--- title: "Lotus’ Final ICE Sports Car Will Be Replaced by an EV in 2027" description: "Lotus already plans to replace its new internal-combustion Emira with an all-electric sports car that will be revealed next year." date: "2024-01-31" modified: "2024-01-31" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/lotus-final-ice-sports-car-will-be-replaced-by-an-ev-in-2027" categories: - "Lotus News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Emira" - "Lotus" - "sports car" --- # Lotus’ Final ICE Sports Car Will Be Replaced by an EV in 2027 ![]() *\Lotus\* The [Lotus Emira]() is still really fresh. U.K. customers were the first to take delivery in Q4 2022, making it barely more than a year old, so [Lotus]()' sports car revival is just beginning. However, despite the Emira's youth and [rave reviews among car enthusiasts](), the legendary British brand is already planning its replacement with a fully electric sports car set to debut in 2027. According to *[Evo]()*, Lotus is readying its EV sports car—codenamed "Type 135"—which will still be built in Hethel, England, where the Emira is currently made. Nevertheless, much of its R&D will be done by a different arm of the company, in Germany and China. Outsourcing some development isn't unusual for Lotus, as it's used Toyota V6s for decades, and the Emira even has an optional 2.0-liter turbo-four from AMG. ![]() **Lotus** No specs or details are available at this time, as all that Lotus is willing to say is that the Type 135 will be built alongside the electric Evija hypercar in Hethel, under the Lotus Cars division. The Chinese-built electric Lotuses (Loti?)—the [Eletre](), Emeya GT, and upcoming Type 134 SUV—will be developed by the Lotus Technologies arm. The Lotus Emira being killed off so quickly is depressing. If it truly ends production in 2027, that will give it a five-year lifecycle, which is relatively short by normal industry standards but even shorter for Lotus. The Evora lasted 12 years, and the Series III Exige was sold for nine. Five years for what's said to be the company's final ICE sports car feels unfair, as it only just got here, and just kicked off the revival of genuinely good Lotus sports cars. It's even worse for North American enthusiasts, as customers on this side of the pond [haven't taken delivery of their vehicles yet]() because Lotus is still waiting on an emissions certificate from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Yes, when the Type 135 gets here, it will still be a sports car. But so much of what's made a Lotus a Lotus, historically, will be missing—the driver's visceral interaction with the engine and transmission, not to mention lightness. Being bought by Geely and venturing into electric SUVs and sedans is what's allowing the company to bring us the Emira in the first place. That's all well and good, but it'd be a real shame if the last hurrah of the gas-burning Lotus is here and gone in five years. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()