- Both Lotus and Volvo are currently owned by Chinese carmaker Geely.
- Lotus might borrow Volvo’s tech as it is already used by fellow brands Polestar and Lynk&Co.
- The British sports car maker currently uses Toyota’s powertrain for its vehicles.
Lotus changed hands last year when Chinese carmaker Geely announced that it will take 51 per cent of controlling stake in the British marque. All future projects and upcoming SUVs from Lotus will now be looked after by the Chinese automotive manufacturing company. So it does not come as a surprise when Lotus' CEO, Jean-Marc Gales, announced that they are looking for alternate powertrain options from within the Geely family.
Volvo is also owned by Geely since 2010. So Lotus might start using the Swedish carmaker’s powertrain in future. Volvo also has advanced hybrid and electric powertrains which will power subsidiary brands like the newly formed Polestar and Lynk&Co. Lotus can borrow Volvo’s petrol engine which includes a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged motor producing 152bhp. Or the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol making anything between 187bhp and 306bhp. There are a few hybrid and electric powertrains as well which Lotus can explore for the impending SUV.
Volvo recently revealed the XC40 with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The T5 twin-engine layout combines a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and electric motor. Meanwhile, the recently launched Polestar brand will produce the 1 Coupe with an all-electric powertrain. On the other hand, the other new brand Lynk & Co will have hybrid crossovers and SUVs in their line-up for the European expansion. So the Hethel-based carmaker shouldn’t have any troubles in switching powertrains in the near future. And it won’t be too far into the future either when we actually witness a pure electric Lotus sports car.
