Lotus Type 132 shows off pop-up LiDAR

Lotus has posted its second teaser of the upcoming 2022 Lotus Type 132 ahead of its launch next year.

In the latest preview, the British car-maker's all-new battery-electric SUV, which will rival the likes of the Mercedes-Benz EQC and Tesla Model Y, demonstrates its pop-up LiDAR sensor that is claimed to be the "eyes of the car".

The jury is out on where exactly the LiDAR system is housed, possibly above the leading edge of the bonnet if not in the optimum position above the windscreen.

Alas, no other details have been confirmed by the car-maker but it's thought the LiDAR system will enable the Lotus SUV (codename Type 132; it will be renamed for launch) to achieve Level 3 autonomous driving in limited geofenced areas, like the highway.

The Chinese-built SUV will be based on Lotus' fresh Premium Architecture that has been designed and developed specifically for electric vehicles.

It will also be powered by large batteries ranging from 90kWh to 120kWh. Versions powered by the biggest batteries should have a range of up to 650km.

There's no info yet what will drive the first Lotus SUV, but the company said its Premium Architecture can be driven with multiple electric motors that will see the fastest versions capable of an incredible 0-100km/h time of less than 3.0 seconds.

And the British sports car-maker's SUV will not only be quick in a straight line. Thanks to an 800V architecture, it will be among the fastest to charge in its class – at a rate of up to 350kW.

That could see an 80 per cent top-up taking a little over 20 minutes.

One of four EVs for the brand that will launch over the next five years, the first model being readied by Lotus will be joined by a larger SUV and four-door Porsche Taycan rival.

Lotus will continue to tease more of the Type 132 in the coming weeks in the lead-up to its unveiling.

Related: Lotus teases four new electric cars