Lotus just killed its entire model lineup. No more Elise, Exige, and Evora after 2021. Those three models have been around for years and are finally being put out to pasture for the new sports car it will debut in the summer. This will be the last gas-powered vehicle from Lotus before embracing electrification.

Elise, Exige, and Evora, have carried the Lotus torch for over a decade

When you look back on Elise, Exige, and Evora, they lasted a lot longer than we remembered. The Evora first appeared in 2009. It is the only Lotus still available in the US. The Elise is based on the original that came out in 2001. It was facelifted in 2010 but is essentially the same vehicle. In all Lotus has produced a combined 55,000 units of the three models. 

Lotus has had some bumpy times related to ownership and management. After a rocky period owned by Proton, things began to smooth out in 2017 when Geely became the majority shareholder. The slick-looking Evija is a product of this latest Geely era. 

With the news of the end of the current Lotus model production, came this teaser photo of what the future holds for Lotus. Per the release: “To acknowledge the forthcoming family of performance cars, Lotus has released an image that hints at the new generation of products that will follow Elise, Exige, and Evora, which have entered their final year of production in 2021.”

The teaser image represents a number of known Lotus projects

The covered cars represent a number of known projects starting with the last gas-powered sports car. From comments by management, this Lotus will be priced around $75,000 and be able to be a comfortable daily driver-type of car. Next will be the “Type 131.” 

This will be powered by a hybrid V6 arrangement with a price above $100,000. That puts it above Evora territory price-wise. An SUV is also forthcoming though its development seems a little slow. In all Lotus seems to be busy with new vehicle development which should begin to be better seen come summer.

“Lotus has emerged from 2020 strong and on track”

Lotus just spent almost $140 million on its Norfolk, UK, facilities in anticipation of the surge of new models. “Despite the continuing global challenges Lotus has emerged from 2020 strong and on track in the delivery of our Vision80 business plan,” says CEO Phil Popham. The “Vision80” plan is one that charts the company’s expansion plans over the next several years.

To send off the three Lotus models it plans on creating “a full program of activities.” Nothing has been revealed yet but we look forward to seeing how Lotus sends off its well-served models.