This platform will form the core of future Lotus electric vehicles

Lotus has revealed a new, lightweight structure that will underpin its future electric vehicles.

The new structure has been developed through Project Lightweight Electric Vehicle Architecture (LEVA), announced in October 2020 by Lotus. Project LEVA is a research programme that's accelerating the development of all-new lightweight structures for next-generation battery electric vehicles.

The versatile architecture supports multiple layouts, wheelbase lengths, and battery sizes

Thanks to the innovation of Lotus and the Project LEVA partners, the rear structure of the new platform is 37% lighter than the one on the Lotus Emira V6.

Three possible vehicle layouts from the platform have also been identified, with the first, a two-seater, able to house a 66.4kWh battery and offer up to 469bhp of power from a single electric drive unit.

The second identified application will be for another two-seater, but this time offering a battery capacity of up to 99.6kWh and a maximum power of 872bhp from two electric drive units, courtesy of a slightly longer wheelbase.

A 2+2 is configuration is also in the books, with 66.4kWh battery and the option of having either one or two electric drive units.

The innovative new subframe features cylindrical battery cells for high energy density. Cold cure, spot bonding and advanced weld processes mean reduced environmental impact during assembly.