Lotus is changing course with the upcoming Type 135 Esprit. Originally envisioned as an all-electric sports car, the new Esprit will instead combine electrification with combustion power as market demand shifts toward lighter, more engaging performance cars.

The range-topping version will use a 986-hp / 1,000-PS hybrid V8, while a lighter hybrid V6 will provide a more track-focused alternative. Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng says the V6 model is targeting a curb weight below 3,307 lbs / 1,500 kg. The mid-engine sports car measures around 176.8 inches / 4.49 meters long.

Its entry-level hybrid setup pairs a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 developed by Horse, the Geely-Renault powertrain joint venture, with 536 hp / 543 PS and 516 lb-ft / 700 Nm of torque. The new Esprit is expected to debut fully in 2028.

The hybrid strategy could help Lotus meet strict European emissions requirements without turning its sports car into a heavyweight EV. In other words, “add lightness” now comes with a few extra electrons.

Does a hybrid V6 still honor Colin Chapman’s philosophy? Can Lotus maintain its prestige with Geely-Renault engines? Will the new Esprit eventually replace the Emira as the ultimate modern Lotus?