2022 Lotus Type 132 leaked in design patents

Less than a month before its official reveal, the Lotus Type 132's design has been leaked thanks to design patents surfacing.

Appearing on IP Australia's website under Wuhan Lotus ownership, the patents give us a better idea of what the Chinese-owned British marque's first SUV will look like.

UPDATE, March 30, 2022: Lotus has finally unveiled its new electric SUV, the Eletre. Get the full story at the link below.

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The story to here

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The electric vehicle borrows some inspiration from the Emira sports car and Evija hypercar but its overall design seems to mimic that of its internal-combustion-powered European rivals, such as the Lamborghini Urus and Porsche Cayenne Coupe.

Although official teasers from Lotus have shown the Type 132 to have thin LED lights at the front and rear, this is the first time we've seen details such as its door-mounted cameras in place of mirrors, the odd quarter-sized rear wing and pop-out door handles, sitting flush along the bodywork.

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Despite the side shots showing what appears to be a sizeable rear overhang for an EV, the large C-pillar and small rear quarter window suggest the SUV will be a two-row, five-seater – unless third-row passengers aren't afforded the luxury of a decent peripheral view out of the car.

Lotus has already shown off the Type 132's active aerodynamics, from its rear wing to grille shutters, both of which will be implemented to reduce drag or increase downforce, depending on the situation.

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Level Three autonomous driving systems are also expected to feature on the Type 132 after earlier teasers included a roof-mounted Lidar scanner, stepping away from radar and camera-based systems such as those used by Tesla.

The official reveal of the Type 132 is slated for March 29, with Wheels providing updates for the unveiling of Lotus's first electric SUV.