When Lotus introduced the Elise mid-engined sports car in 1996, the model embodied the company’s ethos of “adding lightness” like almost no other Lotus before it and weighed under 1,600 pounds. The model evolved over time and was kept in production until 2021 when Lotus said it would get an EV replacement in 2026.

Work on the future electric sports car codenamed Type 135 was already underway when the Elise was phased out. Lotus then announced it was pushing back the launch of the model to 2027.

Now even that seems uncertain as per Lotus Group design boss Ben Payne, who recently talked to Autocar about the upcoming electric sports car.

Payne said current EV batteries make cars too heavy, which is something that just wouldn’t be suitable for a Lotus sports car, even an electric one. He said “the technology right now does not really allow you to recreate that product in a convincing way,” noting that it’s much easier to make a larger, taller vehicle electric. In contrast, an electric sports car is much harder to create given the size and weight constraints that it imposes.

He went on to explain that “the archetype of the moment is the larger, higher product, because you can very simplistically package the required technical elements into that size of vehicle more easily.” When asked whether this means Lotus would miss the 2027 launch deadline for the electric sports car, which would not only serve as a replacement for the Elise but also the current Emira, he declined to give a definitive answer, saying that it was still “100% possible” to have the vehicle ready by then. However, “it’s a difficult job.”

Lotus may want to keep its future electric sports car light, but it has no problem selling heavy EVs made in China under its brand. The Lotus Eletre electric SUV weighs about 5,800 pounds, while the Emeya electric sedan weighs just under 5,500 pounds—making it around 500 pounds heavier than its rival, the Porsche Taycan Turbo.

The electric sports car scene should be populated by many enticing models in 2027, with the launch of the electric Porsche 718, the Polestar 6, the production version of the Toyota FT:Se and the Caterham Project V. The latter may have parts from other manufacturers but is still expected to weigh just over 2,600 lbs. One way Caterham kept the Project V so light was by giving it a relatively small 55-kilowatt-hour battery pack, which is expected to provide 249 miles of WLTP range (closer to 200 miles on the EPA test cycle).

Lotus could also keep the pounds off by giving the electric sports car a small battery. The car won’t be as small as the Elise we know, though, so it won’t have to go down the same route as Nyobolt with its electric reinterpretation of the classic Elise, which will have a small 35 kWh battery good for a claimed 155 miles on one charge.

The Lotus Type 135 will be built in the UK on a new dedicated electric sports car platform that is 37% lighter than what the manufacturer uses in the Emira. It can take battery packs ranging in capacity from 66.4 kWh to 99.6 kWh both in the floor and behind the seats and it allows for two- or four-seater configurations.

The Lotus Elise⁤ has long been hailed as a benchmark in the ‌sports car industry, ⁢revered for⁢ its exceptional driving​ dynamics and ⁢lightweight engineering. However, ‌in recent years, the future of the iconic ​model has ​been called into question. With the increasing emphasis on electrification⁢ in the automotive industry, many have wondered whether an electric successor ​to ⁤the Elise might be in the works. Unfortunately, it appears that ​such⁣ a vehicle may be off the ‍table for now.

Lotus, ‍the British automaker ⁣behind the⁤ Elise, has‌ made significant strides in recent years to embrace electric technology. The company’s Evija hypercar, unveiled in 2019, is a⁢ testament to Lotus’s commitment to ‌electrification. With its jaw-dropping performance ‍figures and cutting-edge technology, the Evija ⁣has been heralded‌ as a⁢ game-changer in‍ the⁢ world of electric sports cars. ‍However, despite this bold step into the electric realm, it seems that ‍Lotus has no immediate plans⁤ to introduce an⁤ electric⁣ successor to the Elise.

One of the main reasons why an electric‍ Lotus Elise successor ⁣may be off ​the ‍table⁣ for now ⁣is cost. Developing a new electric vehicle ⁣from the ground ⁣up is a⁤ costly and time-consuming endeavor,​ requiring significant investment in research and development. Lotus, a relatively small automaker⁤ compared ‌to industry giants like Tesla and BMW, ⁢may simply not ‍have‌ the resources to undertake such⁤ a project at this time. Instead, the company ⁢may be ​focusing its efforts on⁤ more accessible models, such⁤ as the upcoming ⁢Emira sports ⁤car.

Another factor that ​may be influencing ​Lotus’s decision is‍ the current state ‌of the electric vehicle market. While electric ⁣cars are becoming increasingly popular, they still represent a relatively small ​segment of the overall​ automotive industry. This limited market demand ⁢may make it difficult for Lotus to justify the expense⁤ of developing an electric Elise successor, especially when the‌ company’s existing lineup‍ is already well-received by enthusiasts and critics alike.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding⁢ the future of the Lotus Elise, fans of the iconic sports car can take comfort in ‌the fact that the model is not going ⁣away anytime⁤ soon.⁣ The Elise remains ⁣a staple of Lotus’s lineup, known for its unparalleled driving experience and timeless design. While an ‌electric successor may not be​ in ‌the cards for‌ now, the Elise’s legacy ​will undoubtedly⁤ continue⁣ to inspire generations of drivers for years to come.

In conclusion, while the idea​ of an electric Lotus Elise successor ‍may be enticing, it seems‌ that such a ⁣vehicle is unlikely ‍to materialize in the near future. Lotus’s focus on⁣ more accessible ⁤models and the challenges associated with developing a new electric vehicle are key factors⁢ that may be influencing the company’s decision. Despite this, the Elise remains a beloved icon in ‌the world of sports cars,‌ ensuring that ⁣its legacy will‌ endure for years to come.