus has already told us that three additional models will follow the Type 132. Type 134 is set to be another electric SUV (a slightly smaller one), while Type 133 is a four-door coupe, and Type 135 (the knee-trembler) is due to be the sports car that Lotus is building in partnership with Alpine. Don't expect to hear much about them next month - but brace yourself for what's coming nevertheless...
Discussion
Whereas I feel interested.
Now we might see something innovative. I want to see what Lotus are going to give us.
Lotus have never just given the market something to sell. It’s never just a mass market piece of something. Much to their commercial loss of course. They produce interesting stuff. So let’s see what they have to give us.
Now we might see something innovative. I want to see what Lotus are going to give us.
Lotus have never just given the market something to sell. It’s never just a mass market piece of something. Much to their commercial loss of course. They produce interesting stuff. So let’s see what they have to give us.
DeejRC said:
Whereas I feel interested.
Now we might see something innovative. I want to see what Lotus are going to give us.
Lotus have never just given the market something to sell. It’s never just a mass market piece of something. Much to their commercial loss of course. They produce interesting stuff. So let’s see what they have to give us.
I hear what you’re saying but does it really have to be yet another SUV?I would have been much more interested if they were going to unveil an electric lightweight two-seater, if that’s possible. Now we might see something innovative. I want to see what Lotus are going to give us.
Lotus have never just given the market something to sell. It’s never just a mass market piece of something. Much to their commercial loss of course. They produce interesting stuff. So let’s see what they have to give us.
Thank goodness we have a story telling us there will be a press release next month. That press release will, of course, be the reveal of the name, not the car. And maybe the date when they will reveal the car. Then we'll know to start the 2 year timer on deliveries.
It's a shame we didn't get pre-warned last month about this story though. That was a missed opportunity by the Lotus PR clowns.
It's a shame we didn't get pre-warned last month about this story though. That was a missed opportunity by the Lotus PR clowns.
Chubbyross said:
DeejRC said:
Whereas I feel interested.
Now we might see something innovative. I want to see what Lotus are going to give us.
Lotus have never just given the market something to sell. It’s never just a mass market piece of something. Much to their commercial loss of course. They produce interesting stuff. So let’s see what they have to give us.
I hear what you’re saying but does it really have to be yet another SUV?I would have been much more interested if they were going to unveil an electric lightweight two-seater, if that’s possible. Now we might see something innovative. I want to see what Lotus are going to give us.
Lotus have never just given the market something to sell. It’s never just a mass market piece of something. Much to their commercial loss of course. They produce interesting stuff. So let’s see what they have to give us.
The more I look at Lotus and what they're doing, the more I'm convinced they'll be gone within the next few years. To sell relatively mass-market cars they desperately need a dealership network that's up to the job and they are absolutely miles away from that. Shiny new models aimed at Porsche's market share are all very well, but the enthusiast market isn't enough to make Lotus a success and their dealers aren't even close to Porsche's in terms of number or quality.
I hope they prove me wrong, but I'm seriously starting to doubt that they will, especially given the turbulent climate into which they're releasing these new cars.
I hope they prove me wrong, but I'm seriously starting to doubt that they will, especially given the turbulent climate into which they're releasing these new cars.
I haven't been following this, but aren't we a month early for a story about Lotus making an SUV?
But I guess not, It is the way of things, with Porsche now being an SUV company with a sideline (by sales) in sports cars, and with everybody bar Catherham and Morgan doing the same.
As a TVR owner, maybe the new car is being pitched wrong if they want sales.
But I guess not, It is the way of things, with Porsche now being an SUV company with a sideline (by sales) in sports cars, and with everybody bar Catherham and Morgan doing the same.
As a TVR owner, maybe the new car is being pitched wrong if they want sales.
Actus Reus said:
The more I look at Lotus and what they're doing, the more I'm convinced they'll be gone within the next few years. To sell relatively mass-market cars they desperately need a dealership network that's up to the job and they are absolutely miles away from that. Shiny new models aimed at Porsche's market share are all very well, but the enthusiast market isn't enough to make Lotus a success and their dealers aren't even close to Porsche's in terms of number or quality.
I hope they prove me wrong, but I'm seriously starting to doubt that they will, especially given the turbulent climate into which they're releasing these new cars.
not sure how important UK is to 132 launch. I hope they prove me wrong, but I'm seriously starting to doubt that they will, especially given the turbulent climate into which they're releasing these new cars.
Actus Reus said:
The more I look at Lotus and what they're doing, the more I'm convinced they'll be gone within the next few years. To sell relatively mass-market cars they desperately need a dealership network that's up to the job and they are absolutely miles away from that. Shiny new models aimed at Porsche's market share are all very well, but the enthusiast market isn't enough to make Lotus a success and their dealers aren't even close to Porsche's in terms of number or quality.
I hope they prove me wrong, but I'm seriously starting to doubt that they will, especially given the turbulent climate into which they're releasing these new cars.
Bear in mind their parent company also owns Volvo - could easily go down the Jaguar / Landrover or BMW / Mini route. Only way you could get me within 10 miles of a Volvo dealership!I hope they prove me wrong, but I'm seriously starting to doubt that they will, especially given the turbulent climate into which they're releasing these new cars.
DeejRC said:
Now we might see something innovative. I want to see what Lotus are going to give us.
Vidarr said:
let's hope this offers up something interesting and innovative
I fear hope is all we have, as I fail to see just how they can innovate. Lotus have already said, according to Car magazine, that it is impossible to do an E-segment SUV under 1700kg. And why would they be able to? They have no ability to innovate in battery tech or motor tech, as they won't even be making them. So all that is left is the body design and electronics which do not leave much room for manoeuvre with today's legislation.We are heading to the commoditisation of cars; would sir like his from M&S, Boss, Paul Smith or made-to-measure Alexander McQueen? They will all do much the same thing but at vastly different costs.
My only remaining hope is that it means there will be a boxy electric skateboard chassis van available soon at a reasonable cost that I can kit out exactly as desired for transport, towing and camping, whilst my carefully selected ICE cars to be kept for the rest of life (a 2000s era hot hatch and mid-engined roadster, not that anyone asked) will be kept for high days driving and to tinker with.
As a brand, Lotus has always been a sports car company. Its founder famous for "Add lightness" .
Problem is, Lotus can only do so many special editions and the sales figures Geely wants isn't going to come by making more hardcore track cars. As mentioned earlier in the thread Porsche is now a SUV manufacturer that also builds sports cars. Look at Aston Martin, DBX demand is so high they doubled their sales. Urus is now Lamborghini's best selling car so is it any surprise that Geely is keen for a slice of that lucrative market?
I hope its successful and injects some much needed cash in Lotus coffers, that way they can be an SUV / EV company that makes sports cars!
Problem is, Lotus can only do so many special editions and the sales figures Geely wants isn't going to come by making more hardcore track cars. As mentioned earlier in the thread Porsche is now a SUV manufacturer that also builds sports cars. Look at Aston Martin, DBX demand is so high they doubled their sales. Urus is now Lamborghini's best selling car so is it any surprise that Geely is keen for a slice of that lucrative market?
I hope its successful and injects some much needed cash in Lotus coffers, that way they can be an SUV / EV company that makes sports cars!
Mark Asread said:
Thank goodness we have a story telling us there will be a press release next month. That press release will, of course, be the reveal of the name, not the car. And maybe the date when they will reveal the car. Then we'll know to start the 2 year timer on deliveries.
It's a shame we didn't get pre-warned last month about this story though. That was a missed opportunity by the Lotus PR clowns.
Bit harsh. I know what you mean but if your job relied on getting as many people as possible to watch the eventual reveal/launch, you'd probably want to make sure and give people plenty of warning.It's a shame we didn't get pre-warned last month about this story though. That was a missed opportunity by the Lotus PR clowns.
Or would you just post a couple of pics and hope people see it?
Chubbyross said:
DeejRC said:
Whereas I feel interested.
Now we might see something innovative. I want to see what Lotus are going to give us.
Lotus have never just given the market something to sell. It’s never just a mass market piece of something. Much to their commercial loss of course. They produce interesting stuff. So let’s see what they have to give us.
I hear what you’re saying but does it really have to be yet another SUV?I would have been much more interested if they were going to unveil an electric lightweight two-seater, if that’s possible. Now we might see something innovative. I want to see what Lotus are going to give us.
Lotus have never just given the market something to sell. It’s never just a mass market piece of something. Much to their commercial loss of course. They produce interesting stuff. So let’s see what they have to give us.
Well I never, lotus bringing an SUV to market but who would have thought lambo and Aston would so stranger things have happened,I'm waiting with anticipation
Hooking up with Alpine does that mean Alpine will also in time make a performance type suv or could they lotus build an SUV for Alpine such as they built cars for vauxhall/Opel previously with the vx220;and turbo's
Hooking up with Alpine does that mean Alpine will also in time make a performance type suv or could they lotus build an SUV for Alpine such as they built cars for vauxhall/Opel previously with the vx220;and turbo's
burman said:
However good it is I shall not be buying one for three reasons 1 Do not want an SUV, 2 Certainly not an EV SUV, 3 The main reason I think its made in Wuhan! for gods sake after deleting the last 2 years.
From what I've read so far, ground zero for Covid-19 was either a lab or a wet market. I don't think I've heard anything indicating that it was linked to Geely's car manufacturing business, or are they guilty by geographical association? Some interesting comments here: https://www.emiraforum.com/threads/just-back-from-...
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