Additional information has come to light about the Lotus Type 135 supercar, which is widely expected to revive the Esprit badge.

In an investor call covering second-quarter results, Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng told Autocar and other media that the target weight for the Esprit V8 hybrid stands at 1500kg.

Mr Feng noted that hitting this goal with an 800V system, hybrid setup, V8 engine and electric motor is proving difficult.

He explained that the hybrid drivetrain will help satisfy emissions rules worldwide while retaining the essential Lotus focus on low weight and sharp track dynamics.

Lotus intends to use lightweight electric motors weighing roughly 20kg each to control mass. Unlike plug-in rivals such as the Ferrari 296 GTB and Lamborghini Temerario, the Esprit will be a conventional hybrid with a smaller battery pack.

By comparison, the Ferrari 296 GTB 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 carries a 7.45kWh battery and weighs about 1540kg, while the Lamborghini Temerario 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 uses a 3.8kWh pack and weighs 1690kg.

Overall output for the Esprit is expected to exceed 746kW or 1000 horsepower, and the car will feature an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission built to manage high torque levels.

Lotus is also creating a V6 hybrid successor to the Emira. Mr Feng confirmed this powertrain will be offered in the Esprit as well, though further details were not provided.

The company currently fits Mercedes-AMG four-cylinder and Toyota V6 engines in the Emira but plans to phase out both external suppliers.

The new V6 and V8 engines are being developed together with Horse, the Renault-Geely joint venture in which Geely holds the controlling 51 per cent stake in Lotus.

The next Emira and the Type 135 supercar form part of the Focus 2030 strategy, which sets a revised sales target of 30,000 cars annually. In 2025 the firm produced just 6520 vehicles, well below the earlier 150,000-unit goal.

Mr Feng acknowledged the company moved too quickly on an all-electric plan and has now decided to include hybrids.

While the Eletre SUV and Emeya sedan are built in Wuhan, China, sports cars will continue to be made at Hethel in the UK, with the Esprit sharing space alongside the Emira.

Mr Feng identifies the Ferrari 849 Testarossa as the Esprit main rival. The Testarossa carries a starting price of $932,648 before on-road costs in Australia.