Mikkel Christensen
A major shift is happening in the supercar world as some performance brands move away from fully electric plans.
A major shift is happening in the supercar world as some performance brands move away from fully electric plans.
According to Drive, one British sports-car maker is preparing to bring back V8 power with a new hybrid supercar due in 2028.
Electric rethink
The upcoming model signals another retreat from earlier promises to become fully electric before the end of the decade.
Instead, the company is now focusing more heavily on plug-in hybrid technology alongside EVs.
The new supercar is expected to produce more than 735kW through a combination of V8 and hybrid power.
Teaser images released by the manufacturer show sleek styling and large dual exhaust pipes.
V8 returns
The upcoming model will reportedly mark the brand’s first V8-powered car in more than 20 years.
Speculation is already growing that the iconic Esprit badge could return alongside the new supercar.
The original Esprit became the company’s final V8 model before production ended in 2004.
Production of the upcoming car is expected to take place in Europe rather than China.
Hybrid performance
Drive reported the supercar may use hybrid technology related to the company’s future plug-in SUV platform.
The setup would allow the petrol engine to either drive the wheels directly or recharge the battery system.
The company has not confirmed whether the V8 engine will come from Mercedes-AMG or be developed internally.
Some reports suggest the powertrain could be linked to a Geely-backed engine development program.
Petrol survives
The move reflects a broader shift happening across the automotive industry as some brands slow their EV expansion plans.
Hybrid technology is increasingly being viewed as a compromise between emissions targets and traditional performance.
The company also confirmed its current Emira sports car will remain in production with an updated version arriving soon.
That revised model is expected to become the most powerful and lightest Emira released so far.
Changing market
Under its updated strategy, the manufacturer now plans to sell petrol, plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles together.
The company reportedly expects plug-in hybrids to account for most electrified sales in the future.
Several automakers have recently softened earlier all-electric targets as EV demand slows in some global markets.
Sources: Drive, Lotus, industry reports
