The CEO of Lotus confirms the development of an SUV and a sports saloon for 2020

Lotus will launch two new models from 2020 onwards: an SUV and a sports saloon.

Phil Popham became CEO of Lotus during 2018 and since then has been involved in building a new product plan in which two new models are very likely to arrive: an SUV and a saloon.

The new CEO of Lotus has stated that the brand will leave the sports niche it has occupied since its founding 70 years ago. Popham has said it will launch an SUV and a sports saloon that preserve Lotus’s lightweight tradition.

Lotus, a 180º turn?

Popham has pointed out that they are developing a new sports car that will see the light of day at the end of 2020. It will not be a production car but it aims to revolutionise the market. Construction has begun at the brand’s facilities in Hethel, England, and it will have “everything expected of a Lotus in terms of DNA”.

Besides the future sports SUV and saloon, the English brand would be investing in a new platform that will be able to develop new models. In addition, Lotus would be trying to develop different types of propulsion, electric included.

Alliance between Lotus and Geely

Lotus will remain in the United Kingdom but will use the engineering of Geely. Although Lotus is growing continuously, it is also contracting engineering work packages from Geely.

In the future models of Lotus the resources of the automotive group will be used. Although the English manufacturer cannot produce its own engines, it will continue to fit modified Toyota engines.

Although the group is investing in autonomous technology, it is very unlikely that Lotus will use it, since its goal is to build a car for the driver and to create a unique driving experience.

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The future SUV of Lotus

The future SUV of Lotus would reach the market in 2020 and, according to the brand’s CEO, it will be a car with sporty lines but intended for everyday use. It can be said that the new SUV of Lotus will be neither a Lotus Exige, nor a Lotus Elise, nor an Lotus Evora.

Some sources claim the future SUV could be built on the platform used in the Tesla Roadster. Furthermore, after the agreement signed with Williams at the beginning of the year, Lotus could be working on electrifying its models.

It is important to point out that Williams already has experience with electric cars, having developed units to compete in Formula E.