Lotus Type 132 SUV set for March 29 debut
Fresh teasers of Lotus’ first-ever SUV shows off rear light bar and dash as world debut draws nearLotus has once again previewed its upcoming all-electric 2022 Lotus Type 132 and confirmed its pure-electric Porsche Macan SUV rival will be officially unwrapped on March 29.
This time around the battery-electric Type 132, which will be renamed for production, is shown in action from the rear-end and can be seen with a full-width light bar and rear-view cameras in lieu of conventional door mirrors.
Within the cabin, the Lotus SUV will get a flat-topped steering wheel and paddles that are thought to vary the brake regeneration.
A slimline full-digital instrument cluster will also sit ahead of the driver that's expected to be flanked by a large infotainment system.
Earlier teasers have shown how the British car-maker will package its electric motor, transmission and inverter within one casing to save weight and reduce complexity.
Lotus' lightweight approach extends to developing an aerodynamic set of carbon-fibre reinforced alloy wheels that are believed to cut drag and incorporate the car-maker's latest composites knowhow to slash weight.
The Type 132 will also feature a pop-up LiDAR system that will be mounted in an optimum position for greater accuracy as the car-maker edges for Level 3 autonomous driving capability from launch.
We already know the Chinese-built SUV will be based on Lotus' fresh Premium Architecture that has been designed and developed specifically for electric vehicles.
It will be powered by large batteries ranging from 90kWh to 120kWh. Versions with the biggest batteries should have a range of up to 650km.
Performance claims are still to be released, but the company said its Premium Architecture can be driven with multiple electric motors that will see the fastest versions capable of an incredible 0-100km/h time of less than 3.0 seconds.
And the British sports car-maker's SUV will not only be quick in a straight line. Thanks to an 800V architecture, it will be among the fastest to charge in its class – at a rate of up to 350kW.
That could see an 80 per cent top-up taking a little over 20 minutes.
One of four EVs that Lotus will launch over the next five years, the first of the new breed of EVs that will follow the Type 132 will be a larger SUV and then a four-door Porsche Taycan rival.
Expect at least one more tease of the Type 132 ahead of its full unveiling on March 29.
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