• Lotus Tech’s American Depositary Shares to Begin Trading on the Nasdaq on February 23, 2024, under Ticker Symbol “LOT”

New York and Singapore – February 20, 2024  Lotus Technology Inc. (“Lotus Tech” or the “Company”), a leading global luxury electric vehicle maker, and L Catterton Asia Acquisition Corp (“LCAA”) (NASDAQ: LCAA), a special purpose acquisition company formed by affiliates of L Catterton, a leading global consumer-focused investment firm, announced today that their previously proposed business combination is expected to be completed on February 22, 2024. The combined company will retain Lotus Tech's name as “Lotus Technology Inc.” and its American Depositary Shares (ADS) will commence trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “LOT” on February 23, 2024. The business combination was approved by LCAA shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting held on February 2, 2024.

Integrating Lotus’s sports car DNA with a new generation of premium lifestyle vehicles, Lotus Tech is committed to transforming the brand into an advanced, fully electric, intelligent, and sustainable luxury mobility provider before its 80th anniversary in 2028. The Company has already set this ambitious plan in motion by launching a leading product portfolio of high-performing battery electric vehicles (“BEVs”) ahead of other global luxury automakers. These BEVs include Eletre, a new breed of all-electric hyper-SUV powered by Lotus’s proprietary 800-volt EPA, and Emeya, an all-electric hyper-GT among the most advanced vehicles of its kind in the world. With both BEVs already on the roads and two more fully electric models planned for launch over the next two years, Lotus Tech is on track to become the first traditional luxury automotive brand to achieve a 100% electric product portfolio by 2027.

Since the transaction was announced, the Company has raised more than US$880 million in pre-closing and private investment in public equity (“PIPE”) financing commitments from global investors, existing shareholders, and strategic partners, representing one of the largest amounts of additional financings raised in connection with a de-SPAC transaction since 2023.

“We are thrilled to announce our upcoming debut on the Nasdaq as we complete our business combination with LCAA,” said Mr. Qingfeng Feng, Chief Executive Officer of Lotus Tech. “This is a pivotal moment in our journey. We look forward to accelerating our growth as a listed company, leading the electric transformation of the global luxury BEV market together with L Catterton."

“Our partnership with Lotus Tech has gotten stronger over time and our respect for the mission it is on has only increased,” said Chinta Bhagat, Co-Chief Executive Officer of LCAA. “We are excited about the road ahead as we continue building the definitive luxury electric vehicle brand together, leveraging our global consumer insights and our strategic relationship with LVMH. Lotus Tech’s upcoming debut on the Nasdaq will be a key milestone in its journey and we believe that the Company will have many more achievements to celebrate over the coming years.”

Lotus Tech will ring the Nasdaq opening bell in New York City on February 23, 2024 to commemorate the Company's public listing. A live stream of the event can be viewed at https://www.nasdaq.com/marketsite/bell-ringing-ceremony.

• New Lotus Emeya has completed an extensive three-year test and development programme across 15 countries and two continents
• Cold-weather validation programme in the Arctic Circle confirms Emeya can perform in the harshest conditions, including in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius
• Rigorous tuning and testing process ensures Emeya drives like a true Lotus – engaging and desirable, with safe handling so customers can maximise dynamic performance
• Deliveries to customers start later this year. Visit www.lotuscars.com/emeya to find out more

London, UK – 9 February 2024  The Lotus Emeya hyper-GT completed the final stage of a rigorous global test and development programme in one of the world’s harshest environments.

Over the winter, the all-electric grand tourer was in Ivalo, Finland, as Lotus engineers conclude their validation work. Around 250km inside the Arctic Circle, temperatures in recent weeks have been as low as -25 degrees Celsius… and still the team has put the car in a local automotive ‘freezer’ to test it to -40 degrees Celsius.

It’s the culmination of a stringent three-year test and development programme across 15 countries in two continents1, supported by Lotus’ global engineering teams. It took place on a variety of terrain and conditions; from the UK's challenging B-roads to the smooth and fast-flowing German autobahn, through the highest Alpine passes and the remoteness of Inner Mongolia. Testing also took place at race tracks such as the Nürburgring Nordschleife and at proving grounds like the high-speed loop near the southern Italian town of Nardò.

As well as extreme cold, Emeya also endured conditions as high as 40 degrees Celsius in these environments. Additional in-market testing will take place in the Middle East, United States and Australia ahead of deliveries in these markets.

Sylvain Verstraeten, Regional Vehicle Line Director, Emeya, said: “The testing process at Lotus is rigorous and covers a comprehensive performance assessment of everything from suspension and steering through to battery and tyres. Emeya is the ultimate all-electric grand tourer, designed and engineered to deliver the optimum driving experience for our customers 365 days a year and in all conditions. We’re incredibly excited for customers to be able to experience Emeya for themselves.”

During the Arctic testing programme, Lotus’ engineers focused on testing Emeya in various ways, including:

·       Chassis systems such as suspensions, steering, brakes and traction and stability controls, to ensure stability of the vehicle in various conditions and on surfaces such as ice and snow.

·       Tyre testing and development of bespoke Lotus winter tyres that effectively support the handling and dynamics of the vehicle.

·       Driver assistance functions, which help customers remain in control of the vehicle in situations where road markings and traffic signs may be obscured due to external factors such as snow.

·       Proving the unrestricted usability of the battery in extreme weather, both charging and discharging, to ensure consistency and repeatability.

·       Testing and calibrating the air-conditioning and thermal management systems to ensure the car is as efficient and comfortable as possible in all conditions.

Two types of testing took place during Emeya’s development – controlled and real-world. Controlled testing means consistent conditions must exist. For example, during tyre tests the surface must remain consistent to allow meaningful comparisons. Real-world testing then proves the controlled results, introducing new factors such as changing road surfaces and driving in traffic

Meeting global regulatory targets is obviously a vital part of the programme, but at the heart of it is one key internal target – to guarantee Emeya drives like a true Lotus. As the company transitions to become an all-electric tech-focused luxury performance brand, staying true to the roots of what makes Lotus a Lotus is paramount.

Gavan Kershaw, Director of Attributes and Product Integrity, Lotus, was involved in that process since he joined the company in 1988 as a 16-year-old. He commented: “There are many elements of the Lotus DNA which have been carried through all our vehicles since the very first one in 1948. A Lotus should be engaging and desirable, but also safe and predictable. That doesn’t mean boring – in fact, just the opposite! Drivers need to know they can trust their car so they can maximise the dynamic performance, and with the development work that’s gone into Emeya, they really can.”

As a true grand tourer, Emeya has many features which help to make it the perfect companion in any environment, including the Arctic Circle. With Lotus advanced control systems and four-wheel drive, the vehicle excels in stability, handling and control, meaning the drivability of Emeya is not compromised in extreme weather.

Customers can remotely prepare their car from the comfort of their own home via the Lotus App. They can set the cabin to the desired temperature as well as turn on the heated seats and the heated steering wheel2. This process can be completed in only a few minutes3 and allows customers to move from house to car with minimal discomfort. The same of course applies in hot climates, where customers can cool the cabin and seats before entering their vehicle.

In addition, heated side cameras and mirrors prevent their vision being impacted by condensation, snow or ice. The 55-inch head-up display – the largest and most advanced in any Lotus – has Snow Mode which turns the display blue, helping the driver to see the outline of the road more easily against a white background.

For more information on Emeya, and to make a reservation, please visit www.lotuscars.com/emeya.

^{1 - Countries include the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, Netherland, Austria and China.}

^{2 - Heated seats and a heated steering wheel are optional extras.}

^{3 - Exact timing depends on factors such as outside temperature and desired cabin temperature.}

• Lotus owners across Europe will benefit from charging access on the road with Bosch and at home with Mobilize
• Partnership provides access to public charging stations across 30 European countries including the UK
• Lotus drivers can locate the nearest public charger on Lotus HyperOS, its award-winning in-car infotainment system, making charging on the move easier

London, UK – 16 January 2024  Lotus has announced two new pan-European charging partnerships to support the rapidly growing number of customers taking delivery of its electric vehicles.

The company’s Eletre owners will be able tap into Bosch’s and Mobilize Power Solutions’ charging capabilities, enabling them to charge their hyper-SUV at home or on the move, providing them with further access to easy-to-use, reliable charging. The partnerships will also support owners of the company’s upcoming electric hyper-GT, Emeya, which Lotus will be delivering to customers in Europe later this year.

Through the Bosch charging network, Lotus owners have access to more than 600,000 public charging stations across 30 European countries including UK, Germany and France¹. Lotus will continue to expand its charging network across Europe by adding additional network operators over time.

Drivers access the network with a simple tap of the Lotus Charging Card, and can find all the information they need easily via the Lotus Cars smartphone app. The app allows drivers to keep track of their charging history, manage costs and monitor vehicle battery status remotely.

Mike Johnstone, Chief Commercial Officer at Lotus Group, said: “Lack of charging infrastructure continues to remain one of the biggest barriers to electric vehicle adoption. We need make it easier than ever before to own an electric vehicle, in order to accelerate the transition to electrification and collaboration across the industry is key to this. By tapping into Bosch and Mobilize Power Solutions, we’re able to offer our customers further confidence in owning an electric Lotus by providing them with more and effortless options, wherever they are in Europe.”

Lotus’ electric vehicles offer exceptional charge times to keep drivers moving with minimal downtime. With a 350kW DC fast-charger, Eletre and Emeya can add 74 miles (120km)² of range with approximately five minutes of charge; the same fast-charger can also boost the battery from 10-80% in 20 minutes for the hyper-SUV and 18 minutes for the hyper-GT.

Lotus Hyper OS, the award-winning in-car infotainment system in the Eletre and Emeya, uses intelligent EV routing to help drivers locate nearby public chargers. This feature reduces range anxiety and can significantly cut travel times. The system can even suggest alternative routes based on the driver’s real-time battery consumption – all delivering an optimised Lotus EV driving experience.

Lotus is teaming up with Mobilize Power Solutions to unlock the home as the primary charging location by offering an all-inclusive package which includes the supply and installation of a charging point, with personalised support from ordering to commissioning. Competitively priced from £1,199 including VAT (from €2,155 including VAT), it comes with a tethered cable as standard and can utilise energy generated by a domestic solar array.

Olivia Arago, Vice-President, eMobility Services, Bosch Electrified Motion, said: “Availability of the public charging network is a primary concern for almost half (44%) of potential EV buyers and we are making significant headway to improve access across Europe. We are delighted to be working so closely with Lotus customers to encourage more widespread EV adoption in the UK and EU, ensuring that drivers can readily locate and use our chargers while on the go.”

Nicolas Schottey, CEO, Mobilize Power Solutions, added: “Charging at home is the most convenient way for Lotus customers to get the most from their EV and, thanks to our solutions and this new partnership, that is now easier than ever. We are proud to be the Lotus’ EV installation partner of choice.”

Today’s announcements come on the heels of Lotus’ launch of its own EV charging solutions, including an ultra-fast 450kW DC charger, a power cabinet and a modular unit for charging up to four vehicles at once. Lotus is future-proofing its charging solutions in preparation for when next-generation fast-charging infrastructure becomes more widely available.

Lotus has committed to developing its own charging solutions to support its Vision80 strategy that is seeing the company transform from a British sports car manufacturer to an all-electric global luxury technology brand by 2028.

The company is delivering on that promise with Eletre, which started customer deliveries in 2023. Emeya was unveiled last year, and the company is expected to see it arrive with customers in H2 2024 in Europe.

For more information on Lotus charging capabilities, visit: https://www.lotuscars.com/lotus-charging

• Lotus ends its 75th anniversary year on a high with prestigious award
• Carwow judges describe Lotus Eletre as “a really impressive electric SUV” and Emira as “peak Lotus”

London, UK – 5 December 2023  Lotus is ending its 75th anniversary year on a high as it’s named ‘Brand of the Year’ by automotive one-stop shop and media giant Carwow.

The Carwow team was full of praise for the “automotive ingenuity” demonstrated by Lotus across its latest all-electric cars – the Eletre hyper-SUV and Emeya hyper-GT. Carwow’s Eletre test-drive film shot at the Lotus EV production facility in Wuhan, China, earlier this year has been viewed more than 1.5 million times.

Mat Watson, Chief Content Officer at Carwow, said: “Lotus is right back on form and it’s great to see. The Emira is peak Lotus: light, responsive and fun; the Eletre shows that the British brand isn’t scared to embrace the future with a really impressive electric SUV; and the new Emeya gives me plenty of reason to think the company has a bright future.”

Conor Horne, Commercial Director, UK and Ireland, Lotus, said “Winning ‘Brand of the Year’ from Carwow is a fantastic finale to our 75th anniversary. With Eletre now in the hands of customers across the UK and Europe, and the world premiere of Emeya generating a huge amount of media interest and reservations, 2023 has been an amazing success story for Lotus. It’s just the start – there is so much more to come in 2024 and beyond.”

This year has also seen Lotus open new experience centres in London, Paris, Munich and Oslo, and launch in multiple new markets around the world, most recently India and South Korea.

Lotus also received a ‘Highly Commended’ award for the Lotus Emira in the ‘Pleasure of Driving’ category.

• Lotus commits to developing its own range of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions as part of journey to becoming all-electric by 2028
• Next-generation charging solutions developed by Lotus have been designed to increase confidence in charging infrastructure and accelerate electrification adoption
• Lotus’ new charging offerings are available today in China and expected to be rolled out in majority of European countries and Middle East in Q2 2024

London, UK – 28 November 2023  Lotus has launched today its own electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions including an ultra-fast 450 kW DC charger, power cabinet and a modular unit for charging up to four vehicles at once.

Charging anxiety remains one of the main barriers to electric vehicle adoption, with nearly 80% of the public citing the lack of charging infrastructure as a primary reason for not buying an EV in a survey conducted by the Energy Policy Institute. With Lotus’ charging capabilities, the company is providing consumers with reliability and confidence wherever they are driving. 

The new suite of EV charging solutions designed for businesses includes:

• Liquid-Cooled All-in-One DC Charger: a new charger, which offers ultra-fast charging of up to 450 kW. For example, with the Lotus Eletre R, it can add up to 88.5 miles or 142 km of range with approximately 5 minutes of charge making it one of the most competitive electric vehicle chargers. A 10% to 80% charge can be achieved in just 20 minutes with a range extension of 74 miles or 120 kilometres from a 5-minute charge when using a 350 kW Rapid Charger.
• Liquid-Cooled Power Cabinet: a modular power cabinet that is suited for spaces that require high energy in order to increase efficiency and minimise charging time, such as motorway rest stops. It offers market-leading power output capabilities of up to 480 kW. 
• Liquid-Cooled Charging Unit: a charging terminal, which when used with the Liquid-Cooled Power Cabinet, can charge up to four vehicles at once. The unit has a maximum current output of 600 Amp, which ensures it is able to meet the needs of all electric vehicle drivers. For instance, if they need a short top-up whilst on the go, or fast-charge for long distance drives, Lotus’ new offering provides them with a convenient solution.

Lotus is using liquid-cooled technologies throughout its suite of commercial charging solutions to make it easier and quicker for EV drivers to charge their vehicles.

Lotus’ fast-charging solutions have already been deployed in China and are expected to roll out across the majority of European countries and Middle East in Q2 2024. Further market availability will be announced in due course.

As charging infrastructure improves over time, Lotus is ensuring its customers are equipped by providing a 450 kW solution. Lotus has futureproofed its charging offering, which is expected to be the next step forward in fast charging when the infrastructure becomes readily available. Lotus customers will be able to easily upgrade to this power output without additional hardware costs once in-market service providers rollout grid upgrades. 

Mike Johnstone, Chief Commercial Officer at Lotus Group, said: “Over the past six years, Lotus has been investing in the technology and infrastructure to accelerate the transition to electrification. We need to make it easier than ever to own an electric vehicle and with our latest offerings, Lotus is able to provide customers with the confidence to access easy, fast, and efficient charging.” 

Alan Wang, Vice-President of Lotus Technology and CEO at Lotus Flash Charge, said: “As more governments are increasing investment into electrification in their journey to net-zero, the demand for a reliable electric vehicle charging infrastructure has never been higher than before. Lotus has developed best-in-class fast charging solutions to deliver a quick and reliable charging experience to meet customer needs.” 

In 2018, Lotus announced its Vision80 strategy and plans to transform the brand from a British sports car maker to an all-electric global luxury technology brand by 2028. As part of this transition, the company is committed to developing its own range of EV charging solutions.

The company launched its first electric hyper-SUV Eletre in 2022, with customer deliveries across UK, Europe and China taking place this year. Lotus recently launched Emeya, its next-generation electric hyper-GT, in early September 2023. 

Both vehicles integrate hardware, software, and cloud capabilities to develop a full stack of intelligent driving technologies. They also include HD cameras, radar, and high-precision mapping capabilities to allow the vehicles to precisely perceive their environment in a stereoscopic display, providing a smooth drive even in extreme conditions. Lotus will continue to expand its range of premium electric vehicles, as the company looks to scale in this growing market.

Lotus has seen a huge demand for its products, with an orderbook of over 19,000 vehicles for its Emira sports car and Eletre hyper-SUV. The company has ramped up production this year, having had a record-breaking first half of 2023, and expects the full year to surpass all previous years.

• New store offers customers an exclusive opportunity to experience the company’s product range in person  
• Announcement marks major milestone for Lotus, as the business scales globally and transforms to an all electric luxury technology brand   

Seoul, South Korea – 17 November 2023   Lotus today has announced the company has opened its flagship showroom in Dosandae-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. 

The new store can be found at the heart of one of Seoul’s most famous streets known for luxury and fashion. It brings together Lotus’ rich 75-year heritage with the latest technologies to provide customers with an exclusive and immersive entry point into the Lotus brand in South Korea.  

Spanning across three floors, and almost 720 square metres space, the showroom features seven Lotus vehicles. It provides consumers with an opportunity to see and experience the Lotus product range including its sportscar Emira, and electric hyper-SUV Eletre.  

It also offers a VIP lounge and bespoke digital experience, where customers will be able to personalise their own vehicles. Consumers will also be able to purchase Lotus merchandise in store.  

This is the brand’s first showroom in South Korea, one of the fastest growing luxury markets in the world. It forms part of Lotus’ strategic business growth plans in Asia, as the company continues to scale globally - part of its Vision80 strategy to become an all-electric global luxury technology brand by 2028. 

Mike Johnstone, Chief Commercial Officer at Lotus Group said: “We are passionate about creating spaces that bring the Lotus brand to life and resonate with local consumers. This new flagship showroom demonstrates our commitment to just that and offers a bespoke entry point to our British brand. I look forward to welcoming many more customers into the Lotus community, as a result.”  

The announcement comes on the heels of Lotus’ partnership with local luxury and premium automotive retailer Kolon Mobility Group (KMG), who are the official importer and sole distributor of Lotus in the region.  

Lotus began taking reservations for both Emira and Eletre earlier this year and is seeing strong demand for its luxury performance cars. The company will begin customer deliveries in South Korea in H2 2024.

• TORO Racing drivers Luo Kailuo and Adam Christodoulou complete ‘clean sweep’ 1-2 victory
• Black and gold Emira GT4 race cars paid tribute to 75 years of Lotus motorsport success
• Race-ready Lotus Emira GT4 homologated for competition in global GT4 classes

Macau, China – 13 November 2023  The Lotus Emira GT4 completed a stunning ‘clean sweep’ victory in its international race debut at the Macau Grand Prix in China. TORO Racing drivers Luo Kailuo and Adam Christodoulou took first and second positions, holding a commanding 12-second lead over the third-place finisher.

Both Emira GT4 race cars paid tribute to Lotus' 75 years of successful motorsport heritage and showcased the brand’s classic black and gold livery. Locking out the front row of the grid, they led from the start and were in complete control when the race was stopped early following an on-track incident. Race organisers determined the final positions based on the order before the stoppage, resulting in Luo Kailuo and Adam Christodoulou taking first and second in the GT4 class. Their best lap times were 2:31.392 and 2:31.724 respectively.

The Lotus Emira GT4 has been homologated for competition in global GT4 classes and, thanks to a comprehensive options list, is also eligible for other non-homologated and specialist race series around the world. It is powered by a Lotus-tuned 3.5-litre V6 with Motec engine management and a Harrop TVS 1900 supercharger. It features a Hewland six-speed sequential transmission with paddleshift actuation and limited-slip differential. Power output is 455 bhp with 500Nm of torque, though both were reduced slightly for the Macau Grand Prix to ensure a fair race with all competitors.

Ringo Chong, Team Director at TORO Racing, commented: ”The Emira GT4's three greatest strengths in the race were: first, the centre of gravity is very low, like flying on the ground; second, the car's steering is flexible, which gives the car a good advantage in the sharp corners of the Macau Grand Prix circuit; and third, we have added tuning for the city track and the mountain track to meet the demands of more intense driving.”

Feng Qingfeng, CEO of Lotus Group, was trackside to see the stunning 1-2 finish. He commented: "A racetrack is the only place better suited for a Lotus than the road. Lotus has been competing on the racetrack for 75 years, and championships have been a long-standing tradition for Lotus."

Established in 1954, the Macau Grand Prix is renowned for its challenging circuit. As one of the oldest street races in the world, it combines intricate twists, sharp bends and demanding terrain, pushing high-performance cars and the best drivers to their limits.

• Featuring the lightest e-bike motor from High Performance System (HPS)*, delivering true dual-use functionality to ride further, faster and higher
• Harnessing design and engineering excellence from more than 30 years’ experience of road and track cycling
• Quintessential Lotus lightness, with a motor at just 300 grams and full e-bike at only 9.8kg
• Exclusive limited first edition launch production run of 136 individually numbered bikes with unique Lotus motorsport-inspired livery

London, UK – 1 November 2023  Lotus unveils Type 136,  a new performance model featuring the lightest e-bike motor from HPS* to deliver dual-use functionality that will allow riders to go further, faster and higher.

The all-new bike harnesses design and engineering excellence from more than 30 years of road and track cycling success, while incorporating cutting-edge technology from the present day. The striking aero design has been inspired by Lotus’ gold medal-winning success in Olympic velodromes around the world, from the iconic Type 108 bike at the 1992 Barcelona Games to the most recent competition at Tokyo 2020. There the Hope/Lotus track bike helped the Great Britain track cycling team top the event medal table.

Handmade in Italy, the lightweight carbon fibre frame and state-of-the-art components mean Type 136 weighs just 9.8 kilograms. It features V-shaped handlebars, wing-shaped forks, and vaulted chain stays, helping it carve through the air with speed and efficiency.

The innovation continues with the battery, disguised as a water bottle and detached from the frame at the push of a button.

The bike’s Watt Assist Pro Motor system is derived from the Mars Lander Project – where limited weight and zero maintenance were critical factors to the mission’s success. It is the lightest e-bike motor system on the market from HPS* and weighs just 1.2kg in total. An elegant and compact bottom bracket shell that seamlessly integrates into the bike’s frame, the motor itself weighs just 300 grams.

In tribute to Lotus’ tradition of Type numbers for its new models, Type 136 is available as an exclusive limited first edition launch production run of just 136 bikes. These will be individually numbered and available in an iconic motorsport livery. The standard model will go on sale in Spring 2024.

Founded in 1948 and 75 years old this year, Lotus is best known as a global luxury performance brand, world-renowned for the design, engineering and manufacture of thrilling two-seater sports cars such as Esprit, Elise and Elite. Its latest range of all-electric models includes Emeya hyper-GT and Eletre hyper-SUV. The brand’s halo product is Evija, the world’s most powerful series production road car.

Lotus is unique in the automotive industry for its success in the world of track cycling, where its pioneering spirit and passion for pushing the boundaries is legendary. Type 108 rewrote the rule book on bike design and is recognised as one of the most iconic machines of all time, inspiring a generation of professional cyclists such as Sir Chris Hoy.

The six-time Olympic Champion is now a Lotus brand ambassador. Speaking at the world premiere of Type 136, he said: "This is an incredible bike, which says so much about the pioneering endeavours of Lotus and the iconic status of its bikes over the years. As a teenager I vividly remember watching Chris Boardman powering Type 108 to a gold medal in Barcelona in 1992 and smashing records on Type 110 to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France two years later.”

Feng Qingfeng, CEO, Lotus Group, commented: "I am proud to launch the Lotus Type 136 as the next chapter in our high-performance journey. For the past 75 years, Lotus has been relentlessly pushing the boundaries of innovation on the road and track. Type 136 shows that we continue to do so. Launching alongside Eletre, Emeya and Evija, it will further expand global perceptions of what to expect from Lotus.”

The Lotus Type 136 was unveiled at an exclusive VIP event at the Lotus London brand store and will be showcased at Rouleur LIVE in London from 2-4 November 2023.

Price information:

First Edition RRP £20,000 / €25,000

For More Information: https://www.lotuscars.com/en-GB/type-136

• Emeya recaptures the aesthetic of earlier iconic mid-engined Lotus designs whilst projecting the brand into a new market segment  
• Blades of light run across the interior and exterior of the car, demonstrating intelligence and technical design artistry 
• Signature design elements of Emeya taken directly from Evija, the Lotus all-electric hypercar 

London, UK – 24 October 2023  A single line, running through the profile of the car, from the tip of the nose to the blade of light integrated into the rear. A simple gesture from a creative mind, it’s the design origin behind Emeya, the all-new and all-electric hyper-GT from Lotus.

This single line – the automotive equivalent of a signature swoosh – inspired the ‘hyperstance’, proportions and overall design of Emeya. It seamlessly recaptures the aesthetic of earlier iconic mid-engined Lotus designs whilst carrying it into the future, emphasising dynamism, continuity and agility.

An iconic sports car brand launched in 1948, Lotus rose to fame for its performance-oriented, agile and fun-to-drive two-seaters including Elite, Elan, Esprit, Elise, Evora and, most recently, Emira. Now the brand is transforming.

Emeya draws inspiration from all 75 years of Lotus performance car DNA, whilst being a symbol of progression. It is the future of Lotus. The powerful exterior lines create dramatic musculature, with an ultra-narrow LED running across the rear as part of an intelligent taillight. It’s a theme that translates into the interior, with a further blade of light – and the ‘ribbon of technology’ first seen in the Eletre hyper-SUV – creating a shared user interface for Emeya’s front-seat occupants.

Ben Payne, Vice-President of Design, Lotus, said: “By combining progressive technologies with an aesthetic that draws from the past, Emeya takes us into the future, projecting Lotus into a new segment of the automotive landscape.”

Other signature design elements of Emeya share clear lineage from the Lotus Evija hypercar, and have already been seen in Eletre and the Emira sports car. Porosity, unlocked by eight vents, ensures air flows through the car to improve performance, battery cooling and range whilst creating a striking exterior design.

Emeya also boasts a low centre of gravity, which Lotus calls ‘hyperstance’. Positioning the battery between the wheels and close to the ground creates a true sports car look with a ‘cab-forward’ silhouette. The long wheelbase with short overhangs gives the impression that the wheels are at the corners, giving Emeya a more planted, dynamic stance. Bold muscular wheel arches are a Lotus signature that date back to road and race machines of the 1950s and 1960s, a pure design feature that emphasise Emeya’s performance heritage.

Led by light  

The Lotus Emeya hyper-GT features a unique daytime running light (DRL) design. The road presence of the car is significantly enhanced by this ultra-slim and sharp DRL layout. The headlamps stay almost hidden in the aperture beneath the DRLs, delivering a very clean front-end execution.

Emeya also boasts industry leading taillight technology and design, featuring the thinnest RGB dynamic LED rear light bar ever seen on any production car.

Bold and dynamic Interior

In the interior, a single blade of light runs round the cabin, creating a cocoon of progressive luxury for all occupants. The ultra-thin winglets which flow into the centre of the dashboard are a subtle nod to founder Colin Chapman’s famous passion for reducing weight everywhere, while also highlighting the design team's attention to contemporary craftsmanship.

All elements of the interior are designed and ergonomically developed with the same philosophy of lightness through form and materiality. Blending progressive performance and technical artistry, Emeya’s interior makes extensive use of durable repurposed fibres and advanced luxury materials.

Knurled metal on all interior touchpoints offers luxurious tactility, further enhancing the sense of refinement. Exposed carbon fibre elements bring the focus back to the brand's illustrious racing heritage, gently reminding occupants that Emeya is a performance car ‘For The Drivers’.

The creation process behind Emeya has made use of analogue and digital tools. The car was crafted physically using traditional methods, then refined digitally. A parallel process involved constant development of clay models, digitalisation, rework, refinement and review in physical and virtual environments, accelerating the speed and precision to which Lotus could bring Emeya to market.

The world-class design team is led by Ben Payne, Vice-President of Design at Lotus Group. Ben brings an extensive knowledge of automotive design and brand, having held influential roles at several premium car companies and creative agencies.

The global premiere of Emeya took place in the heart of New York City, USA, in September 2023 as part of Studio Emeya, a three-day immersive brand experience showcasing the past, present and future of Lotus.

Further information on Emeya will be released during Q4. Details on market availability and pricing will be announced at a future date.

• Lotus and Santander Consumer have entered an exclusive, multi-year agreement, providing new USA customers with dealer financing programs
• As the Lotus line-up begins to hit the ground in the US market, Santander Consumer will serve as the preferred provider of automobile financial services
• Santander Consumer will support Lotus by providing nationwide loan and lease options

Plymouth, MI and Dallas, TX – October 11, 2023

As Lotus continues to grow the brand and bring more of the impressive line-up to the market, the company has announced an exciting new agreement with Santander Consumer to provide new USA customers with dealer financing programs.

Santander Consumer will provide nationwide loan and lease options to Lotus customers and dealers with this exclusive, multi-year agreement.

“We are thrilled to embark on this partnership with Santander Consumer to provide financing options to customers in one of our largest markets,” said Ben Dodds, Chief Financial Officer, Lotus Cars. “Providing convenient options for our customers stays true to our brand promise to be ‘For the Drivers’, and we are excited to have them along with us on this journey as we deliver our new line-up.”

Santander Consumer’s new relationship with Lotus strengthens its leadership position in the US auto finance sector and builds on Santander’s existing auto financing relationship with Lotus across Europe.

“Our relationship with Lotus is a testament to our commitment to partnering with prestigious automotive companies, and providing superior experience for our dealers so they can offer financing to customers across the credit spectrum and drive sales,” said Betty Jotanovic, President of Auto Relationships at Santander Consumer. “We are thrilled to add Lotus to our portfolio of clients in the US and look forward to collaborating with their team and dealer body as they launch their new line-up in market.”

North America is a key market for Lotus, as the business expands globally. The company had over 44 stores in its retail network as of June 30, 2023, and plans to almost double its presence with 80 stores expected to open by 2025.

Lotus recently unveiled its first electric hyper-GT Emeya in New York City. The new car joins its electric hyper-SUV Eletre, as a flagship model in the Lotus line-up of luxury performance electric vehicles, which are part of its Vision80 strategy to become a global luxury technology brand by 2028.

Customer deliveries in the US are expected to begin in Q3 2024 for Eletre, and Emeya will be available in early 2025.

• New Lotus Paris store in world's fashion capital delivers immersive brand experience
• Venue plays host to European premiere of Emeya hyper-GT during Paris Fashion Week 2023
• Customer deliveries of Lotus Eletre hyper-SUV have started in Europe
• Lotus has further expanded its European sales network into three new countries: Denmark, Austria and Luxembourg

Paris, France – 27 September 2023  Lotus has opened the doors of a new flagship store in Paris, France. Located in the famous ‘Golden Triangle’ area of the world's fashion capital, it is in the perfect city centre location amongst other luxury and haute couture brand boutiques.

Following on from high-profile openings in London, Munich and Oslo, the new store in Paris brings together Lotus’ long-standing commitment to technology, performance and heritage by providing customers with an exclusive and immersive entry into the brand.

Lotus Paris is located at 33 Rue François 1er, close to the Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissement. It offers three floors dedicated to the brand's past, present and future. The ground floor serves as a street-level walk-in showcase and launch venue for the next-generation vehicle line-up – the Eletre hyper-SUV, Emira sports car, Evija hypercar and Emeya hyper-GT. Above, the first floor is dedicated to the brand's iconic heritage; conceived as an open-plan exhibition space and gallery, it will regularly display classic road and race cars from Lotus’ 75-year history.

Finally, the basement tells the story of the brand's ambition and its plans for the future. It also includes a VIP lounge and Virtual Reality configurator to help customers discover and personalise their own vehicles, with Lotus product experts on hand to support them.

To celebrate its opening, which takes place during Paris Fashion Week 2023, Lotus Paris will host the European premiere of Emeya. It is the company’s first four-door hyper-GT, unveiled earlier this month in New York.

Niels de Gruijter, Executive Director, Lotus Cars Europe, said: “This flagship store in Paris is a huge milestone and further proof of our ongoing commitment to transform Lotus into a world-class provider of all-electric, intelligent, luxury performance products.”

Lotus has started customer deliveries of Eletre hyper-SUV in Europe and has this month expanded its business across the continent, launching new commercial operations in Denmark, Austria and Luxembourg. With the addition of these three new countries, Lotus is now represented in 12 markets across Europe. Those are UK/Ireland, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.

Niels added: “Lotus has strengthened its European footprint and will continue to do so. The recent opening of flagship stores in London, Munich, Oslo and now Paris – plus our three new markets – is playing a key role in building both the Lotus brand and long-lasting relationships with our customers.”

For the opening of the store in Paris – also known as the City of Light for its pioneering use of public lighting in the 19th century – Lotus and digital artist Ksawery Kirklewski have united their talents and passions for retro-futurism to craft an immersive illuminated experience. Their collaboration has delivered an LED techno-chromatic spectacular around an Eletre hyper-SUV with the brand centre.

From Thursday 28 September Lotus Paris will be open to the public who can admire the new Lotus Emeya. It’s a luxury performance car which is setting a new benchmark for how a Lotus drives and feels by combining the company’s 75-year expertise in engineering and design, with the latest advanced innovations – bringing drivers an electric car that is exciting to drive and performs exceptionally.

Lotus brand stores form a key pillar in its global customer experience strategy, focused on building a direct relationship and creating unique, personalised experiences for customers. Lotus plans to launch further stores worldwide in key markets including Europe, Asia and the USA.

Amsterdam – 26 September 2023

Lotus today has announced the business has further expanded across Europe in Denmark, Austria, and Luxemburg. Customers will soon be able to purchase a Lotus vehicle from selected retailers in these markets.

With the addition of the three new countries added today, Lotus is now represented in 12 markets across Europe. Next to UK and Ireland, those also include Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.

Europe is a key market for Lotus, where the company has accelerated its growth over the last year. Lotus has opened several new Lotus branches and brand centres in the region. As of 30 June 2023, Lotus had 67 existing stores across Europe and plans to open 105 stores across Europe by 2025^*.

Niels de Gruijter, Executive Director, Lotus Cars Europe, said: "We are delighted to bring the thrill of owning a Lotus to customers in Denmark, Austria and Luxembourg. From our sportscar Emira, to our electric hyper-SUV Eletre, and our recently launched electric hyper-GT Emeya, we have a growing product portfolio that appeals to a broad audience. I can’t wait to see our cars on roads in these countries.” 

Lotus has continued to see an increasing demand for its products, with an orderbook of over 17,000 for its Emira sports car and Eletre hyper-SUV. The orderbook for Emira is full for the next two years. The company has ramped up production this year, having had a record-breaking first half of 2023, and expects the full year to surpass all previous sales years.

^* This includes self-owned, joint venture stores and partnership stores.

• Lotus delivers partnership with British luxury fountain pen brand Onoto, in celebration of the 75-year heritage of Lotus.
• This remarkable collaboration between Lotus and Onoto has resulted in the creation of an iconic limited-edition pen, made from aluminium sourced from Classic Team Lotus Formula One cars, adding a touch of British heritage to its design.
• Onoto pens are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts for their unique designs, superior performance, and unparalleled British craftsmanship.

London, UK – 21 September 2023  Lotus has today announced a unique collaboration with Onoto, the distinguished handcrafted, British luxury fountain pen brand, in celebration of the 75-year heritage of Lotus.  In 2023, Lotus reflects on 75 years of innovation and success, which have unquestionably helped shape the motoring and motorsport landscapes of today and have created some of the world’s most renowned and loved cars.

Both companies are dedicated to the highest levels of British craftsmanship and are thrilled to unite in this partnership. A milestone occasion, it provides an opportunity for Lotus to showcase its unwavering commitment to industry-leading excellence.

This exclusive collaboration between Lotus and Onoto has resulted in the creation of an iconic limited-edition pen, with a RRP of €3,785. With Aluminium being the principal material of choice for Lotus Cars, from the very first Lotus MK1 in 1948, the exquisite writing instrument is crafted using premium quality recycled aluminium sourced from historic Lotus Formula One cars. The aluminium has been sourced from significant car designs throughout the 75 years of Lotus, in particular the Type 72 which was one of its most successful and iconic Formula One cars, adding a touch of British heritage to the design.

The renowned "ACBC" personal monogram – the initials of Lotus Cars founder Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman (CBE), known to all as Colin Chapman – is showcased on the finial of the pen, enhancing its elegance. In honour of the remarkable history of Lotus, this writing tool is the perfect example of two exceptional brands coming together to create something truly unique and timeless.

Founded by Thomas De La Rue in 1905, Onoto produces exquisite writing instruments that combine traditional techniques with modern materials and innovative technologies. Over the course of the past century, Onoto has established itself as a symbol of excellence in British pen manufacturing and artistry. Each Onoto pen is hand-made by a small team of highly skilled jewellers and pen-masters. Esteemed figures, such as Winston Churchill, Florence Nightingale, and the respected Japanese writer Natsume Soseki, were counted among the brand's clientele.

Vice President of Group Lotus and Global Head of Lotus Life, Yingjia Yao says: "We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Onoto, a brand that shares our commitment to exceptional quality and innovative design. Their pens are a true testament to British craftsmanship, with remarkable attention to detail and visually appealing designs. As we embark on a new journey with Onoto, we're excited to work with our design team to shape a more sustainable world. We're thrilled to offer this collaboration to our valued customers and committed to advancing innovation for a brighter future."

Price information:

RRP €3,785

https://onoto.com/product/lotus-cars-75th-anniversary-pen/

London, UK - 21 September 2023  Lotus today has announced Victoria Tomlinson has joined the business as Executive Director of PR and Communications.

In her new role, Victoria will oversee global communications for Lotus Group, including its high-performance sports car business, Lotus Cars, and its all-electric, luxury vehicle unit, Lotus Technology.

Victoria will lead the global PR and communications strategy across the organisation’s key markets including UK, Europe, USA, Asia and MENA. She will also be responsible for scaling the global team and overseeing all product, corporate, consumer and employee communications.

By 2028, Lotus plans to grow the business into a global luxury performance brand, with the ambition to sell 150,000 electric vehicles annually. Victoria will play an integral role in driving forward the overall growth of the Lotus brand and narrative, reaching new audiences worldwide.

Victoria brings a wealth of experience building and amplifying communications plans globally to multiple audiences such as investors, consumers, businesses and government affairs for automotive and technology scale-ups. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President of Brand, Communications and Government Affairs at Arrival. Victoria led the company’s PR and IR communications strategy for its public listing in March 2021, which at the time was the UK’s largest ever IPO with a $8 billion float on Nasdaq. She has also held leadership roles at Roborace and Mind Candy.

Mike Johnstone, Chief Commercial Officer at Lotus Group, said: “The next five years are critical for the business, as we deliver on our promise to become a global luxury performance brand. We will begin launching new products and solutions worldwide, and Victoria brings key experience in this area and will play a crucial role in telling our story to new audiences.”

Commenting on her new role, Victoria said: “Lotus has ambitious plans to transform its entire product offering and scale globally in the next five years, and I can’t think of a more exciting time to join the business. It’s a real privilege to support and shape the communication of Lotus’ extensive heritage and its ambitious future plans.”

In 2018, Lotus announced its Vision80 strategy and plans to transform the brand from a heritage automotive company to an all-electric, intelligent, luxury mobility provider in the next ten years.

The company launched its first electric hyper-SUV Eletre last year, with customer deliveries taking place in China at the end of March 2023 and UK and Europe imminently. Lotus recently launched Emeya, its next generation electric hyper-GT, in early September 2023.

Lotus continues to see a huge demand for its products, with an orderbook of over 17,000 vehicles for its Emira sports car and Eletre hyper-SUV. Lotus has ramped up production this year, having had a record-breaking first half of 2023, with an 381% increase from FY22. It expects the full year to surpass all previous years.

• Emeya is the new electric grand tourer (GT) from Lotus, designed for the drivers. It brings together the company’s rich history, with sports car levels of performance and latest technologies.
• Emeya is one of the fastest electric GTs in the world, with acceleration of 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in under 2.8 seconds.
• Production is slated to begin in 2024. Emeya will join as a flagship model in the Lotus line-up of luxury performance electric vehicles.
• Lotus launched Studio Emeya, a three-day immersive experience in New York City to showcase the new flagship car. It will be open to the public on Saturday 9 September.
• Experience Emeya at https://youtu.be/Tq4l40KI_bg Featuring an original soundtrack from Burial, with spoken word from James Massiah.

New York City, NY – 7 September 2023

Lotus today has unveiled Emeya, the company’s first four-door hyper-GT, in New York City.

“Bringing together our rich heritage with intelligent performance and the latest cutting-edge technologies, we’re pushing the boundaries for how a luxury electric vehicle should look and handle– making it truly for the drivers,” said Feng Qingfeng, CEO, Lotus Group.  

Emeya is setting a new benchmark for how a Lotus drives and feels by combining the company’s 75-year expertise in engineering and design, with the latest advanced innovations – bringing drivers an electric car that is exciting to drive and performs exceptionally.

This includes advanced and active aerodynamic features such as the pioneering active front grille, rear diffuser and rear spoiler. All this, combined with a low centre of gravity that Lotus calls ‘hyperstance’, enhances stability when driving, and sets a new standard in the GT segment for ride and handling excellence.

Emeya has an electronically controlled air suspension system. Its advanced onboard sensors feel the road 1,000 times a second and automatically adjust the vehicle to ensure the smoothest ride. 

The top specification model for Emeya features Lotus’ high-power dual motor set-up that delivers a top speed of more than 155mph (250km/h) and can accelerate from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in under 2.8 seconds, making it one of the fastest electric GTs in the world.

To provide customers with confidence wherever they’re travelling, the performance of Emeya is complemented by Lotus’ market-leading charging capabilities. It can add 93 miles (150km) of range with approximately five minutes of charge using a 350kW DC fast charger, as well as boost range up to 80% within 18 minutes.

Emeya has been consciously designed with advanced sustainable materials that are also sustainably sourced, to reduce its carbon footprint. This includes a new luxury thread made from repurposed fibres from the fashion industry – as well as PVD aluminium, Alcantara, Nappa leather, and Ultrafabrics PU.

Ensuring that every occupant can enjoy an unrivalled music experience, the Emeya will offer a truly immersive audio system developed with KEF. Emeya’s speaker system will elevate music listening to new levels. It features KEF’s award-winning Uni-Q^® speaker design and Uni-Core™ space-saving subwoofer enclosure, as well as Dolby Atmos-enabled 3D surround sound – first seen in a Lotus on the Eletre Hyper-SUV.

“This is a Lotus like you have never seen before. We’ve built on everything Lotus has achieved so far to create a luxury performance car for the drivers, designed to inspire confidence, exhilarate with raw emotion and pure joy – connecting them to the road,” said Ben Payne, Vice-President of Design, Lotus Group.

Emeya brings together emotion and logic, power, and precision, and connects the strength of Lotus sports car DNA with four-door luxury and comfort. The name Emeya was chosen to embody the ambition and commitment which Lotus has for this new vehicle.

Emeya joins as a flagship model in Lotus’ line-up of luxury lifestyle electric vehicles, part of the company’s vision to become a global performance brand by 2028. Production is expected to begin in 2024.

The global premiere of the car took place in the heart of New York City, USA, as part of a three-day immersive brand experience showcasing the past, present and future of Lotus at Studio Emeya.

The activation took over four storeys of a parking lot in Manhattan, inviting attendees on Lotus’ journey and showcasing its rich heritage and experience. The event gave guests an exclusive look at how Emeya was created, and the emotion evoked by driving, before it culminated with an immersive reveal of the car and a rooftop party that saw DJ and radio presenter Benji B entertain crowds as they got up close and personal with Emeya.

Studio Emeya will be open for one day only to the public. To experience the event themselves on Saturday 9 September by registering at: https://StudioEmeya.eventbrite.com

Further information on Emeya will be released in Q4. Details on market availability and pricing will be announced at a future date.

• Eletre impressed guests on its US debut at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering
• A new breed of pure electric performance SUV, Eletre takes core principles from Lotus’ 75 years of sports car design and engineering
• Lotus also had two world debuts at Monterey Car Week – the Type 66 ultra-exclusive track-only Can-Am racer and F1 legend Jenson Button’s bespoke Lotus Evija hypercar

Monterey, California, USA – 21 August 2023

The Lotus Eletre hyper-SUV has made its public debut in North America at Monterey Car Week, taking centre stage at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering.

Visitors were thrilled to see the highly anticipated Eletre in Blossom Grey on the Lotus stand, commenting on the spaciousness and the incredible number of features included. The retail team received significant interest, kick-starting the push for customer deposits in advance of the Eletre launching in the USA market in 2024.

The first of a new breed of pure electric performance SUVs, the Eletre takes the core principles from 75 years of sports car design and engineering. It evolves the brand as a desirable lifestyle vehicle that is practical and spacious, while packed with the latest digital technology to make their driving life safer and more convenient. Eletre takes Lotus’ DNA of creating vehicles that people love to drive, and effortlessly combines it with the latest cutting-edge technology to create a vehicle that is fun to drive, as well as being comfortable enough for long-range road trips and city driving alike.

The Eletre is priced from £89,500 in the UK and €95,990 in Europe. The most premium versions are the Eletre S and Eletre R. The Eletre S is focused on customers seeking luxury. The enhanced specification over the base model includes additional features such as soft door close, privacy glass, active rear spoiler, configurable ambient lighting, illuminated side sills, air quality system, 2,160-watt 23-speaker KEF Reference Audio system, and 22-inch 10-spoke forged wheels in grey with a diamond-turned finish.

The flagship Eletre R is all about performance, and benefits from the Lotus Dynamic Handling Pack (comprising Intelligent Active Roll Control and Active Rear Steering), Carbon Pack, Pirelli P Zero performance tyres, and a gloss black finish for the wheels. There’s also a sixth Drive Mode: Track.

Lotus also celebrated its 75^th anniversary year with the world debut of Type 66 at both The Quail and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Bringing history back to life, the Type 66 is a stunning, track-only car with a limited production run of just 10 units. It reimagines a ‘lost Lotus’ drawing board programme from the brand’s world-renowned motorsport heritage, combining it with today’s state-of-the-art racing technology and components.

F1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi would have likely raced the car in the 1970s had it gone to production. He was at The Quail on Friday to help with the unveiling. “It’s been an honour to be a part of this reveal and share the Type 66 with the public,” he said. “I’m so happy to have had this opportunity.”

The final treat for Lotus’ fans was the reveal of Jenson Button’s bespoke Evjia electric hypercar.  His unique spec was chosen in consultation with the Lotus Design team and the special colour scheme pays tribute to his 2009 F1 World Championship-winning Brawn GP race car – Arctic White with Verve Yellow and Carbon Black accents.

In an F1 career spanning seasons 2006-2012, Button had 15 race victories. The aluminium strip that runs vertically through the driver’s seat centre has been laser-etched with the dates and locations of each of those wins – just one example of the attention to detail that Lotus can offer to Evija customers.

• F1 World Champion Jenson Button to show his pure electric Lotus Evija hypercar at ‘The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering’ on Friday 18 August
• Striking design and unique colour scheme pay tribute to racer’s 2009 Championship-winning Brawn GP car
• Lotus Evija power output is 2,039 PS – more than originally announced, confirming it as the most powerful series production road car ever
• The Quail will host another Lotus world premiere – an all-new performance car inspired by Lotus’ iconic racing heritage

Monterey, California, USA – 17 August 2023  F1 World Champion Jenson Button will debut his bespoke Lotus Evija at ‘The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering’ on Friday 18 August.

Like all examples of the Evija, Button’s car is completely bespoke and based on the spec which he chose in consultation with the Lotus Design team. The unique colour scheme pays tribute to his 2009 F1 World Championship-winning Brawn GP race car – Arctic White, with Verve Yellow and Carbon Black as accents. The number 22 is prominently displayed on the deployable door mirror housing, a nod to Jenson’s race number during that amazing season. It is also replicated on the interior door lining.

As an example of the attention to detail Lotus can offer Evija customers, the aluminium strip which runs vertically through the seat centre has been laser-etched with the date and location of every one of Jenson’s 15 F1 race wins. Spanning the seasons 2006-2012, it includes the six victories that helped him win the 2009 Championship.

Button, who will be on the Lotus stand at The Quail, commented: “The car looks sensational and in a colour scheme which means so much to me. The Lotus team has done an amazing job to deliver the design proposal we dreamed up together – they’ve created a real head-turner.”

Simon Lane, Director, Lotus Advanced Performance, added: “I’m delighted to be with Jenson in California as he reveals his Lotus Evija to the world for the first time. It’s a fantastic moment for the whole team, which has worked so hard to bring Jenson’s vision to life.”

The cabin of Jenson’s car is dominated by the white and black perforated leather seats, with an ebony Alcantara headliner and steering wheel. Lime Yellow contrast stitching is another bespoke feature and adds further eye-catching detail. The same colour has been used to enhance the look of the pedals, centre console rotary, start/stop button, steering wheel-mounted mode switch and air vent surrounds.

The brake calipers are Verve Yellow, housed in gloss black alloy wheels with magnesium matt black highlights. The centre-locking wheel nut is another motorsport-inspired feature of the Evija and is finished in anodised silver.

Personalisation of the Lotus Evija is a significant part of the customer experience, though all versions of the pure electric hypercar are identical in terms of powertrain and performance. At The Quail, the car’s power output was revealed as 1,500 kW / 2,039 PS – more than the 2,000 PS announced when the Evija was unveiled, and confirming it as the most powerful series production road car ever.

Visitors to The Quail will also be able to witness the unveiling of a thrilling all-new performance car that takes inspiration from Lotus’ iconic racing heritage, and see the US debut of the Lotus Eletre Hyper-SUV.

London, UK – 17 August 2023  Lotus today has announced the appointment of Ben Payne as Vice-President of Design at Lotus Group.

Ben most recently led the team responsible for the design development of the Eletre hyper-SUV, the company’s first vehicle beyond traditional sports cars, marking a key milestone for the business on its journey to become a global performance brand by 2028.

In his newly appointed role, Ben will oversee all design for the Lotus brand, working closely with group leadership and collaborate with the commercial team to drive forward the growth of Lotus. This will ensure design consistency, synergies and creative leadership across the whole brand.

Ben succeeds Peter Horbury, who passed away in June 2023.

Commenting on his new role, Ben Payne said: “Having worked extremely closely with Peter over the past five years, it was a privilege to call him a friend and great mentor in shaping global creative leadership and influencing my own design philosophy. It’s an honour to be taking on this new role, and I am excited to further elevate the brand globally.”

Feng Qingfeng, CEO at Lotus Group, said: “Lotus is renowned for its world-class design, and Ben has played a key role in ensuring our new lifestyle electric vehicles stay true to the heritage of the Lotus brand. We have ambitious plans to scale rapidly by 2028, and I look forward to working with Ben as we deliver new vehicles and expand into new markets.”

Ben brings an extensive knowledge of automotive design and brand, having held influential roles at Aston Martin and Bugatti, and has diverse consultancy experience with The Makkina.

In 2018, Lotus announced its Vision80 strategy and plans to transform the brand from a heritage automotive company to an all-electric, intelligent, luxury mobility provider by 2028 – when the business turns 80.  The company has seen a huge demand for its products, with an orderbook of over 17,000 vehicles for its Emira sports car and Eletre hyper-SUV. Lotus has ramped up production this year, already delivering Emiras to customers, and expects to deliver the Eletre to customers in the UK and Europe later this summer. The business had a record first half of the year for production and expects the full year to surpass previous sale years.

London, UK (10 August 2023)  Lotus today has announced the business had a record-breaking first half of 2023.  

Key achievements for the first six months to 30 June 2023 include: 

• Order book grew to approximately 17,000 vehicles worldwide for the Eletre, Lotus’ first electric lifestyle hyper-SUV, and Emira, a mid-engine sports car.  
• Produced over 2,200 Emiras in its UK sportscar manufacturing facility, which is a 381 percent increase   from FY22. The order book for Emira is full for the next two years. 
• Production of Lotus’ lifestyle hyper-SUV, Eletre, ramped up this year in its first all-electric vehicle factory. Customer deliveries began in China at the end of March, and Lotus expects to deliver to UK and European customers later this summer.  
• Lotus expanded its global retail network to 193 stores, opening 24 new outlets over the first half of 2023.  
• Expanded into South Korea, one of the largest luxury markets in the world, through a partnership to sell Lotus vehicles with the leading regional automotive retailer, Kolon Mobility Group. 
• Nine awards won globally including ‘SUV of the Year’ for Eletre at GQ Car Awards and ‘Best Performance Car’ for Emira at UK Car of the Year Awards.  
• Mike Johnstone joined the business as Chief Commercial Officer, bringing over 25 years of international experience in leading and growing automotive brands. He will be responsible for the Lotus’s global business and product strategy, as well as international expansion.  

Feng Qingfeng, CEO of Lotus Group said: “We set an ambitious goal in 2018, with the launch of our Vision80 strategy to transform the business from a traditional automotive brand to become an all-electric, luxury, mobility provider in ten years. We have spent the last few years laying the foundations for success and today’s announcement demonstrates that Lotus is no longer the same business that it has been in previous years. We are firmly on track to becoming a global performance brand by 2028.”  

Lotus plans to further ramp up production and sales for the second half of the year and expects the full year to surpass all previous years.  

London, UK – 2 August 2023  Lotus has announced Conor Horne has joined the business as Commercial Director of UK and Ireland.

In his new role, Conor will work closely with Lotus’ leadership team to further develop the company’s business development strategy, as well as identifying new opportunities for growth in the UK and Ireland.

By 2028, Lotus has ambitions to sell 150,000 vehicles annually, as part of its vision to become a global luxury performance brand. The UK and Ireland are both key European markets for the business and Conor will play an integral role in growing the brand and reaching new customers in these regions. 

Prior to joining Lotus, Conor was at Volvo, where he was responsible for launching and growing the organisation’s direct-to-consumer sales offering, as well managing Volvo’s recent move to agency sales in the UK. Conor brings a wealth of automotive experience with a focus on leading and operating traditional wholesale business models, in addition to direct-to-consumer sales.

The company recently opened Lotus London, its first European global brand centre in Mayfair, London. This is part of Lotus’ global customer experience strategy, focused on building a direct relationship and creating unique, personalised experiences for consumers. The business plans on growing its retail distribution network to 105 stores in Europe by 2025. Conor will lead the rollout of further stores in the UK and Ireland.

Mike Johnstone, Chief Commercial Officer at Lotus Group, said: “As Lotus continues to scale globally, Conor brings strong experience in business development, which will help us scale the brand and grow our customer base in the UK and Ireland.”

Commenting on his new role, Conor said: “Lotus has a world-class team, industry-leading technologies and a strong heritage, which combined has enormous potential. I look forward to building our presence and unlocking new growth opportunities in the UK and Ireland, as the company delivers its vision to become a global luxury performance brand.”

Lotus announced its Vision80 strategy in 2018 with plans to transform the brand into an all-electric intelligent, luxury mobility provider by 2028 – when the business celebrates its 80th anniversary. Lotus began delivering on its promise with the debut of the Eletre last year. It has started production for the vehicle and expects to deliver to customers in the UK and Europe later this summer.

• Lotus’ first flagship European brand centre opens to showcase the brand’s latest cars and lifestyle products
• This marks a major milestone for Lotus as it transforms to a global performance brand

London, UK – 1 August 2023  Lotus has today opened the doors to its first flagship European global brand centre in Mayfair, London.

Lotus London can be found at 73 Piccadilly, at the heart of luxury, art and culture in the capital city. It brings together Lotus’ long-standing commitment to technology, performance and heritage by providing customers with an exclusive and immersive entry into the Lotus brand.

The store offers a VIP lounge and bespoke digital experience – where customers can personalise their own vehicles – with experts on hand to support them. In addition, the store will act as a gallery for the brand, regularly displaying classic car designs from its 75-year rich history, from F1 to icons of the silver screen.

Lotus London will serve as a showcase and launch venue for the latest vehicles and products, including the next-generation vehicle line-up; the Eletre hyper-SUV, Emira sports car and Evija hypercar. Customers will also be able to purchase Lotus merchandise in-store, as well as other co-branded products. For example, Lotus and KEF recently announced the new LS60 Wireless floor speakers, and these are now available to purchase at Lotus London.

This is the brand’s first digitally driven flagship showroom in Europe, a 'Hyper Space' which embodies Lotus’ vision to become a global performance brand. In 2018 Lotus revealed Vision80 and its plans to transform the brand from a heritage automotive company to an all-electric, intelligent, luxury mobility provider by 2028 – when the business turns 80.

Brand centres form a key pillar in the business’s global customer experience strategy, focused on building a direct relationship and creating unique, personalised experiences for consumers. Lotus plans to launch further stores worldwide in key markets including Europe, Asia and the US.

Mike Johnstone, Chief Commercial Officer at Lotus Group, said: “The opening of our new store demonstrates our commitment to transform Lotus to a global luxury performance brand. We have seen a huge demand for our products and have ambitious plans to scale rapidly by 2028. Brand centres around the world will play a key role in building both the Lotus brand and long-lasting relationships with our consumers.”

Lotus began delivering its Vision80 promise with the world premiere of the Eletre last year. It has started production for the vehicle and expects to deliver to customers in the UK and Europe later this summer.

• Second-generation Hope-Lotus bike features revised front forks and handlebars and the HBT Paris Frame, developed by Hope Technology 
• Inspired by fighter jets, the fork’s serrated edge creates smoother airflow around the rider 
• The fork uses the same high-grade carbon fibre and manufacturing process as the Lotus Evija hypercar 
• Competitive track debut in August at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland

London, UK – 28 July 2023  The second-generation Hope-Lotus track bike, unveiled today, has been meticulously designed and optimised to deliver improved track performance at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. 

Lotus Engineering has collaborated with the Great Britain Cycling Team (GBCT), Hope Technology and Renishaw to evolve the Tokyo 2020 track bike which contributed to the track team winning seven Olympic medals and topping the event medal table. 

Lotus and GBCT have developed the cockpit of the bike, evolving the unique front fork and handlebar design to allow for greater aerodynamic efficiency. This is coupled with the Hope HBT Paris frame which includes refinements to the headstock and seat stays. Renishaw has provided support in design and production of wind tunnel models and other crucial components on the final bike.  

GBCT has been testing the bike rigorously on track and in a wind tunnel, working alongside the Lotus team to optimise the forks and handlebars ahead of its competitive track debut next month at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. 

Richard Hill, Chief Aerodynamicist at Lotus, was responsible for the design of the Lotus 108 Olympic track bike and 110 Tour De France bike in the nineties and has continued to play a pivotal role in both the Tokyo Olympic track bike and now, the 2024 Hope-Lotus Olympic track bike. 

Lotus Engineering has played to its strengths of optimised aerodynamics, advanced materials, lightweighting and engineering innovation to help guide the bike’s cockpit development. It has applied learnings made over 75 years in vehicle dynamics to improve front-end feel and stiffness to enhance rider confidence. Additional evolution of the components creates the sensation that the bike is carving through air, a signature element of the aerodynamic design found in the new Lotus vehicle line-up.   

The unique patented, wide element fork design, introduced at the Tokyo Olympic Games, continues to reduce drag and break the air flow in front of the rider. Taking inspiration from fighter jet design, the fork has a new serrated edge that allows for smoother airflow around the rider. Customisable handlebars help riders to achieve a more efficient aero position for longer races, whilst an enhanced integration with the fork further reduces drag. 

To guarantee lightness, the composite fork is crafted from the same high-grade carbon fibre and single-cure manufacturing process as the Lotus Evija hypercar. A combination of carbon fibre and 3D-printed metals is used to optimise aerodynamics, ergonomics, structural integrity and lightweighting. 

More than 150 hours of wind tunnel testing and advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation has helped to create significant aerodynamic gains. This testing was instrumental in optimising the airflow around the legs of the rider to reduce drag.  

Mark Stringer, Commercial Director, Lotus Engineering said:  

“Lotus is proud to have again played its part in helping British Cycling push the boundaries of sporting performance in the quest for Olympic medals. It’s the perfect demonstration of our ability to transfer the skills and knowledge we’ve gained through 75 years of automotive development to bring a new perspective to other industries. Through the deployment of our expertise, innovation, tools, techniques and processes developed to engineer high-performance Lotus cars, we’ve been able to deliver efficiencies to give British track riders the best possible opportunity for success.” 

Lotus has a successful history in cycling through its Lotus Engineering division. Innovations include the early Lotus sports bikes used by cycling legend Chris Boardman in the nineties, the iconic Lotus type 108 in the noughties, through to the Hope-Lotus collaborations. 

Stephen Park CBE, Performance Director for the Great Britain Cycling Team, said: 

“Our relationship with Lotus Engineering, Hope Technology and Renishaw is going from strength to strength. Their combined high quality manufacturing standards, renowned lightweight design, aerodynamic efficiency and their keen eye for finer details help us to unlock valuable marginal gains, which make all the difference come race day. This is the most advanced bike that has ever been ridden by British athletes.”   

• First UK customers get behind the wheel of Eletre, the much-anticipated all-electric hyper-SUV from Lotus
• Test drive event was held in conjunction with the Goodwood Festival of Speed
• Visit  www.lotuscars.com and register to be kept informed of further UK test drives

Hethel, UK – 14 July 2023  Lotus has held its first ever UK test drives for its hyper-SUV – the Lotus Eletre – at the Goodwood Motor Circuit yesterday.

Potential customers were able to experience the hyper-SUV’s exceptional performance and immersive digital cockpit, as part of a new electric vehicle experience staged in conjunction with the Festival of Speed.

Initial feedback on the Eletre was overwhelmingly positive, with drivers praising the car’s seamless and swift acceleration, precise handling and dynamic capabilities. Their comments mirror those of global motoring media, who published their first reviews of the luxury SUV earlier this week.

Mr M, who has an Eletre R on order commented: “The luxury interior is astounding; the whole cabin is incredible. The driving experience is so light and responsive with brilliant visibility, it really clings to the road. Instant acceleration, super luxury, enjoyment personified. I can’t wait for my Eletre R to arrive.”

Ms T said, “Driving the Eletre was top of my list today, I visited one of the Eletre presentations at the end of last year, but I have to say driving it has really made up my mind. Well done Lotus!”

Mr A commented, “I am blown-away by the car! The sound system is mind-blowing and the drive experience was excellent!”

Mr & Ms said, “We absolutely loved the Eletre and we're delighted we've had the chance to drive it today. The car was more than we could have hoped for. It has that Lotus spirit and it’s exciting to drive.”

The Lotus Eletre is the first of a new breed of pure electric performance SUVs. It takes the core principles and Lotus DNA from 75 years of sports car design and engineering, evolving them into a desirable lifestyle vehicle.

It is aimed at a new generation of Lotus customers; those who value the world-class dynamic performance and striking design which have always been part of the Lotus experience, and who also need a practical, versatile and spacious family-focused vehicle – one that is packed with the latest digital technology to make their driving life safer and more convenient.

The Eletre is a true Lotus. It takes the heart and soul of the latest Lotus sports car, the Emira, and the revolutionary aerodynamics of the all-electric Evija hypercar and reinterprets them as a hyper-SUV. It delivers class-leading ride and handling, steering and aero performance – areas of automotive design and engineering where Lotus has both pioneered and dominated throughout its 75-year history in road and race cars. It is also the epitome of beautiful design, efficient and elegant engineering solutions, advanced materials, innovation and ingenuity.

First customer deliveries of the hyper-SUV are expected in the coming months.  Sign up now to experience the critically acclaimed Lotus Eletre via: https://www.lotuscars.com/en-GB/eletre/newsletter-sign-up