Lotus and Alpine announced that they will no longer be working together to develop electric sports cars for their respective lineups. However, both automakers remain open to future collaborations. The decision to part ways was mutual and reached amicably. The news was first reported on Monday by Automotive News and follows a previous report by Bloomberg suggesting that Alpine wanted to develop its electric sports car on its own.
Lotus and Alpine had first announced their plans to jointly develop electric sports cars in 2021, after signing a Memorandum of Understanding. Lotus was chiefly responsible for developing the platform which was to be used for a Lotus model code-named the Type 135, and for Alpine’s successor to the current A110. The Lotus is rumored to be a successor to the Elise. Both Lotus and Alpine had previously stated that they planned to launch their sports cars sometime in 2026.
Lotus had revealed its platform, which it called the E-Sports, in 2021. The platform is capable of supporting batteries up to 99.6 kWh in capacity and dual-motor powertrains generating up to 871 hp. On the other hand, Alpine has not yet revealed any details on its electric sports car.
Lotus has a long history of producing lightweight, high-performance sports cars that are well-loved by enthusiasts around the world. In recent years, the automaker has been focusing on creating a range of electric vehicles that still embody the Lotus spirit, such as the Evija hypercar, which is set to be the most powerful production car in the world with its 2,000 horsepower electric powertrain.
Alpine, on the other hand, is a French automaker that was established in 1955. The company was originally known for its rallying successes, winning the World Rally Championship in 1973 with the Alpine A110. After a hiatus, Alpine was revived by Renault in 2017 and has since produced the A110, a lightweight, mid-engined sports car that has been well-received by critics.
Lotus and Alpine had previously stated that their joint electric sports car project would allow them to share knowledge, resources, and expertise. The decision to end the partnership may shift their focus on developing their respective electric sports cars, but it remains to be seen how this decision will affect their plans.
Lotus CEO Matt Windle said in a statement, “I would like to thank the team at Alpine for their collaborative approach and wish them all the best for the future. Lotus is committed to developing its own electrified sports cars, which will be built in new facilities alongside the latest internal combustion engines.”
Meanwhile, Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi said, “We have enjoyed working with Lotus on this joint project, but we understand that both parties need to focus on their own priorities at this time. We remain deep admirers of Lotus, its heritage, and its engineering expertise, and we look forward to future collaborations.”
This isn’t the first time that Alpine has partnered with another automaker to develop a sports car platform. In the previous decade, Alpine had formed a similar partnership with Caterham to jointly develop a mid-engine sports car platform. In that instance, Caterham pulled out of the deal, but Alpine continued to develop the platform alone, which was ultimately used for the current A110.
In conclusion, while Lotus and Alpine have decided to part ways on their joint electric sports car project, the future remains bright for both automakers. Lotuses and Alpines have long been the dream cars of many enthusiasts, and it’s exciting to see what they have in store for us in the future.
