Issue 001 of TYPE is OUT NOW! The first copies have started landing on founding member and early access subscribers’ doormats. Thank you to our contributors, advertisers, subscribers, and all of the Lotus owners we’ve met along the way.
Regular subscribers’ copies will be posted next week, so there’s still time to receive your copy by the end of the month if you haven’t already signed up. Link in bio.
We hope you enjoy the read. Please share images, spread the word, and tag us in any posts/stories - we can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
#typemagazine #issue001 #lotuscars #lotusfans
Petrol lovers rejoice! A V8-powered Lotus is coming. We may only have one image of the Type 135 for now, but the fact that Lotus is re-committing to the internal combustion engine (with hybrid assistance) is cause for celebration. Beyond the rear-view teaser image we’ve all drooled over for the past 24 hours, what can the Theory 1 tell us about Lotus’ new supercar?
Viewed side-by-side, the rear of the Type 135 and Theory 1 are near-identical, save for the loud-pipes. However, despite what some of the online mockups may suggest, we’re pretty confident the rest of the ‘new Esprit’ won’t be a carbon copy of the Theory 1, in much the same way that the Emira wasn’t a shrunk-down Evija.
So what do we know? For a start, it’s clear to see that the Type 135 makes use of the same chopped carbon fibre showcased on the Theory 1. As well as looking fantastic, it’s a big signal as to the lightweight ambitions of this car. We expect to see some of the other lightweight innovations from the Theory 1 making their way into production too, including laser lighting technology and 3D printed lattice structures. As for the central seat? Unlikely. Lotus are almost certainly pitching the Type 135 against usable, high-end Porsches, Ferraris and McLarens, rather than the GMA T.50.
Like you, we can’t wait to see (and hear) more of the Type 135. In the meantime, its launch date (2028) all but confirms that the Type 134 (Lotus’ smaller SUV) will arrive before then – a car that will be critically important in terms of generating sales for the marque. Expect a mix of 4cyl-hybrid and battery electric options at a lower price point than the Eletre. What’s more, Lotus have confirmed that a lighter, more powerful version of the Emira will be revealed soon. Exciting times.
#lotystype135 #type135 #theory1 #typemagazine
Each week, we shine the spotlight on a TYPE subscriber. This week, meet Mike Jeeves and his Emira V6 First Edition in Verdant Green over tan, as well as his colour-coordinated canine companion...
“I’ve always been drawn to Lotus because of the focus on driver involvement over outright numbers, and that’s exactly what led me to the Emira. It carries that lightweight, driver-focused DNA, but with a level of usability that means I actually use it regularly rather than saving it for special occasions.
“I chose a green over tan specification, which to me just feels right for a Lotus. It has that classic British look that suits the car perfectly, whether it’s parked up in West London or out on country roads in places like the Cotswolds.
“The first thing that struck me was the steering. There’s a level of feedback and precision that you just don’t get in most modern cars. You feel exactly what the front end is doing, which builds confidence and makes even familiar roads feel engaging again.
“I tend to drive it in Track mode, which really brings the chassis to life. The balance is what stands out, you can feel the rear move progressively and predictably, and it’s very easy to manage. There’s a playful side to the car, but it never feels intimidating, just adjustable and rewarding when you get it right.
“What I enjoy most is how it makes every drive feel like an occasion. It’s not about chasing speed, it’s about the communication through the controls and the sense that you’re properly involved in the experience. Even short journeys feel more interesting, and I often find myself taking the long way home just for the sake of it.
“It’s also surprisingly usable day to day. My toy poodle, Ralph, is a regular passenger and seems to enjoy it just as much as I do, which probably says a lot about how approachable the car is despite how focused it feels.
“It’s not just a fast car, it’s one that constantly reminds you why you enjoy driving in the first place.”
#typemagazine #lotusemira
ISSUE 001 FIRST LOOK
For our first front cover, we wanted an image that spoke not only of beginnings, but also of the adventures our incredible cars can take us on.
This carbon-bodied Sport 190 was its owner’s very first car and wears the perfect plate for our inaugural issue. Driving this race car for the road to Monaco - the ultimate street circuit - served up an unforgettable adventure to kick start our journey in print.
Issue 001 is shipping to Founding Members and Early Access Subscribers very soon. Subscribe today (link in bio) to make sure you get your hands on a copy by the end of the month.
After all, there’s nothing more collectible than a first edition…
Cover photo by @alpinetracks
#type #lotus #elise #carmag #printdesign
The differences between Lotus’ lightweight sports cars and its new generation of lifestyle EVs may seem like night and day, but there’s more to the Emeya 600 than meets the eye - dynamically and historically.
Issue 001 of TYPE launches very soon. Subscribe today to guarantee your copy - link in bio.
Photography by @the.2nd.phase
#type #lotus #carmag #forthedrivers
Each week, we shine the spotlight on a TYPE subscriber. This week, meet Mark Austin, whose 1ZR Elise has been a revelation on track, and has inspired him to delve deeper into the Lotus community.
“My journey into Lotus ownership began last summer after moving on from a 2016 MX-5. While the Mazda was a great introduction to RWD, I wanted a platform that was truly track-capable out of the box without the need for endless modifications. The Elise S3 fit that bill perfectly. I was immediately drawn to this particular Elise for its Ardent Red finish and the Lotus Stage 2 sports exhaust, which gives the 1ZR engine the vocal character the chassis deserves.
“A standout memory for me was a recent session at Oulton Park. I had a ‘lightbulb moment’ realising that while much more powerful cars were having to brake heavily for the technical sections, I could simply glide through and carry momentum. It confirmed that I wasn’t just driving a faster car, but one with a level of chassis balance that the power-focused cars simply couldn’t match.
“For me, this car is about ‘seat time over shelf life.’ I believe these cars are at their most beautiful when they’re loaded up mid-corner, honouring the ‘simplify, then add lightness’ philosophy by using the chassis exactly as Hethel intended.
“My obsession goes beyond the driver’s seat; I also spend my time building websites for independent Lotus specialists in the U.K. It’s given me a unique look behind the curtain at the incredible network of experts who keep this brand alive, and it makes the time I spend on track in my own Elise feel even more rewarding.”
Photography by @jamesrobertsphoto & @msvtrackdays
#lotuselises3 #lotustrackdays #typemagazine
Limited edition run for @typelotus with illustration by Julian Thomson. The first issue of TYPE magazine is out this month and t-shirts are available on their website now. 20% of every sale is heading to @centrepointuk
Last week had a distinctly gold flavour. We dropped into the @lotuscars IN PROGRESS exhibition at Milan Design Week to get a closer look at the black & gold Theory 1, before road-tripping to the Dolomites to meet up with Elisa Artioli and her Championship Gold Sport 240 - the final customer Elise ever built.
Helping us cover the miles in comfort was the Eletre 600, courtesy of @lotusmiauto , which earned a gold medal for ‘the best car I’ve ever taken rolling shots from’ by our photographer, @the.2nd.phase 🥇
Full stories on the Theory 1 and Elisa Artioli coming to TYPE, issue 002.
#lotus #elise #type
V6 SE or Turbo SE? In issue 001 we test both Emiras back-to-back in the hills of South Wales. Both 400bhp, ICE and supremely well balanced. Which are you taking?
Subscribe today to guarantee your copy of issue 001 and grab 10% off using code TYPE10 by the 30th April.
Each week, we shine the spotlight on a TYPE subscriber. This week, meet Californian Brett Campbell who loved his V6-powered Lotus so much, he bought another...
“Why Lotus? Because even on the hottest day of the year, inching along the 405 in peak traffic with the sun in my eyes, two nails in the tire, and just five miles of fuel left (while the nearest gas station is six miles away), you’d still see me smiling to myself, wondering how a car could make a bad day this good.”
Photography by @bryanlikescarss
#lotusevoragt #lotusemirafirstedition #typemagazine #lotusamerica
Lotus has always held a unique position in the automotive sector. Part underdog, part innovator, the marque has always punched above its weight. It was fitting then, that the lawns of the Royal Hospital Chelsea were brimming with Lotus cars old and new last week, rubbing shoulders with hyper and classic car royalty at @salonpriveuk .
From Type 45 to Type 131, the Lotus Drivers Club displayed an incredible selection of members’ cars. Also in attendance were @analogue_auto and @encor.design , showcasing their brilliant, reimagined Elises and Esprit - demonstrating, once again, how these lightweight masterpieces can still go toe-to-toe with the most prestigious brands in the world.
Photography by @the.2nd.phase
#type #salonprive #lotus
