√2023 Lotus Envya: Type 133 electric four-door spied for the first time

Spy photos of the Type 133 have emerged online, with trademark filings suggesting the Taycan-fighter will be named the Lotus Envya.

The first images of the electric ‘four-door coupe’ from Lotus – codenamed Type 133 – have appeared on Chinese social media website Weibo, ahead of the car’s launch net year.

The two prototypes wear heavy camouflage as they begin on-road testing following the Type 133’s development at the company’s new multibillion-dollar facility in Wuhan, China.

Despite the camouflage, the front end appears to echo the design language seen on the Lotus Eletre SUV, while the rear pillarless door shows a sloping roof line – confirming the Lotus will adopt a ‘four-door coupe’ shape like the electric Porsche Taycan.

Trademarks hint Lotus Envya will be the name given to the company’s upcoming electric sedan, referred to internally as the Type 133.

Unlike the shadowy teaser shown in September 2021, the production version now uses traditional side mirrors rather than cameras.

Lotus hasn’t hidden the fact that it has Porsche in its crosshairs, with the Emira being a direct competitor to the 718 Cayman and 911, the Eletre designed to go up against the Cayenne SUV, and the Envya to take on the Taycan.

Earlier this year, Lotus trademarked the names Envya and Etude, with many tipping the former will be applied to the new four-door coupe, while the latter will be given to either the brand’s smaller SUV – which is expected to fight the Porsche Macan – or upcoming electric sports car.

The four-door Type 133 will likely be offered with battery packs between 92kWh and 120kWh in capacity, with range-topping variants said to be capable of 0-100km/h times of less than three seconds.

Full specifications and delivery times will be confirmed when Lotus unveils the Type 133 in 2023.

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