--- title: "Lotus Dumps EV Plan for a New V8 Supercar: TDS" date: "2026-05-12" modified: "2026-05-12" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/lotus-dumps-ev-plan-for-a-new-v8-supercar-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # Lotus Dumps EV Plan for a New V8 Supercar: TDS ![A teaser shot of the back of Lotus's Type 135 supercar.]() *A teaser shot of the back of Lotus's Type 135 supercar, which we must say looks quite good. \Lotus\* Good morning and welcome to *[The Downshift]()*, or *TDS* for short. *TDS* is your daily one-stop shop for all the auto industry headlines from around the world fit to print. In the old days, before the internet, a kid on a bicycle would throw a rolled-up copy at your door, and you’d sit and read it at your breakfast nook with coffee in hand and get ink all over your fingers. The modern version’s a lot less romantic, but just as informative. Let’s get into it. 🎱 Lotus has doubled back from its all-EV business plan, as so many have, and now intends to launch a hybrid V8 sports car by 2028, tentatively called "Type 135." The automaker is also planning an update to the current, gas-powered Emira that will make it both more powerful and lighter than ever before. \[*[Autocar]()*\] 🔋 Ford has decided to use its excess battery production to prop up a new business, called Ford Energy, that will sell energy storage systems built in the U.S. to utilities, data centers, and industrial customers. \[*[Barron's]()*\] 🖥️ General Motors is laying off 500 to 600 workers in its IT department globally in an effort to trim costs and "better position the company for the future." \[*[Bloomberg]()*\] 🚙 Audi will unveil the new Q9, an SUV that is supposedly very much geared for the American market, on July 29. Our own Joel Feder got to see a prototype in person, and you can read about his impressions, particularly about the interior, [here](). 🚕 Waymo is recalling 3,800 robotaxis due to a fault the company has identified that could result in the vehicles choosing to enter flooded roads that have higher speed limits. \[*[Reuters]()*\] 🏁 As questions spiral around Max Verstappen and his future, Ford Performance director Mark Rushbrook has gone on record saying that the team has had conversations with the four-time world champion about him piloting its WEC hypercar down the stretch. Verstappen is notably interested in sports car and endurance racing, so the two would make a great match. \[*[Motorsport.com]()*\] ⛺ Honda and Acura will start selling Thule active lifestyle accessories, like roof boxes and bike racks, directly through their dealerships. \[*[Autoblog]()*\] 🏭 Tesla plans to invest $250 million into its battery plant outside Berlin to increase production capacity. \[*[Reuters]()*\] *Got a tip? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()