Lotus is set to make two UK dynamic debuts at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, with its highly anticipated hyper-GT, Emeya and the revolutionary Evija X. At the forefront of luxury, performance and cutting-edge technology, these two models mark a new era for Lotus and highlight it’s ongoing pursuit of excellence and innovation in electrification.

Attendees at the event will see Evija X and Emeya take on the iconic Hill Climb throughout the duration of the festival. In addition, Evija, the world's most powerful production car boasting 2,011bhp, will also be taking part in the supercar runs.

This year, the Lotus stand takes a new location next to the First Glance Paddock. The stand itself features an area dedicated to Lotus owners, centered around 'The Drivers' social space. This will display the Evija, Eletre, Emeya, and Emira – in addition to Lotus’ world championship-winning Type 72 F1 race car and the Type 136 Lotus e-Bike.

Simon Lane, Executive Director at Lotus Advanced Performance said: “We are thrilled to debut the Lotus Emeya and Evija X at Goodwood Festival of Speed. These models represent the pinnacle of our engineering and design capabilities, embodying the spirit of innovation and performance that Lotus is known for. We are excited to showcase our vision for the future of luxury and hypercars both on the Hill and on our stand”.

Throughout the weekend, the Lotus stand will be a hub of activity, featuring daily Q&As hosted by renowned journalist, presenter and automotive aficionado, Natasha Bird. Bird will be quizzing prominent women from the automotive industry on their experience and leading important discussions about how we bring the joy of performance cars into a more inclusive era.

Natasha Bird said: “I am so excited to host and chat to these trailblazing women who are redefining the automotive and motorsport landscape. Their passion, innovation, skill and leadership are not only breaking barriers, but also driving the industry forward. It’s an honour to celebrate their achievements and share their stories at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed."

Emeya is the first electric hyper-GT from Lotus and joins the company’s lineup of next-generation hyper electric vehicles (EVs) - part of its vision to become an all-electric global luxury brand by 2028.

The car brings together Lotus’ design and engineering DNA, with the latest cutting-edge technologies to set a new benchmark for what it means to drive an electric car. Emeya seamlessly blends the excellent dynamic performance that Lotus is renowned for, with world-class refinement, comfort, usability and connectivity – bringing drivers the ultimate grand tourer package.

Ben Payne, Vice President of Design, Lotus Group said: “this is a Lotus like you have never seen before. We’ve built on everything Lotus has achieved so far to create a luxury performance car for the drivers, designed to inspire confidence, exhilarate with raw emotion and pure joy – connecting them to the road.”

The GT powered by the Lotus DNA
“Our engineering and design heritage are crucial to informing and shaping the present – and our future. By combining new technology with an aesthetic that draws from the past, Emeya takes us into the future,” continues Ben Payne, VP of Design.

Retaining the core Lotus sportscar DNA of design, power and precision, safety, dynamic handling, emotion and logic, with the latest engineering capabilities and an increased choice of new features, Emeya is even more powerful, making it an unrivalled GT. This includes:

• Advanced and active aerodynamic features such as the pioneering active front grille, rear diffuser and rear spoiler. All this, combined with a low centre of gravity, enhances stability when driving and sets a standard in the GT segment for ride and handling excellence.
  
• Bold muscular wheel arches are a Lotus signature that date back to road and race machines of the 1950s and 1960s, a pure design feature that emphasise Emeya’s performance heritage.

EMEYA OVERVIEW

Designed for efficiency
Emeya boasts a range of advanced active aerodynamic features to enhance speed and performance, all of which have been inspired by the world-renowned aerodynamics that elevated Lotus to success on motor circuits around the world. Key attributes include:

• A power of up to 905 bhp, enabling Emeya to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in under 2.8 seconds and 0-200 km/h (0 – 124 mph) in 9 seconds, making it one of the quickest cars in the world.¹
• Active aerodynamic features, so that drivers can tailor the driving experience to their environment.  The duality of the combined system can deliver a drag coefficient of 0.21Cd, or downforce of over 150kg.
• Advanced new high-performance, twin-layer, battery designed with cooling attributes, to deliver even greater repeatability and sustainability of performance - even under extreme driving conditions such as on a track. This also provides greater driving range between charges.
• Up to five driving modes including Range, Tour, Sport, Individual and Track. Drivers can control the ride height, air suspension stiffness, acceleration response, seat configuration (with adjustable side bolsters), and more to optimise efficiency, performance, and comfort in any environment. 
• An electronically controlled air suspension system with advanced onboard sensors respond to changes in road conditions and automatically adjusts the vehicle set-up. This ensures the smoothest ride and optimum driving experience for customers.   
• Lightweight carbon ceramic brakes reduce un-sprung weight and braking distance – which contribute to dynamic handling – as well as doubling the lifespan of the components.
  

“Emeya is the sportscar for everyday use. Our world-class engineering brings drivers dynamic handling and a comfortable ride, with plenty of space, making it a truly exciting electric vehicle to drive” said Gavan Kershaw, Director of Attributes and Product Integrity at Lotus.

The perfect companion for every journey
Emeya provides drivers with sportscar levels of performance but with the usability for everyday use. This includes:

• A spacious boot of up to 509 litres, offering everyday usability and making it the ultimate touring companion.
• The Emeya frunk also has a capacity of 31 litres, meaning customers have additional space for their belongings or for their charging equipment.
• Ambient lighting functions that communicate intuitively with the driver. For instance, when getting an incoming phone call, elements of the dashboard will pulse to notify the driver of this, and when charging, the ambient lighting on the floating dashboard will change to green.
• Five massage modes at three different intensity levels, ensuring all occupants have a relaxing ride, no matter where they are sat⁴.
• Power-assisted doors make entering the vehicle seamless for customers. Sensors can also detect obstacles ensuring a door will not open if the vehicle is at risk of damage. In addition, a kick sensor on the tailgate enables customers to easily open the boot, even when their hands are full.
• Advanced intelligent panoramic glass roof, which drivers can switch between opaque and clear. This allows customers to enjoy a feeling of space whatever the time of day. They also have the option to turn individual sections of the roof opaque, enabling them to block out direct sunlight while keeping the rest of the roof transparent.

The pinnacle refined grand tourer experience
Emeya blends progressive performance with technical artistry throughout its interior and exterior design. It has been developed with the Lotus philosophy of lightness through form and materiality, in order to provide drivers with the ultimate progressive luxury experience. This includes:

• Consciously designed with advanced sustainable materials that are also sustainably sourced, to reduce its carbon footprint. This includes a new luxury thread, Wyron Truecycle, made from repurposed fibres from the fashion industry. Lotus is the first automaker in the industry to use this application.
• Knurled metal on all interior touchpoints to offer a deluxe tactility, further enhancing the sense of refinement.
• Crafted carbon fibre exterior elements, which make a nod to the brand’s racing heritage, gently reminding occupants that Emeya is a performance car, ‘for the drivers.’
• A unique daytime running light (DRL) design, which enhances the road presence of the car. The headlamps stay almost hidden in the aperture beneath the DRLs, delivering a sleek front-end look.

Further information on Emeya’s design origin can be found here.

Providing confidence to go anywhere
Emeya makes it easier than ever to own an electric vehicle by giving drivers with the confidence to complete long-distance journeys, going wherever they need, with its fast-charging capabilities including:

• Charge from 10 to 80% in 14 minutes, using a 400-kW (600A capable) DC fast charger², making it one of the fastest charging electric vehicles (EVs) available today.
• Emeya is able to reach a peak charging power of 402kW, resulting in an average charging power of 331kW, between 10% and 80% battery state of charge².
• Combined with a WLTC energy consumption of 18.7kWh/100km, Emeya is able to gain up to 310km of range in 10 minutes.
• Powerful, efficient and refined all-electric powertrain delivers the perfect balance of performance, responsiveness and range - with a maximum WLTP range of 610 km (379 miles).³
  

To achieve the fast-charging capabilities in its next generation hyper electric vehicles, Lotus uses a cell-to-pack battery structure, which means that 20 percent more cells can be packaged in the same space, compared to a standard module architecture. Emeya also uses a new cooling system architecture that is designed to improve the thermal performance and efficiency of the battery, which also contributes to an exceptionally high level of repeatable performance,

In addition, Lotus is providing consumers with the confidence to access easy, fast, and efficient charging by creating a seamless charging experience with the Lotus Cars app and Lotus’ Charging Card:

• With Lotus’ Charging Card, drivers can access the charging network with a single tap, and can find all the information they need easily via the Lotus Cars app. The app allows drivers to keep track of their charging history, manage costs and monitor vehicle battery status remotely.
• In addition, Lotus HyperOS, the award-winning in-car infotainment system in the Eletre and Emeya, uses intelligent EV routing to help drivers locate nearby public chargers. This feature reduces range anxiety and can significantly cut travel times. The system can also suggest alternative routes based on the driver’s real-time battery consumption – all delivering an optimised Lotus EV driving experience.

Designed for your safety
Lotus has incorporated the latest technology hardware, with its own proprietary software to provide consumers with confidence and safety, every time they drive. This includes:

• Two NVIDIA DRIVE Orin systems-on-a-chip (SoCs), which are used to process data from 34 state-of-the-art-surround sensors up to 30 times a second, offering 360-degree perception with no blind spots.
• Four deployable LiDARs, 18 radars, seven 8 mp cameras and five 2 mp cameras, that combine to ensure driver confidence by scanning for obstacles at a radius of up to 200m around the car, in every direction, even in low light or inclement weather. They even reconstruct a virtual environment around the vehicle to define the best trajectory.
  

Lotus is committed to continually improving its vehicles with over-the-air updates, which also include new features and services. This also means that as regulation in each market advances, Lotus will be able to activate some of the hardware through over-the-air updates.

“With Emeya, you can really have it all. We are committed to continually enhancing the technology to offer drivers with new services, features and updates, so they can always have one of the most competitive cars in the market,” said Fabio Prato, Managing Director, Lotus Technology Innovation Centre.

An immersive state-of-the-art infotainment experience
To provide the best possible in-car experience for every occupant, Emeya offers:

• A state-of-the-art 15.1-inch HD OLED Lotus HyperOS award winning infotainment system, which features an interactive 3D display of Emeya to access its numerous functions. This is powered by Unreal Engine gaming technology, and with it, the car responds rapidly in real-time to any changes the driver makes and adjust accordingly. For instance, touching the screen to open the doors will immediately open the doors on the car.
• An expansive 55-inch head-up display for the driver, meaning they can clearly see important vehicle data without taking their eyes of the road.
• Entertainment is centred around the critically acclaimed in-car audio system from world-renowned Lotus partner KEF. It’s award-winning Uni-Q™ speaker design and Uni-Core™ space-saving subwoofer enclosure, with Dolby Atmos enabled 3D surround sound system, combine to create a truly immersive soundscape.

Pricing and availability
Emeya is available in six colours including Boreal Grey, Fireglow Orange, Solar Yellow, Akoya White, Stellar Black and Kaimu Grey.

Emeya is competitively priced in the luxury GT segment, and will be available in three variants:

• Emeya, the entry point for the range, starting at £89,500 (€106,400). 
• Emeya S, a well-equipped Hyper-GT model, beginning from £101,950 (€126,950). 
• Emeya R, the flagship, which starts at £129,950 (€150,990).
  

Emeya has entered production with customer deliveries in China, starting in March 2024. Emeya will begin delivering to mainland European Customers from July 2024, with global markets to follow.

For more information on Emeya, please visit www.lotuscars.com/emeya/

Emeya technical specifications

Powertrain and Performance
Category	Emeya	Emeya S	Emeya R
Powertrain Configuration	Full-Time All-Wheel Drive with Lotus ICC Intelligent Torque Distribution Permanent  Magnet / Permanent Magnet
Electric Motor (Front / Rear)
Transmission (Front / Rear)	Single Speed	Single Speed	Two-Speed
Max power (kW / BHP)	450 / 603	450 / 603	675 / 905
Max torque (Nm)	710	710	985
Top speed (km/h / mph)	250 / 155	250 / 155	256 / 159
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) (secs)	4.2	4.2	2.8
80-120 km/h (50-75 mph) (secs)	2	2	1.7
Battery Capacity (kWh)	102	102	102
Battery Type	Lithium-Ion	Lithium-Ion	Lithium-Ion
Battery Modules	Cell to Pack	Cell to Pack	Cell to Pack
Battery Voltage	800	800	800
Charge time 10 - 80% (mins) via 350 kW DC  Rapid Charger	18	18	18
Charging time 0 -100% (hours) via 22 kW AC  Wallbox	5.5	5.5	5.5
WLTP Combined Range (km / miles)	610 / 379	540 / 336	435 / 270

Chassis
Category	Emeya	Emeya S	Emeya R
Front Suspension	Multi-Link	Multi-Link	Multi-Link
Rear Suspension	Multi-Link	Multi-Link	Multi-Link
Springs	Dual-Chamber Air	Dual-Chamber Air	Dual-Chamber Air
Dampers	Continuous Dampin   Control	Continuous Damping   Control	Continuous Damping  Control
Steering	Electromechanical; Rack  and Pinion	Electromechanical; Rack  and Pinion	Electromechanical; Rack  and Pinion
Front Brake Diameter (mm)	370	412	412
Front Brake Caliper	4-Piston	6-Piston	6-Piston
Rear Brake Diameter (mm)	367	397	397
Rear Brake Caliper	Lotus Aluminium Floating   Caliper	Lotus Aluminium Floating  Caliper	Lotus Aluminium Floating  Caliper
Carbon Ceramic Front Brake Diameter (mm)	-	420	420
Carbon Ceramic Front Brake Caliper	-	10-Piston	10-Piston
Carbon Ceramic Rear Brake Diameter (mm)	-	410	410

Dimensions
Category	Emeya		Emeya S			Emeya R
Length (mm)	5,139		5,139			5,139
Width with Electric Reverse Mirror Displays  (mm)	2,123		2,123			2,123
Width with Door Mirrors (mm)	2,241		2,241			2,241
Wheel Track (Front / Rear) (inches)	20	21	20	21	22	20	21	22
Height (mm)	1,459		1,459			1,459
Wheelbase (mm)	3,069		3,069			3,069
Drag Coefficient (Cd)	0.21 (20" Wheels) / 0.22		0.21 (20" Wheels) / 0.22			0.21 (20" Wheels) / 0.22
Weight (kg)	2,490		2,490			2,590
Ground Clearance (mm)	141		141			141
Rear Boot - 4 Seat (litres)	426		426			426
Rear Boot - 5 Seat (litres)	509		509			509
Rear boot - 5 Seat Folded (litres)	1,388		1,388			1,388
Front Boot (litres)	31		31			31

Wheels and Tyres
Category	Emeya	Emeya S	Emeya R
20" Cast Alloy Wheels - 9.0J x 20 (Front) and  11.0J x 20 (Rear)	Standard	Non-Cost Option (NCO)	-
21" Forged Alloy Wheels - 9.5J x 21 (Front)  and 11.5J x 21 (Rear)	Optional	Standard	Standard
22" Forged Alloy Wheels - 9.5J x 22 (Front)  and 11.5J x 22 (Rear)	-	Optional	Optional
20" 255/45 Front & 285/40 Rear - Pirelli P  Zero	Standard	Non-Cost Option (NCO)
21" 265/40 Front & 305/35 Rear - Pirelli P  Zero	-	Standard	Standard
21" 265/40 Front & 305/35 Rear - Pirelli P  Zero R (Performance Tyres)	-	Optional	Optional
21" Pirelli P Zero E (Low Rolling Resistance  Tyres)	-	Optional	-
22" 265/35 Front & 305/30 Rear - Michelin  Pilot Sport EV	-	Optional	Optional

¹) Emeya R, other models will vary
²) In optimal conditions. Charging time may vary depending on a number of factors including charging station power output, battery  health and temperature, and more. This data was validated by P3, who published their 2023 P3 Charging Index Report – Asia on 27th May 2024, which included a comparison of fast-charging capabilities of various battery electric vehicles including Emeya. The results can be found on page 9-10, and the full report itself can be downloaded here: https://www.p3-group.com/en/p3-updates/p3-charging-index-asia/
³)  Vehicle range may vary depending on factors including vehicle specification, prevailing weather conditions, and driving style.
⁴)  This feature is not available in the bench seat of the five-seater configuration of the car.

Lotus has won two Red Dot Awards in Product Design for its next-generation hyper electric vehicles – Eletre, its hyper-SUV, as well as Emeya, its hyper-GT.

The annual Red Dot Awards: Product Design is globally recognised as one of the biggest creative competitions in the world. The award celebrates outstanding design quality based on four core principles including aesthetically pleasing, functional, smart and innovative.

Both cars were highly praised by a jury of 39 leading design experts for bringing Lotus’ rich 76-year heritage in British sportscars design and engineering to new vehicle segments. Eletre and Emeya are a new breed of hyper lifestyle electric vehicles, blending together Lotus renowned dynamic performance with world-class refinement, technology and comfort. By doing this, Lotus is able to offer drivers electric cars that are fun to drive, versatile and practical for everyday use.

“Eletre and Emeya embody the core Lotus DNA design values of raw emotion, performance and sophistication, whilst progressing the brand into the future as new forms of lifestyle electric vehicles,” said Ben Payne, Vice President of Design, Lotus Group. “We are at a transformational stage in the company’s history. As we scale, it's a huge honor and testament to the creative spirit of the team to be globally recognised for best product design by Red Dot.”

Eletre first launched in 2022 and has won multiple awards including GQ Magazine’s SUV of the Year 2023, as well as iF Design Award 2024 for its HyperOS infotainment system, which is also available in Emeya.

Lotus has announced its first electric hyper-GT, Emeya, has achieved a record-breaking charging time using the public charging network. The car is capable of charging from 10 to 80 percent in 14 minutes, using a 400-kW (600A capable) DC fast charger¹, making it one of the fastest charging electric vehicles (EVs) available today.

This was validated by leading global consulting firm P3, who recently published their independent 2023 P3 Charging Index for Asia². Emeya came out number one as the fastest charging EV that was tested against market leading global electric vehicles including Mercedes EQS, BMW i7, Tesla Model Y, Genesis G80, Xpeng G9, Kia EVP, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Nio ET5 and BYD Atto 3.

Lotus’ ambition is to make it easier than ever to own an EV by providing drivers with the confidence to complete long-distance journeys and go wherever they need to. The report also found that Emeya can reach a peak charging power of 402kW, resulting in an average charging power of 331kW, between 10% and 80% battery state of charge – this was higher compared to the peak charge of the other electric vehicles tested. In addition, combined with a WLTC energy consumption of 18.7kWh/100km, Emeya can gain up to 310km of range in 10 minutes¹.

To achieve the fast-charging capabilities in its next generation hyper electric vehicles, Lotus uses a cell-to-back battery structure, which means that 20 percent more cells can be packaged in the same space, compared to a standard module architecture. Emeya also uses a new cooling system architecture that is designed to improve the thermal performance and efficiency of the battery.

Qingfeng Feng, CEO at Lotus Group said: “With our industry leading charging technology available today, Emeya pushes the boundaries for how an EV performs, providing drivers with the confidence to travel anywhere. We’re bringing an unrivalled driving experience in the ultimate grand tourer package, so drivers want to go electric.”

Lotus is committed to delivering a fully integrated charging ecosystem, in order to make EV ownership as seamless as possible. To provide consumers have the confidence to access easy, fast, and efficient charging, it is collaborating across the industry, as well as developing its own range of solutions including its own app, charging card, and ultra-fast DC fast charger of up to 450 kW.

Partnering with Bosch and Mobilize to provide consumers the confidence that wherever they are, they will be access an easy-to-use and reliable charger 
Through the Bosch charging network, Lotus owners have access to more than 600,000 public chargers across 30 European countries including UK, Germany and France. Lotus is committed to expanding its charging network across Europe by adding additional network operators over time.

In addition, Lotus has teaming up with Mobilize Power Solutions to unlock the home as a primary charging location by offering an all-inclusive package which includes the supply and installation of a charging point, with personalised support from ordering to commissioning.

Creating a seamless charging experience with the Lotus Cars app and Lotus’ Charging Card 
With Lotus’ Charging Card, drivers can access the charging network with a single tap, and can find all the information they need easily via the Lotus Cars app. The app allows drivers to keep track of their charging history, manage costs and monitor vehicle battery status remotely.

In addition, Lotus HyperOS, the award-winning in-car infotainment system in the Eletre and Emeya³, uses intelligent EV routing to help drivers locate nearby public chargers. This feature reduces range anxiety and can significantly cut travel times. The system can also suggest alternative routes based on the driver’s real-time battery consumption – all delivering an optimised Lotus EV driving experience.

Increasing confidence in the charging infrastructure with its own charging solutions for EVs 
Lotus has designed a suite of commercial charging solutions including an ultra-fast 450 kW DC charger, power cabinet and a modular unit for charging up to four vehicles at once. It uses leading liquid-cooled technologies to improve the efficiency and reliability of charging, in order to make it to make it easier and quicker for EV drivers to charge their vehicles.

Lotus is future proofing its technology and has designed its charging solutions to be ready for cars that have a state-of-the-art 800-volt charging system, such as Lotus’ own Emeya, as well as its electric hyper-SUV, Eletre. This technology is where the industry is accelerating towards in order to unlock hyper power charging speeds and greater charging efficiency.

Emeya is Lotus’ first electric hyper-GT and joins a flagship model in Lotus’ line-up of luxury lifestyle electric vehicles, part of the company’s vision to become an all-electric global performance brand by 2028. It brings together Lotus’ rich design and engineering heritage, with the latest cutting-edge technologies and sportscar levels of performance to set a new benchmark for how a luxury electric vehicle should look and handle– making it truly for the drivers.

Emeya started customer deliveries in March 2024 in China and will be arriving to UK and European customers in Q3 2024. Further information on market availability will be released nearer the time.

¹) In optimal conditions. Charging time may vary depending on a number of factors including charging station power output, battery health and temperature, and more.
²) Results from P3, who published their 2023 P3 Charging Index Report – Asia on 27th May 2024, which included a comparison of fast-charging capabilities of various battery electric vehicles including Emeya. The results can be found on page 9-10, and the full report itself can be downloaded here: https://www.p3-group.com/en/p3-updates/p3-charging-index-asia/.
³) Lotus HyperOS has won multiple awards including iF Design award 2023.

Der Frühling klopft so langsam an, und das 23. Frühjahrstreffen steht auch schon vor der Tür. Dieses Jahr dürfen wir uns über die Ein-ladung des Autohauses Haese zu deren exklusiven "Lotus Open Day" freuen.

Da es sich beim Frühjahrstreffen wie jedes Jahr um eine "offene" Veranstaltung handelt, ist diese nicht ausschließlich LCD-Mitgliedern und ihren Begleitpersonen vorbehalten. Somit sind auch interessierte Nichtmitglieder herzlich willkommen.

British Cycling unveiled the new British Olympic track bike today, continuing its collaboration with Lotus Engineering, Renishaw and Hope Technology.

The Hope-Lotus has been meticulously designed and optimised to push the boundaries of sporting performance for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The bike follows the success of the Tokyo track bike, which contributed to the track team winning seven Olympic medals and topping the event medal table.

Lotus Engineering has used its strengths in optimised aerodynamics, advanced materials, lightweight and engineering innovation to help guide the bike's cockpit development. The team created the bike's unique front fork design and handlebars, working with Hope Technology to integrate these components into the overall package.

Inspired by fighter jet design, the fork has a new serrated edge that allows smoother airflow around the rider. The customisable handlebars help riders achieve a more efficient aero position for longer races, whilst an enhanced integration with the fork reduces drag.

The composite fork is crafted from the same high-grade carbon fibre and single-cure manufacturing process as the Lotus Evija Hypercar to guarantee lightness.

Richard Hill, Chief Aerodynamicist at Lotus, was responsible for the design of the Lotus 108 Olympic track bike and the 110 Tour De France bike in the nineties and has continued to play a pivotal role in both the Tokyo Olympic track bike and now, the 2024 Hope-Lotus Olympic track bike.

Richard Hill, Chief Aerodynamicist at Lotus said:
“Lotus is proud to continue working with British Cycling, Hope Technology and Renishaw in offering unrivalled engineering expertise to produce the most efficient and beautiful bike to support our national team. We’re extremley excited to have played a part once again to continue pushing innovation in the pursuit of performance delivering efficiencies to give British track riders the best possible opportunity for success. We wish the team all the very best for Paris.”

Mark Stringer, Commercial Director, Lotus Engineering said:
“Lotus’ longstanding collaboration with British Cycling has been pivotal in advancing the frontiers of sporting performance and engineering with the 2024 Hope-Lotus Olympic track bike. This on-going partnership has enriched our depth of knowledge, further enhancing and embracing the innovation that proved successful in Tokyo. We’ve been able to continue pushing engineering boundaries in the pursuit of performance to deliver efficiencies and to give British track riders the best possible opportunity for success. The Hope-Lotus bike is the perfect demonstration of our ability to transfer the skills and knowledge we’ve gained through over 75 years of automotive development to bring a new perspective to other industries. We wish British Cycling the best of luck in the upcoming Olympics.”

Every component of the bike has been designed to work as one with the rider, bringing the machine and athlete together perfectly. Lotus has collaborated with all partners at every stage of development, testing and manufacture to condense the project into a three-year Olympic cycle.

For more information on Lotus and British Cycling, please visit www.britishcycling.org.uk

Lotus today announced a bespoke service – Lotus Chapman Bespoke – following popular demand around the world.

The service will provide customers with the capability to customise their Lotus products, from custom badges and trims to complete one-off personalisation of an entire vehicle.

Initially launching in China from 25 April 2024, the bespoke service will then roll out around the world over the coming months.

Clive Chapman, son of Colin and Director of Classic Team Lotus, commented; “Together my parents shared an extraordinary adventure.  Their dynamic personalities created innovative designs for the drivers to enjoy. Now the drivers can enjoy creating their own innovations with Lotus Chapman Bespoke.”

The Lotus Chapman Bespoke name honours Lotus founders Colin & Hazel Chapman who started the business in 1948 in London, UK. A pioneering innovator, many of the designs, technologies and innovations seen in motor-racing today were first developed by Colin Chapman.

Lotus has always carried that rebellious Chapman spirit; a true originator, he ignored the status quo and was famous for carving his own path, in his own style.

Qingfeng Feng, CEO, Lotus Group commented; “The story of Lotus is the story of a bespoke carmaker. The first cars were hand-drawn and hand-built at home by Colin Chapman, and that spirit lives on in us today.”

Lotus cars today are driven by those who share that same spirit and Lotus Chapman Bespoke connects our founders with the drivers of today. Now you can finish your car in your way, the same way Chapman himself would have done. This is why Lotus Chapman Bespoke carries the name of our founders, Colin & Hazel Chapman, the highest accolade we could award.

With Bespoke, there are three levels of personalisation and customisation to choose from:

1. Tailor-made: choose your own unique combination from within a broad palate of colours and designs, and finish with exclusive personal touches and details.

2. Collection: choose from a selection of limited-edition designs, brought to life in partnership with partners, artists and likeminded luxury brands. 

3. One-off: As the name suggests, build a car as unique as you are.

Ben Payne, VP Design, Lotus Group, commented; “Many of our customers are looking for a bespoke experience; be that colour, texture, fabric, detail – and we are excited to see their individuality stamped on our cars around the world.”

Three levels of excellence, with almost unlimited combinations to choose from. Search Lotus Chapman Bespoke online or speak to your local Lotus Centre for more information.

Lotus has revealed the pricing and further details of its first electric hyper-GT, Emeya. It has also launched the configurator for the car online, for customers to design and personalise their vehicle ahead of placing their order. The all-new Emeya, which customers in Europe will receive from Q3 this year, sets a new benchmark in EV performance and usability.

Commenting on Emeya, Feng Qingfeng, CEO, Lotus Group, said: “Electric cars do not have to be boring. We are combining our rich sports car heritage with the latest cutting-edge technologies to redefine what it means to drive an electric vehicle. Emeya seamlessly blends exceptional ride and handling with world-class luxury, performance, comfort, connectivity, and range – bringing drivers the ultimate grand tourer package with the unrivalled driving experience of a true Lotus.”

A new frontier for charging and range
Emeya makes it easier than ever to own an electric vehicle by providing drivers with the confidence to complete long-distance journeys:

• Lotus has optimised the design layout of the batteries in its vehicles, so that 20% more cells can be packaged in the same space. By doing this, Emeya is able to offer market-leading charging capabilities, boosting range by up to 20%.¹
•  When using a 350kW DC fast-charger, Emeya can achieve a 10-80% charge within 18 minutes, with a maximum WLTP range of 610 km (379 miles).²

Sports car levels of dynamic performance
Lotus has incorporated its rich motorsport heritage and industry-leading engineering capabilities throughout Emeya to bring drivers a refined and dynamic EV that is truly exciting to drive. Features include:

• Innovative, driver-focused suspension design available with all wheel drive, advanced active roll control and rear-wheel steering.
• Advanced active aerodynamics such as active air dam under the front bumper and an active rear spoiler. These increase downforce and therefore stability in the car when deployed and reduce drag when not deployed.
• Downforce of 150 kg at 250 km/h, with a low drag coefficient of 0.21 Cd. With this, drivers can tailor the driving experience to their environment. For instance, on a technical mountain road, a customer can engage Sport mode to boost downforce, increase agility and better connect with the road.
• Power of up to 905 bhp, enabling Emeya to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in under 2.8 seconds, and making it one of the quickest electric cars in the world.
• Advanced new high-performance twin-layer battery design’s cooling attributes support even greater repeatability and sustainability of performance, even under extreme driving conditions such as on a circuit, yet also provides greater driving range between charges.
• Lightweight carbon ceramic brakes reduce weight and braking distance – which contribute to dynamic handling – as well as doubling the lifespan of the components.
• Up to five driving modes including Range, Tour, Sport, Individual and Track. Drivers can control the ride height, air suspension stiffness, acceleration response, seat configuration (with adjustable side bolsters), and more to optimise efficiency, performance, and comfort in any environment.  
• An electronically controlled air suspension system with advanced onboard sensors respond to changes in road conditions and automatically adjust the vehicle set-up. This ensures the smoothest ride and optimum driving experience for customers.    
• Combined with Emeya’s low driving position, every element of the car is designed to connect drivers to the road and evoke the genuine feeling of being in a true Lotus sports car.

Redefining the luxury experience
Emeya sets a new benchmark for how a luxury car should look and feel by optimising design, technology, comfort, and versatility to deliver the best possible in-car experience for every occupant. Features include:

• A spacious boot of up to 509 litres, offering everyday usability and making it the ultimate touring companion.
• Generous legroom for all passengers, ensuring they have the most spacious and comfortable ride.
• Ambient lighting functions interact with the driver’s experience. For instance, when getting an incoming phone call, elements of the dashboard will pulse to notify the driver of this, and when charging, the ambient lighting on the floating dashboard will change to green.
• Five massage modes at three different intensity levels, ensuring all occupants have a relaxing ride no matter where they are sat. 
• Power-assisted doors make entering the vehicle seamless for customers. Sensors can also detect obstacles ensuring a door will not open if the vehicle is at risk of damage. In addition, a kick sensor on the tailgate enables customers to easily open the boot, even when their hands are full.
• Advanced intelligent panoramic glass roof, which drivers can switch between opaque and clear. This allows customers to enjoy a feeling of space whatever the time of day. They also have the option to turn individual sections of the roof opaque, enabling them to block out direct sunlight while keeping the rest of the roof open.

Next-generation connectivity
Lotus Emeya features cutting-edge technologies, which have been designed to provide a seamless experience for the driver, further connecting them to the vehicle. Features include:

• A state-of-the-art 15.1-inch HD OLED Lotus Hyper OS infotainment system, which features an interactive 3D display of Emeya to access its numerous functions. Powered by Unreal Engine gaming tech, the car is able to respond rapidly in real-time to any changes the driver makes and adjust accordingly. For instance, touching the screen to open the doors will immediately open the doors on the car.
• Intelligent EV routing, which is capable of learning individual driving patterns, such as departure times, destinations, and routes, to offer every driver a personalised experience.
• An expansive Augmented Reality head-up display for the driver, meaning they can clearly see important vehicle data without taking their eyes of the road.
• Over-the-air software updates as required and delivered direct to each Emeya, so Lotus can continue to advance the driver experience by offering new services and upgrades.
  

Pricing and availability
Emeya is offered in six colours including two new finishes that are now available as exterior options across the entire Lotus electric vehicle range – Boreal Grey and Fireglow Orange. The additional colours include Solar Yellow, Akoya White, Stellar Black and Kaimu Grey. Emeya is competitively priced in the luxury GT segment, and will be available in three variants:

• Emeya, the entry point for the range, starting at £94,950 (€106,400).
• Emeya S, a well-equipped Hyper-GT model, beginning from £107,450 (€126,950).
• Emeya R, the flagship, which starts at £129,950 (€150,990).
  

Emeya was launched in China on 18 January and will be arriving with UK and European customers in Q3 2024. Further information on market availability will be released nearer the time.

For more information on Emeya, and how to order your vehicle, please visit www.lotuscars.com/emeya

¹) Compared to a cell-module-pack design. Emeya uses a cell-to-pack (CTP) design.
²) Vehicle range may vary depending on factors including vehicle specification, prevailing weather conditions, and driving style.

Lotus Technology Inc. (“Lotus Tech” or the “Company”), a leading global luxury electric vehicle maker, rang today’s opening bell at the Nasdaq stock exchange in New York City in celebration of its public listing. The Company’s American depositary shares (“ADSs”) commenced trading today on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) under the ticker symbol “LOT” following the completion of its business combination on February 22, 2024, with L Catterton Asia Acquisition Corp (“LCAA”), a special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”) formed by affiliates of L Catterton, a leading global consumer-focused investment firm.

Lotus Tech CEO Qingfeng Feng was joined by members of the Lotus Tech and L Catterton teams in New York City to witness this important milestone, which will help Lotus Tech to further its mission of becoming an advanced, fully electric, intelligent, and sustainable luxury mobility provider under the brand’s Vision80 strategy.

"This is an exciting moment for all of us at Lotus Technology,” said Mr. Feng. “I would like to extend my appreciation to our shareholders, partners, suppliers, our outstanding employees, and most importantly, our customers, for their support. We are proud to carry Lotus’s heritage into the future, and to open a new chapter in the Lotus story with our public listing today."

Chinta Bhagat, Co-Chief Executive Officer of LCAA said: “We believe that Lotus Tech is ideally positioned to seize the tremendous opportunity in the fast-growing and underserved luxury EV market, leveraging our global consumer insights and strategic relationship with LVMH. Today’s public listing is a significant step in the company’s future expansion, and we are looking forward to our continued collaboration with Lotus Tech’s talented management team.”

The Lotus Emeya hyper-GT completed the final stage of a rigorous global test and development programme in one of the world’s harshest environments.

Over the winter, the all-electric grand tourer was in Ivalo, Finland, as Lotus engineers conclude their validation work. Around 250km inside the Arctic Circle, temperatures in recent weeks have been as low as -25 degrees Celsius… and still the team has put the car in a local automotive ‘freezer’ to test it to -40 degrees Celsius.

It’s the culmination of a stringent three-year test and development programme across 15 countries in two continents¹, supported by Lotus’ global engineering teams. It took place on a variety of terrain and conditions; from the UK's challenging B-roads to the smooth and fast-flowing German autobahn, through the highest Alpine passes and the remoteness of Inner Mongolia. Testing also took place at race tracks such as the Nürburgring Nordschleife and at proving grounds like the high-speed loop near the southern Italian town of Nardò.

As well as extreme cold, Emeya also endured conditions as high as 40 degrees Celsius in these environments. Additional in-market testing will take place in the Middle East, United States and Australia ahead of deliveries in these markets.

Sylvain Verstraeten, Regional Vehicle Line Director, Emeya, said: “The testing process at Lotus is rigorous and covers a comprehensive performance assessment of everything from suspension and steering through to battery and tyres. Emeya is the ultimate all-electric grand tourer, designed and engineered to deliver the optimum driving experience for our customers 365 days a year and in all conditions. We’re incredibly excited for customers to be able to experience Emeya for themselves.”

During the Arctic testing programme, Lotus’ engineers focused on testing Emeya in various ways, including:

- Chassis systems such as suspensions, steering, brakes and traction and stability controls, to ensure stability of the vehicle in various
  conditions and on surfaces such as ice and snow.
- Tyre testing and development of bespoke Lotus winter tyres that effectively support the handling and dynamics of the vehicle.
- Driver assistance functions, which help customers remain in control of the vehicle in situations where road markings and traffic signs
  may be obscured due to external factors such as snow.
- Proving the unrestricted usability of the battery in extreme weather, both charging and discharging, to ensure consistency and
  repeatability.
- Testing and calibrating the air-conditioning and thermal management systems to ensure the car is as efficient and comfortable as
  possible in all conditions.

Two types of testing took place during Emeya’s development – controlled and real-world. Controlled testing means consistent conditions must exist. For example, during tyre tests the surface must remain consistent to allow meaningful comparisons. Real-world testing then proves the controlled results, introducing new factors such as changing road surfaces and driving in traffic

Meeting global regulatory targets is obviously a vital part of the programme, but at the heart of it is one key internal target – to guarantee Emeya drives like a true Lotus. As the company transitions to become an all-electric tech-focused luxury performance brand, staying true to the roots of what makes Lotus a Lotus is paramount.

Gavan Kershaw, Director of Attributes and Product Integrity, Lotus, was involved in that process since he joined the company in 1988 as a 16-year-old. He commented: “There are many elements of the Lotus DNA which have been carried through all our vehicles since the very first one in 1948. A Lotus should be engaging and desirable, but also safe and predictable. That doesn’t mean boring – in fact, just the opposite! Drivers need to know they can trust their car so they can maximise the dynamic performance, and with the development work that’s gone into Emeya, they really can.”

As a true grand tourer, Emeya has many features which help to make it the perfect companion in any environment, including the Arctic Circle. With Lotus advanced control systems and four-wheel drive, the vehicle excels in stability, handling and control, meaning the drivability of Emeya is not compromised in extreme weather.

Customers can remotely prepare their car from the comfort of their own home via the Lotus App. They can set the cabin to the desired temperature as well as turn on the heated seats and the heated steering wheel². This process can be completed in only a few minutes³ and allows customers to move from house to car with minimal discomfort. The same of course applies in hot climates, where customers can cool the cabin and seats before entering their vehicle.

In addition, heated side cameras and mirrors prevent their vision being impacted by condensation, snow or ice. The 55-inch head-up display – the largest and most advanced in any Lotus – has Snow Mode which turns the display blue, helping the driver to see the outline of the road more easily against a white background.

For more information on Emeya, and to make a reservation, please visit www.lotuscars.com/emeya.

¹) Countries include the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Germany,
   Switzerland, Netherland, Austria and China.
²) Heated seats and a heated steering wheel are optional extras.
³) Exact timing depends on factors such as outside temperature and desired cabin temperature.

Lotus has announced two new pan-European charging partnerships to support the rapidly growing number of customers taking delivery of its electric vehicles.

The company’s Eletre owners will be able tap into Bosch’s and Mobilize Power Solutions’ charging capabilities, enabling them to charge their hyper-SUV at home or on the move, providing them with further access to easy-to-use, reliable charging. The partnerships will also support owners of the company’s upcoming electric hyper-GT, Emeya, which Lotus will be delivering to customers in Europe later this year.

Through the Bosch charging network, Lotus owners have access to more than 600,000 public charging stations across 30 European countries including UK, Germany and France1. Lotus will continue to expand its charging network across Europe by adding additional network operators over time.

Drivers access the network with a simple tap of the Lotus Charging Card, and can find all the information they need easily via the Lotus Cars smartphone app. The app allows drivers to keep track of their charging history, manage costs and monitor vehicle battery status remotely.

Mike Johnstone, Chief Commercial Officer at Lotus Group, said: “Lack of charging infrastructure continues to remain one of the biggest barriers to electric vehicle adoption. We need make it easier than ever before to own an electric vehicle, in order to accelerate the transition to electrification and collaboration across the industry is key to this. By tapping into Bosch and Mobilize Power Solutions, we’re able to offer our customers further confidence in owning an electric Lotus by providing them with more and effortless options, wherever they are in Europe.”

Lotus’ electric vehicles offer exceptional charge times to keep drivers moving with minimal downtime. With a 350kW DC fast-charger, Eletre and Emeya can add 74 miles (120km)2 of range with approximately five minutes of charge; the same fast-charger can also boost the battery from 10-80% in 20 minutes for the hyper-SUV and 18 minutes for the hyper-GT.

Lotus Hyper OS, the award-winning in-car infotainment system in the Eletre and Emeya, uses intelligent EV routing to help drivers locate nearby public chargers. This feature reduces range anxiety and can significantly cut travel times. The system can even suggest alternative routes based on the driver’s real-time battery consumption – all delivering an optimised Lotus EV driving experience.

Lotus is teaming up with Mobilize Power Solutions to unlock the home as the primary charging location by offering an all-inclusive package which includes the supply and installation of a charging point, with personalised support from ordering to commissioning. Competitively priced from £1,199 including VAT (from €2,155 including VAT), it comes with a tethered cable as standard and can utilise energy generated by a domestic solar array.

Olivia Arago, Vice-President, eMobility Services, Bosch Electrified Motion, said: “Availability of the public charging network is a primary concern for almost half (44%) of potential EV buyers and we are making significant headway to improve access across Europe. We are delighted to be working so closely with Lotus customers to encourage more widespread EV adoption in the UK and EU, ensuring that drivers can readily locate and use our chargers while on the go.”

Nicolas Schottey, CEO, Mobilize Power Solutions, added: “Charging at home is the most convenient way for Lotus customers to get the most from their EV and, thanks to our solutions and this new partnership, that is now easier than ever. We are proud to be the Lotus’ EV installation partner of choice.”

Today’s announcements come on the heels of Lotus’ launch of its own EV charging solutions, including an ultra-fast 450kW DC charger, a power cabinet and a modular unit for charging up to four vehicles at once. Lotus is future-proofing its charging solutions in preparation for when next-generation fast-charging infrastructure becomes more widely available.

Lotus has committed to developing its own charging solutions to support its Vision80 strategy that is seeing the company transform from a British sports car manufacturer to an all-electric global luxury technology brand by 2028.

The company is delivering on that promise with Eletre, which started customer deliveries in 2023. Emeya was unveiled last year, and the company is expected to see it arrive with customers in H2 2024 in Europe.

For more information on Lotus charging capabilities, visit: https://www.lotuscars.com/lotus-charging

Lotus is ending its 75th anniversary year on a high as it’s named ‘Brand of the Year’ by automotive one-stop shop and media giant Carwow.

The Carwow team was full of praise for the “automotive ingenuity” demonstrated by Lotus across its latest all-electric cars – the Eletre hyper-SUV and Emeya hyper-GT. Carwow’s Eletre test-drive film shot at the Lotus EV production facility in Wuhan, China, earlier this year has been viewed more than 1.5 million times.

Mat Watson, Chief Content Officer at Carwow, said: “Lotus is right back on form and it’s great to see. The Emira is peak Lotus: light, responsive and fun; the Eletre shows that the British brand isn’t scared to embrace the future with a really impressive electric SUV; and the new Emeya gives me plenty of reason to think the company has a bright future.”

Conor Horne, Commercial Director, UK and Ireland, Lotus, said “Winning ‘Brand of the Year’ from Carwow is a fantastic finale to our 75th anniversary. With Eletre now in the hands of customers across the UK and Europe, and the world premiere of Emeya generating a huge amount of media interest and reservations, 2023 has been an amazing success story for Lotus. It’s just the start – there is so much more to come in 2024 and beyond.”

This year has also seen Lotus open new experience centres in London, Paris, Munich and Oslo, and launch in multiple new markets around the world, most recently India and South Korea.

Lotus also received a ‘Highly Commended’ award for the Lotus Emira in the ‘Pleasure of Driving’ category.

Lotus has launched today its own electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions including an ultra-fast 450 kW DC charger, power cabinet and a modular unit for charging up to four vehicles at once.

Charging anxiety remains one of the main barriers to electric vehicle adoption, with nearly 80% of the public citing the lack of charging infrastructure as a primary reason for not buying an EV in a survey conducted by the Energy Policy Institute. With Lotus’ charging capabilities, the company is providing consumers with reliability and confidence wherever they are driving.

The new suite of EV charging solutions designed for businesses includes:

• Liquid-Cooled All-in-One DC Charger: a new charger, which offers ultra-fast charging of up to 450 kW. For example, with the Lotus Eletre R, it can add up to 88.5 miles or 142 km of range with approximately 5 minutes of charge making it one of the most competitive electric vehicle chargers. A 10% to 80% charge can be achieved in just 20 minutes with a range extension of 74 miles or 120 kilometres from a 5-minute charge when using a 350 kW Rapid Charger.
  
  
• Liquid-Cooled Power Cabinet: a modular power cabinet that is suited for spaces that require high energy in order to increase efficiency and minimise charging time, such as motorway rest stops. It offers market-leading power output capabilities of up to 480 kW.
  
  
• Liquid-Cooled Charging Unit: a charging terminal, which when used with the Liquid-Cooled Power Cabinet, can charge up to four vehicles at once. The unit has a maximum current output of 600 Amp, which ensures it is able to meet the needs of all electric vehicle drivers. For instance, if they need a short top-up whilst on the go, or fast-charge for long distance drives, Lotus’ new offering provides them with a convenient solution.

Lotus is using liquid-cooled technologies throughout its suite of commercial charging solutions to make it easier and quicker for EV drivers to charge their vehicles.

Lotus’ fast-charging solutions have already been deployed in China and are expected to roll out across the majority of European countries and Middle East in Q2 2024. Further market availability will be announced in due course.

As charging infrastructure improves over time, Lotus is ensuring its customers are equipped by providing a 450 kW solution. Lotus has futureproofed its charging offering, which is expected to be the next step forward in fast charging when the infrastructure becomes readily available. Lotus customers will be able to easily upgrade to this power output without additional hardware costs once in-market service providers rollout grid upgrades.

Mike Johnstone, Chief Commercial Officer at Lotus Group, said: “Over the past six years, Lotus has been investing in the technology and infrastructure to accelerate the transition to electrification. We want to make it easier than ever to own an electric vehicle and with our latest offerings, Lotus is able to provide customers with the confidence to access easy, fast, and efficient charging.”

Alan Wang, Vice-President of Lotus Technology and CEO at Lotus Flash Charge, said: “As more governments are increasing investment into electrification in their journey to net-zero, the demand for a reliable electric vehicle charging infrastructure has never been higher than before. Lotus has developed best-in-class fast charging solutions to deliver a quick and reliable charging experience to meet customer needs.”

In 2018, Lotus announced its Vision80 strategy and plans to transform the brand from a British sports car maker to an all-electric global luxury technology brand by 2028. As part of this transition, the company is committed to developing its own range of EV charging solutions.

The company launched its first electric hyper-SUV Eletre in 2022, with customer deliveries across UK, Europe and China taking place this year. Lotus recently launched Emeya, its next-generation electric hyper-GT, in early September 2023.

Both vehicles integrate hardware, software, and cloud capabilities to develop a full stack of intelligent driving technologies. They also include HD cameras, radar, and high-precision mapping capabilities to allow the vehicles to precisely perceive their environment in a stereoscopic display, providing a smooth drive even in extreme conditions. Lotus will continue to expand its range of premium electric vehicles, as the company looks to scale in this growing market.

Lotus has seen a huge demand for its products, with an orderbook of over 19,000 vehicles for its Emira sports car and Eletre hyper-SUV. The company has ramped up production this year, having had a record-breaking first half of 2023, and expects the full year to surpass all previous years.

Lotus today has announced the company has opened its flagship showroom in Dosandae-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

The new store can be found at the heart of one of Seoul’s most famous streets known for luxury and fashion. It brings together Lotus’ rich 75-year heritage with the latest technologies to provide customers with an exclusive and immersive entry point into the Lotus brand in South Korea.

Spanning across three floors, and almost 720 square metres space, the showroom features seven Lotus vehicles. It provides consumers with an opportunity to see and experience the Lotus product range including its sportscar Emira, and electric hyper-SUV Eletre.

It also offers a VIP lounge and bespoke digital experience, where customers will be able to personalise their own vehicles. Consumers will also be able to purchase Lotus merchandise in store.

This is the brand’s first showroom in South Korea, one of the fastest growing luxury markets in the world. It forms part of Lotus’ strategic business growth plans in Asia, as the company continues to scale globally - part of its Vision80 strategy to become an all-electric global luxury technology brand by 2028.

Mike Johnstone, Chief Commercial Officer at Lotus Group said: “We are passionate about creating spaces that bring the Lotus brand to life and resonate with local consumers. This new flagship showroom demonstrates our commitment to just that and offers a bespoke entry point to our British brand. I look forward to welcoming many more customers into the Lotus community, as a result.” 

The announcement comes on the heels of Lotus’ partnership with local luxury and premium automotive retailer Kolon Mobility Group (KMG), who are the official importer and sole distributor of Lotus in the region.

Lotus began taking reservations for both Emira and Eletre earlier this year and is seeing strong demand for its luxury performance cars. The company will begin customer deliveries in South Korea in H2 2024.

The all-new Lotus Emeya hyper-GT can complete up to 25 trillion operations in the same amount of time it takes the human brain to identify an image, which is approximately 50 milliseconds, or 1/20th of a second.* In an all-electric automotive era, Lotus believes processing power is the new horsepower – and Emeya is a thoroughbred.

Lotus Emeya combines 75 years of heritage with intelligent performance. Its in-vehicle supercomputer is the NVIDIA DRIVE platform, which acts as the brain for Lotus’ intelligent vehicles, providing data centre-class processing power.

Dual NVIDIA DRIVE Orin systems-on-a-chip (SoCs) are used to process data from 34 state-of-the-art-surround sensors up to 30 times a second, offering 360-degree perception with no blind spots.

Four deployable LiDARs, 18 radars, seven 8 mp cameras and five 2 mp cameras combine to ensure driver confidence by scanning for obstacles at a radius of up to 200m around the car, in every direction, even in low light or inclement weather. They even reconstruct a virtual environment around the vehicle to define the best trajectory – an essential requirement in an autonomous future.

All of this processing power comes from two NVIDIA SoCs, which combined deliver 508 trillion operations per second, or TOPS, of compute in a compact form factor, measuring the size of a postage stamp, just 3mm thick.

Built on the automotive manufacturer’s innovative and versatile Electric Premium Architecture (EPA) that already underpins the Eletre hyper-SUV, the Emeya hyper-GT is Lotus’ latest iteration of a car that is truly for the drivers.

Maximilian Szwaj, Vice-President of Lotus Technology and Managing Director, LTIC said: “Processing power is quickly becoming the new horsepower. That’s why, with Emeya, we’ve built a supercomputer on wheels. It is packed with high-tech features designed to provide customers confidence, safety and satisfaction. It is also fully future-proofed and ready for an autonomous future, with software that can be continually updated over the air.”

Ali Kani, Vice President of Automotive at NVIDIA, added: “With NVIDIA DRIVE Orin as the brain of the Emeya, Lotus customers will be able to experience new convenience and safety features throughout the life of the car.”

Powered by technological innovation

The Lotus Emeya hyper-GT hosts a suite of intelligent features, powered by the dual NVIDIA DRIVE Orin configuration, to help drivers maximise the car’s safe and secure driving capabilities and build in the headroom support for future potential features through over-the-air (OTA) software updates. An electronically controlled air suspension feels the road ahead at a rate of 1,000 times per second, making dynamic adjustments to ensure a confident and inspiring ride, which can be for either comfort or spirited driving.

A raft of advanced aerodynamic technologies, including an active front grille, rear diffuser and rear spoiler, combine to smooth airflow and create class-leading levels of downforce. These technologies are spiritual successors to the innovative aerodynamics that shot Lotus to fame on race circuits around the world.

Packaged beneath the floor is a state-of-the-art 800-volt, 102 kWh Lithium-ion battery pack. Compared to conventional 400-volt systems, the 800-volt architecture allows drivers to charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes when connected to a 350kW DC fast charger.

An interior in perfect balance

The interior of Lotus Emeya features a stunning 15.1” OLED touchscreen that displays beautifully crisp, clear images using over 16 million colours, with up to seven configurable screens also available. The central screen and Lotus Emeya’s intelligent ‘Digital Cockpit’ are powered by a dual-configuration setup of Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8155 processor and Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 3 software.

This software and hardware enable the functionality of Lotus’ award-winning Hyper OS. Occupants will now be able to seamlessly operate the user interface with zero lag while also experiencing beautifully rendered real-time graphics with great interactive feedback for complete control.

Drivers can quickly access crucial external environment details using the expansive augmented reality head-up display. It combines real-time road information with navigation and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) data, connecting the driver to the road with instant access to crucial environmental information and avoiding distractions from excessive information.

Smart, intelligent and future-proofed

The Lotus Emeya boasts a state-of-the-art intelligent EV routing system which is capable of learning individual driving patterns, such as departure times, destinations and routes, to offer more personalised journeys.

Backed by future-proofed hardware and software, Emeya not only provides the very latest ADAS functionality but is also purpose-built for a safe, autonomous and connected future. With 5G connectivity enabled, Emeya supports OTA updates to ensure the car is continually improving.

Emeya joins as a flagship model in Lotus’ line-up of luxury lifestyle electric vehicles, part of the company’s vision to become a global performance brand by 2028. Production is expected to begin in 2024.

Details on market availability and pricing will be announced at a future date.

The Lotus Emira GT4 completed a stunning ‘clean sweep’ victory in its international race debut at the Macau Grand Prix in China. TORO Racing drivers Luo Kailuo and Adam Christodoulou took first and second positions, holding a commanding 12-second lead over the third-place finisher.

Both Emira GT4 race cars paid tribute to Lotus' 75 years of successful motorsport heritage and showcased the brand’s classic black and gold livery. Locking out the front row of the grid, they led from the start and were in complete control when the race was stopped early following an on-track incident. Race organisers determined the final positions based on the order before the stoppage, resulting in Luo Kailuo and Adam Christodoulou taking first and second in the GT4 class. Their best lap times were 2:31.392 and 2:31.724 respectively.

The Lotus Emira GT4 has been homologated for competition in global GT4 classes and, thanks to a comprehensive options list, is also eligible for other non-homologated and specialist race series around the world. It is powered by a Lotus-tuned 3.5-litre V6 with Motec engine management and a Harrop TVS 1900 supercharger. It features a Hewland six-speed sequential transmission with paddleshift actuation and limited-slip differential. Power output is 455 bhp with 500Nm of torque, though both were reduced slightly for the Macau Grand Prix to ensure a fair race with all competitors.

Ringo Chong, Team Director at TORO Racing, commented: ”The Emira GT4's three greatest strengths in the race were: first, the centre of gravity is very low, like flying on the ground; second, the car's steering is flexible, which gives the car a good advantage in the sharp corners of the Macau Grand Prix circuit; and third, we have added tuning for the city track and the mountain track to meet the demands of more intense driving.”

Feng Qingfeng, CEO of Lotus Group, was trackside to see the stunning 1-2 finish. He commented: "A racetrack is the only place better suited for a Lotus than the road. Lotus has been competing on the racetrack for 75 years, and championships have been a long-standing tradition for Lotus."

Established in 1954, the Macau Grand Prix is renowned for its challenging circuit. As one of the oldest street races in the world, it combines intricate twists, sharp bends and demanding terrain, pushing high-performance cars and the best drivers to their limits.

Lotus unveils Type 136,  a new performance model featuring the lightest e-bike motor from HPS* to deliver dual-use functionality that will allow riders to go further, faster and higher.

The all-new bike harnesses design and engineering excellence from more than 30 years of road and track cycling success, while incorporating cutting-edge technology from the present day. The striking aero design has been inspired by Lotus’ gold medal-winning success in Olympic velodromes around the world, from the iconic Type 108 bike at the 1992 Barcelona Games to the most recent competition at Tokyo 2020. There the Hope/Lotus track bike helped the Great Britain track cycling team top the event medal table.

Handmade in Italy, the lightweight carbon fibre frame and state-of-the-art components mean Type 136 weighs just 9.8 kilograms. It features V-shaped handlebars, wing-shaped forks, and vaulted chain stays, helping it carve through the air with speed and efficiency.

The innovation continues with the battery, disguised as a water bottle and detached from the frame at the push of a button.

The bike’s Watt Assist Pro Motor system is derived from the Mars Lander Project – where limited weight and zero maintenance were critical factors to the mission’s success. It is the lightest e-bike motor system on the market from HPS* and weighs just 1.2kg in total. An elegant and compact bottom bracket shell that seamlessly integrates into the bike’s frame, the motor itself weighs just 300 grams.

In tribute to Lotus’ tradition of Type numbers for its new models, Type 136 is available as an exclusive limited first edition launch production run of just 136 bikes. These will be individually numbered and available in an iconic motorsport livery. The standard model will go on sale in Spring 2024.

Founded in 1948 and 75 years old this year, Lotus is best known as a global luxury performance brand, world-renowned for the design, engineering and manufacture of thrilling two-seater sports cars such as Esprit, Elise and Elite. Its latest range of all-electric models includes Emeya hyper-GT and Eletre hyper-SUV. The brand’s halo product is Evija, the world’s most powerful series production road car.

Lotus is unique in the automotive industry for its success in the world of track cycling, where its pioneering spirit and passion for pushing the boundaries is legendary. Type 108 rewrote the rule book on bike design and is recognised as one of the most iconic machines of all time, inspiring a generation of professional cyclists such as Sir Chris Hoy.

The six-time Olympic Champion is now a Lotus brand ambassador. Speaking at the world premiere of Type 136, he said: "This is an incredible bike, which says so much about the pioneering endeavours of Lotus and the iconic status of its bikes over the years. As a teenager I vividly remember watching Chris Boardman powering Type 108 to a gold medal in Barcelona in 1992 and smashing records on Type 110 to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France two years later.”

Feng Qingfeng, CEO, Lotus Group, commented: "I am proud to launch the Lotus Type 136 as the next chapter in our high-performance journey. For the past 75 years, Lotus has been relentlessly pushing the boundaries of innovation on the road and track. Type 136 shows that we continue to do so. Launching alongside Eletre, Emeya and Evija, it will further expand global perceptions of what to expect from Lotus.”

The Lotus Type 136 was unveiled at an exclusive VIP event at the Lotus London brand store and will be showcased at Rouleur LIVE in London from 2-4 November 2023.

Price information:

First Edition RRP £20,000 / €25,000

For More Information: https://www.lotuscars.com/en-GB/type-136

A single line, running through the profile of the car, from the tip of the nose to the blade of light integrated into the rear. A simple gesture from a creative mind, it’s the design origin behind Emeya, the all-new and all-electric hyper-GT from Lotus.

This single line – the automotive equivalent of a signature swoosh – inspired the ‘hyperstance’, proportions and overall design of Emeya. It seamlessly recaptures the aesthetic of earlier iconic mid-engined Lotus designs whilst carrying it into the future, emphasising dynamism, continuity and agility.

An iconic sports car brand launched in 1948, Lotus rose to fame for its performance-oriented, agile and fun-to-drive two-seaters including Elite, Elan, Esprit, Elise, Evora and, most recently, Emira. Now the brand is transforming.

Emeya draws inspiration from all 75 years of Lotus performance car DNA, whilst being a symbol of progression. It is the future of Lotus. The powerful exterior lines create dramatic musculature, with an ultra-narrow LED running across the rear as part of an intelligent taillight. It’s a theme that translates into the interior, with a further blade of light – and the ‘ribbon of technology’ first seen in the Eletre hyper-SUV – creating a shared user interface for Emeya’s front-seat occupants.

Ben Payne, Vice-President of Design, Lotus, said: “By combining progressive technologies with an aesthetic that draws from the past, Emeya takes us into the future, projecting Lotus into a new segment of the automotive landscape.”

Other signature design elements of Emeya share clear lineage from the Lotus Evija hypercar, and have already been seen in Eletre and the Emira sports car. Porosity, unlocked by eight vents, ensures air flows through the car to improve performance, battery cooling and range whilst creating a striking exterior design.

Emeya also boasts a low centre of gravity, which Lotus calls ‘hyperstance’. Positioning the battery between the wheels and close to the ground creates a true sports car look with a ‘cab-forward’ silhouette. The long wheelbase with short overhangs gives the impression that the wheels are at the corners, giving Emeya a more planted, dynamic stance. Bold muscular wheel arches are a Lotus signature that date back to road and race machines of the 1950s and 1960s, a pure design feature that emphasise Emeya’s performance heritage.

LED by light

The Lotus Emeya hyper-GT features a unique daytime running light (DRL) design. The road presence of the car is significantly enhanced by this ultra-slim and sharp DRL layout. The headlamps stay almost hidden in the aperture beneath the DRLs, delivering a very clean front-end execution.

Emeya also boasts industry leading taillight technology and design, featuring the thinnest RGB dynamic LED rear light bar ever seen on any production car.

Bold and dynamic Interior

In the interior, a single blade of light runs round the cabin, creating a cocoon of progressive luxury for all occupants. The ultra-thin winglets which flow into the centre of the dashboard are a subtle nod to founder Colin Chapman’s famous passion for reducing weight everywhere, while also highlighting the design team's attention to contemporary craftsmanship.

All elements of the interior are designed and ergonomically developed with the same philosophy of lightness through form and materiality. Blending progressive performance and technical artistry, Emeya’s interior makes extensive use of durable repurposed fibres and advanced luxury materials.

Knurled metal on all interior touchpoints offers luxurious tactility, further enhancing the sense of refinement. Exposed carbon fibre elements bring the focus back to the brand's illustrious racing heritage, gently reminding occupants that Emeya is a performance car ‘For The Drivers’.

The creation process behind Emeya has made use of analogue and digital tools. The car was crafted physically using traditional methods, then refined digitally. A parallel process involved constant development of clay models, digitalisation, rework, refinement and review in physical and virtual environments, accelerating the speed and precision to which Lotus could bring Emeya to market.

The world-class design team is led by Ben Payne, Vice-President of Design at Lotus Group. Ben brings an extensive knowledge of automotive design and brand, having held influential roles at several premium car companies and creative agencies.

The global premiere of Emeya took place in the heart of New York City, USA, in September 2023 as part of Studio Emeya, a three-day immersive brand experience showcasing the past, present and future of Lotus.

Further information on Emeya will be released during Q4. Details on market availability and pricing will be announced at a future date.

Lotus has opened the doors of a new flagship store in Paris, France. Located in the famous ‘Golden Triangle’ area of the world's fashion capital, it is in the perfect city centre location amongst other luxury and haute couture brand boutiques.

Following on from high-profile openings in London, Munich and Oslo, the new store in Paris brings together Lotus’ long-standing commitment to technology, performance and heritage by providing customers with an exclusive and immersive entry into the brand.

Lotus Paris is located at 33 Rue François 1er, close to the Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissement. It offers three floors dedicated to the brand's past, present and future. The ground floor serves as a street-level walk-in showcase and launch venue for the next-generation vehicle line-up – the Eletre hyper-SUV, Emira sports car, Evija hypercar and Emeya hyper-GT. Above, the first floor is dedicated to the brand's iconic heritage; conceived as an open-plan exhibition space and gallery, it will regularly display classic road and race cars from Lotus’ 75-year history.

Finally, the basement tells the story of the brand's ambition and its plans for the future. It also includes a VIP lounge and Virtual Reality configurator to help customers discover and personalise their own vehicles, with Lotus product experts on hand to support them.

To celebrate its opening, which takes place during Paris Fashion Week 2023, Lotus Paris will host the European premiere of Emeya. It is the company’s first four-door hyper-GT, unveiled earlier this month in New York.

Niels de Gruijter, Executive Director, Lotus Cars Europe, said: “This flagship store in Paris is a huge milestone and further proof of our ongoing commitment to transform Lotus into a world-class provider of all-electric, intelligent, luxury performance products.”

Lotus has started customer deliveries of Eletre hyper-SUV in Europe and has this month expanded its business across the continent, launching new commercial operations in Denmark, Austria and Luxembourg. With the addition of these three new countries, Lotus is now represented in 12 markets across Europe. Those are UK/Ireland, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.

Niels added: “Lotus has strengthened its European footprint and will continue to do so. The recent opening of flagship stores in London, Munich, Oslo and now Paris – plus our three new markets – is playing a key role in building both the Lotus brand and long-lasting relationships with our customers.”

For the opening of the store in Paris – also known as the City of Light for its pioneering use of public lighting in the 19th century – Lotus and digital artist Ksawery Kirklewski have united their talents and passions for retro-futurism to craft an immersive illuminated experience. Their collaboration has delivered an LED techno-chromatic spectacular around an Eletre hyper-SUV with the brand centre.

From Thursday 28 September Lotus Paris will be open to the public who can admire the new Lotus Emeya. It’s a luxury performance car which is setting a new benchmark for how a Lotus drives and feels by combining the company’s 75-year expertise in engineering and design, with the latest advanced innovations – bringing drivers an electric car that is exciting to drive and performs exceptionally.

Lotus brand stores form a key pillar in its global customer experience strategy, focused on building a direct relationship and creating unique, personalised experiences for customers. Lotus plans to launch further stores worldwide in key markets including Europe, Asia and the USA.

Lotus has today announced a unique collaboration with Onoto, the distinguished handcrafted, British luxury fountain pen brand, in celebration of the 75-year heritage of Lotus.  In 2023, Lotus reflects on 75 years of innovation and success, which have unquestionably helped shape the motoring and motorsport landscapes of today and have created some of the world’s most renowned and loved cars.

Both companies are dedicated to the highest levels of British craftsmanship and are thrilled to unite in this partnership. A milestone occasion, it provides an opportunity for Lotus to showcase its unwavering commitment to industry-leading excellence.

This exclusive collaboration between Lotus and Onoto has resulted in the creation of an iconic limited-edition pen, with a RRP of €3,785. With Aluminium being the principal material of choice for Lotus Cars, from the very first Lotus MK1 in 1948, the exquisite writing instrument is crafted using premium quality recycled aluminium sourced from historic Lotus Formula One cars. The aluminium has been sourced from significant car designs throughout the 75 years of Lotus, in particular the Type 72 which was one of its most successful and iconic Formula One cars, adding a touch of British heritage to the design.

The renowned "ACBC" personal monogram – the initials of Lotus Cars founder Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman (CBE), known to all as Colin Chapman – is showcased on the finial of the pen, enhancing its elegance. In honour of the remarkable history of Lotus, this writing tool is the perfect example of two exceptional brands coming together to create something truly unique and timeless.

Founded by Thomas De La Rue in 1905, Onoto produces exquisite writing instruments that combine traditional techniques with modern materials and innovative technologies. Over the course of the past century, Onoto has established itself as a symbol of excellence in British pen manufacturing and artistry. Each Onoto pen is hand-made by a small team of highly skilled jewellers and pen-masters. Esteemed figures, such as Winston Churchill, Florence Nightingale, and the respected Japanese writer Natsume Soseki, were counted among the brand's clientele.

Vice President of Group Lotus and Global Head of Lotus Life, Yingjia Yao says: "We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Onoto, a brand that shares our commitment to exceptional quality and innovative design. Their pens are a true testament to British craftsmanship, with remarkable attention to detail and visually appealing designs. As we embark on a new journey with Onoto, we're excited to work with our design team to shape a more sustainable world. We're thrilled to offer this collaboration to our valued customers and committed to advancing innovation for a brighter future."

Price information:

RRP €3,785

https://onoto.com/product/lotus-cars-75th-anniversary-pen

Lotus today has announced Victoria Tomlinson has joined the business as Executive Director of PR and Communications.

In her new role, Victoria will oversee global communications for Lotus Group, including its high-performance sports car business, Lotus Cars, and its all-electric, luxury vehicle unit, Lotus Technology.

Victoria will lead the global PR and communications strategy across the organisation’s key markets including UK, Europe, USA, Asia and MENA. She will also be responsible for scaling the global team and overseeing all product, corporate, consumer and employee communications.

By 2028, Lotus plans to grow the business into a global luxury performance brand, with the ambition to sell 150,000 electric vehicles annually. Victoria will play an integral role in driving forward the overall growth of the Lotus brand and narrative, reaching new audiences worldwide.

Victoria brings a wealth of experience building and amplifying communications plans globally to multiple audiences such as investors, consumers, businesses and government affairs for automotive and technology scale-ups. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President of Brand, Communications and Government Affairs at Arrival. Victoria led the company’s PR and IR communications strategy for its public listing in March 2021, which at the time was the UK’s largest ever IPO with a $8 billion float on Nasdaq. She has also held leadership roles at Roborace and Mind Candy.

Mike Johnstone, Chief Commercial Officer at Lotus Group, said: “The next five years are critical for the business, as we deliver on our promise to become a global luxury performance brand. We will begin launching new products and solutions worldwide, and Victoria brings key experience in this area and will play a crucial role in telling our story to new audiences.”

Commenting on her new role, Victoria said: “Lotus has ambitious plans to transform its entire product offering and scale globally in the next five years, and I can’t think of a more exciting time to join the business. It’s a real privilege to support and shape the communication of Lotus’ extensive heritage and its ambitious future plans.”

In 2018, Lotus announced its Vision80 strategy and plans to transform the brand from a heritage automotive company to an all-electric, intelligent, luxury mobility provider in the next ten years.

The company launched its first electric hyper-SUV Eletre last year, with customer deliveries taking place in China at the end of March 2023 and UK and Europe imminently. Lotus recently launched Emeya, its next generation electric hyper-GT, in early September 2023.

Lotus continues to see a huge demand for its products, with an orderbook of over 17,000 vehicles for its Emira sports car and Eletre hyper-SUV. Lotus has ramped up production this year, having had a record-breaking first half of 2023, with an 381% increase from FY22. It expects the full year to surpass all previous years.

Lotus today has unveiled Emeya, the company’s first four-door hyper-GT, in New York City. “Bringing together our rich heritage with intelligent performance and the latest cutting-edge technologies, we’re pushing the boundaries for how a luxury electric vehicle should look and handle– making it truly for the drivers,” said Feng Qingfeng, CEO, Lotus Group.

Emeya is setting a new benchmark for how a Lotus drives and feels by combining the company’s 75-year expertise in engineering and design, with the latest advanced innovations – bringing drivers an electric car that is exciting to drive and performs exceptionally.

This includes advanced and active aerodynamic features such as the pioneering active front grille, rear diffuser and rear spoiler. All this, combined with a low centre of gravity that Lotus calls ‘hyperstance’, enhances stability when driving, and sets a new standard in the GT segment for ride and handling excellence.

Emeya has an electronically controlled air suspension system. Its advanced onboard sensors feel the road 1,000 times a second and automatically adjust the vehicle to ensure the smoothest ride.

The top specification model for Emeya features Lotus’ high-power dual motor set-up that delivers a top speed of more than 155mph (250km/h) and can accelerate from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in under 2.8 seconds, making it one of the fastest electric GTs in the world.

To provide customers with confidence wherever they’re travelling, the performance of Emeya is complemented by Lotus’ market-leading charging capabilities. It can add 93 miles (150km) of range with approximately five minutes of charge using a 350kW DC fast charger, as well as boost range up to 80% within 18 minutes.

Emeya has been consciously designed with advanced sustainable materials that are also sustainably sourced, to reduce its carbon footprint. This includes a new luxury thread made from repurposed fibres from the fashion industry – as well as PVD aluminium, Alcantara, Nappa leather, and Ultrafabrics PU.

Ensuring that every occupant can enjoy an unrivalled music experience, the Emeya will offer a truly immersive audio system developed with KEF. Emeya’s speaker system will elevate music listening to new levels. It features KEF’s award-winning Uni-Q® speaker design and Uni-Core™ space-saving subwoofer enclosure, as well as Dolby Atmos-enabled 3D surround sound – first seen in a Lotus on the Eletre Hyper-SUV.

“This is a Lotus like you have never seen before. We’ve built on everything Lotus has achieved so far to create a luxury performance car for the drivers, designed to inspire confidence, exhilarate with raw emotion and pure joy – connecting them to the road,” said Ben Payne, Vice-President of Design, Lotus Group.

Emeya brings together emotion and logic, power, and precision, and connects the strength of Lotus sports car DNA with four-door luxury and comfort. The name Emeya was chosen to embody the ambition and commitment which Lotus has for this new vehicle.

Emeya joins as a flagship model in Lotus’ line-up of luxury lifestyle electric vehicles, part of the company’s vision to become a global performance brand by 2028. Production is expected to begin in 2024.

The global premiere of the car took place in the heart of New York City, USA, as part of a three-day immersive brand experience showcasing the past, present and future of Lotus at Studio Emeya.

The activation took over four storeys of a parking lot in Manhattan, inviting attendees on Lotus’ journey and showcasing its rich heritage and experience. The event gave guests an exclusive look at how Emeya was created, and the emotion evoked by driving, before it culminated with an immersive reveal of the car and a rooftop party that saw DJ and radio presenter Benji B entertain crowds as they got up close and personal with Emeya.

Studio Emeya will be open for one day only to the public. To experience the event themselves on Saturday 9 September by registering at: https://StudioEmeya.eventbrite.com

Further information on Emeya will be released in Q4. Details on market availability and pricing will be announced at a future date.

The Lotus Eletre hyper-SUV has made its public debut in North America at Monterey Car Week, taking centre stage at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering.

Visitors were thrilled to see the highly anticipated Eletre in Blossom Grey on the Lotus stand, commenting on the spaciousness and the incredible number of features included. The retail team received significant interest, kick-starting the push for customer deposits in advance of the Eletre launching in the USA market in 2024.

The first of a new breed of pure electric performance SUVs, the Eletre takes the core principles from 75 years of sports car design and engineering. It evolves the brand as a desirable lifestyle vehicle that is practical and spacious, while packed with the latest digital technology to make their driving life safer and more convenient. Eletre takes Lotus’ DNA of creating vehicles that people love to drive, and effortlessly combines it with the latest cutting-edge technology to create a vehicle that is fun to drive, as well as being comfortable enough for long-range road trips and city driving alike.

The Eletre is priced from £89,500 in the UK and €95,990 in Europe. The most premium versions are the Eletre S and Eletre R. The Eletre S is focused on customers seeking luxury. The enhanced specification over the base model includes additional features such as soft door close, privacy glass, active rear spoiler, configurable ambient lighting, illuminated side sills, air quality system, 2,160-watt 23-speaker KEF Reference Audio system, and 22-inch 10-spoke forged wheels in grey with a diamond-turned finish.

The flagship Eletre R is all about performance, and benefits from the Lotus Dynamic Handling Pack (comprising Intelligent Active Roll Control and Active Rear Steering), Carbon Pack, Pirelli P Zero performance tyres, and a gloss black finish for the wheels. There’s also a sixth Drive Mode: Track.

Lotus also celebrated its 75th anniversary year with the world debut of Type 66 at both The Quail and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Bringing history back to life, the Type 66 is a stunning, track-only car with a limited production run of just 10 units. It reimagines a ‘lost Lotus’ drawing board programme from the brand’s world-renowned motorsport heritage, combining it with today’s state-of-the-art racing technology and components.

F1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi would have likely raced the car in the 1970s had it gone to production. He was at The Quail on Friday to help with the unveiling. “It’s been an honour to be a part of this reveal and share the Type 66 with the public,” he said. “I’m so happy to have had this opportunity.”

The final treat for Lotus’ fans was the reveal of Jenson Button’s bespoke Evjia electric hypercar.  His unique spec was chosen in consultation with the Lotus Design team and the special colour scheme pays tribute to his 2009 F1 World Championship-winning Brawn GP race car – Arctic White with Verve Yellow and Carbon Black accents.

In an F1 career spanning seasons 2006-2012, Button had 15 race victories. The aluminium strip that runs vertically through the driver’s seat centre has been laser-etched with the dates and locations of each of those wins – just one example of the attention to detail that Lotus can offer to Evija customers.

Lotus has brought history back to life with the world premiere of the Type 66 – and confirmed the stunning track-only car will go into production.

This unique project was unveiled at ‘The Quail, A Motorsport Gathering’ as part of Monterey Car Week in California, USA. Truly exotic in its design execution, the Type 66 is a new, ultra-exclusive low-volume car from Lotus. It brings to life a ‘lost Lotus’ drawing board programme from the brand’s world-renowned motorsport heritage, combining it with today’s state-of-the-art racing technology and components.

The Type 66 has been launched in Lotus’ 75th anniversary year and is testament to the brand's desire to reimagine the best elements of its heritage, updating them in the most exhilarating way possible.

With his eyes on the high-profile and commercially lucrative Can-Am Series, Lotus founder Colin Chapman tasked Team Lotus draughtsman Geoff Ferris to launch the Type 66 project to evaluate how Lotus design principles could be applied to this exciting category. Chapman’s primary focus on Formula 1 meant the innovative project never went beyond technical drawings and scale models. In a fitting tribute to the brand’s illustrious racing pedigree and heritage, Lotus has proudly fulfilled the original vision 53 years after the designer first put pen to paper.

Only 10 examples of this ‘rediscovered and reimagined’ Lotus V8 will be built. It’s a total selected to commemorate the number of races the Type 66 would have competed in during the 1970 season.

The car made its public debut in a heritage-inspired livery – reflecting the red, white and gold colours Lotus raced in during the early Seventies – and which could have adorned the Type 66, alongside the all-conquering Lotus Type 72 F1 car.

The Type 66 is one of the most exclusive projects Lotus has ever undertaken and each example will cost in excess of £1million.

Simon Lane, Executive Director, Lotus Advanced Performance, said: “The Type 66 perfectly blends the past and present. It takes drivers back in time, to the iconic design, sound and pure theatre of motorsport more than 50 years ago, with added 21st century performance and safety. This is a truly unique project and in our 75th anniversary year it’s the perfect gift from Lotus, to fans worldwide and to a handful of customers.”

He continued: “While the visual expression is strikingly similar to what could have been – including the period-correct white, red and gold graphics – the technology and mechanical underpinnings of the Lotus Type 66 represent the very best in today’s advanced racing performance.”

Crucial to the development of the Type 66 programme has been Clive Chapman, Managing Director of Classic Team Lotus and son of Colin Chapman. It was documents held by Clive which allowed the Lotus Design team to bring the car to life.

He commented: “The car would have shared many innovative features with our most successful F1 chassis, the Lotus Type 72, which was developed during the same era. These include side-mounted radiators which helped reduce front drag, increase front downforce and channel airflow through and over the car. The rear of the car incorporates a distinctive tail section, resembling the Le Mans endurance cars of the period. These features would have boosted its downforce considerably, compared to rivals, aiding high-speed stability and ultimately its lap times. It would have been spectacular, as is the actual Type 66 we see today.”

Clive said it’s highly likely that Lotus F1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi would have driven the Type 66 if it had been built. The Brazilian was guest of honour on the Lotus stand at The Quail and helped to unveil the car.

The Lotus Type 66 has benefitted from more than half a century of technical progress since it was imagined to optimise its design, engineering and manufacture. Using state-of-the-art computer software, the team led by Russell Carr, Design Director, Lotus, digitised a series of 1/4 and 1/10th scale drawings supplied by Clive Chapman and created 3D renders to provide an entirely new perspective of the vehicle. The original sketches were true to Colin Chapman’s early designs, featuring a cockpit enclosure that would reduce drag and improve airflow to the rear wing.

In order to conform to modern safety standards and to ensure 21st century driver confidence, the original designs were delicately reinterpreted. New features to the vehicle include a modernised driver compartment, inboard fuel cell, sequential transmission and anti-stall system. Everything is contained in a full carbon fibre bodyshell.

The front wing was designed to channel air from the front of the car, through and underneath the rear wings, generating more downforce than the vehicle’s total weight at full speed. This sense of porosity, where air travels through a vehicle, rather than around it, remains a signature element of Lotus vehicle design today and is seen on the Emira sports car, Eletre SUV and Evija hypercar.

Russell said: “We are incredibly proud to have completed such a unique project, and one that Colin Chapman was personally involved in. There is a real delicacy in remastering the past. This is not a re-edition or a restomod, but a completely new breed of Lotus – a commitment that our past glories will continue to be reflected in our future.”

Optimised aerodynamics has been part of the Lotus DNA for all of its 75 years, and the Type 66 is no exception. More than 1,000 hours of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) work has gone into the programme, resulting in downforce in excess of 800kg at 150mph. That’s far more than the original underbody design would have been able to manage, enhancing both driver safety and vehicle performance for quicker lap times.

Advanced ‘driver-in-the-loop’ technology has been used to test how the vehicle would perform on race tracks around the globe, such as Laguna Seca, Silverstone, Fuji and Spa. Thanks to modern-day engineering and ingenuity, the Type 66 now matches the dynamic performance and lap times of a modern GT3 race car. On some circuits, such as Laguna Seca, simulator work suggests it could actually be quicker.

At the heart of the Type 66 is a period-representative V8 push-rod engine. It’s mid-mounted for optimised handling, tuned by Lotus to produce more than 830bhp at 8,800rpm*. Bespoke modern-day components include an aluminium forged crank, rod and pistons, which generate torque of more than 746 Nm at 7,400rpm*. The iconic Can-Am-inspired air intake ‘trumpets’ take centre stage at the top of the engine. These not only smooth out the air intake to create laminar flow, but also greatly improve the volumetric efficiency, allowing for greater combustion and more power.

The chassis is also period-representative, with extruded aluminium sections, bonded joints and aluminium honeycomb panels adding to its authenticity. To ensure drivers can unlock maximum performance when on track, the Type 66 features modern comforts such as an EPASS motorsport power steering column, a sequential racing gearbox with reverse, a race ABS braking system, an anti-stall multi-plate clutch and a fixed rollover bar.

Following the car’s world debut at The Quail, the Type 66 will be displayed on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on Sunday 20 August.

* Target performance data

F1 World Champion Jenson Button will debut his bespoke Lotus Evija at ‘The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering’ on Friday 18 August.

Like all examples of the Evija, Button’s car is completely bespoke and based on the spec which he chose in consultation with the Lotus Design team. The unique colour scheme pays tribute to his 2009 F1 World Championship-winning Brawn GP race car – Arctic White, with Verve Yellow and Carbon Black as accents. The number 22 is prominently displayed on the deployable door mirror housing, a nod to Jenson’s race number during that amazing season. It is also replicated on the interior door lining.

As an example of the attention to detail Lotus can offer Evija customers, the aluminium strip which runs vertically through the seat centre has been laser-etched with the date and location of every one of Jenson’s 15 F1 race wins. Spanning the seasons 2006-2012, it includes the six victories that helped him win the 2009 Championship.

Button, who will be on the Lotus stand at The Quail, commented: “The car looks sensational and in a colour scheme which means so much to me. The Lotus team has done an amazing job to deliver the design proposal we dreamed up together – they’ve created a real head-turner.”

Simon Lane, Director, Lotus Advanced Performance, added: “I’m delighted to be with Jenson in California as he reveals his Lotus Evija to the world for the first time. It’s a fantastic moment for the whole team, which has worked so hard to bring Jenson’s vision to life.”

The cabin of Jenson’s car is dominated by the white and black perforated leather seats, with an ebony Alcantara headliner and steering wheel. Lime Yellow contrast stitching is another bespoke feature and adds further eye-catching detail. The same colour has been used to enhance the look of the pedals, centre console rotary, start/stop button, steering wheel-mounted mode switch and air vent surrounds.

The brake calipers are Verve Yellow, housed in gloss black alloy wheels with magnesium matt black highlights. The centre-locking wheel nut is another motorsport-inspired feature of the Evija and is finished in anodised silver.

Personalisation of the Lotus Evija is a significant part of the customer experience, though all versions of the pure electric hypercar are identical in terms of powertrain and performance. At The Quail, the car’s power output was revealed as 1,500 kW / 2,039 PS – more than the 2,000 PS announced when the Evija was unveiled, and confirming it as the most powerful series production road car ever.

Visitors to The Quail will also be able to witness the unveiling of a thrilling all-new performance car that takes inspiration from Lotus’ iconic racing heritage, and see the US debut of the Lotus Eletre Hyper-SUV.

Lotus today has announced the appointment of Ben Payne as Vice-President of Design at Lotus Group.

Ben most recently led the team responsible for the design development of the Eletre hyper-SUV, the company’s first vehicle beyond traditional sports cars, marking a key milestone for the business on its journey to become a global performance brand by 2028.

In his newly appointed role, Ben will oversee all design for the Lotus brand, working closely with group leadership and collaborate with the commercial team to drive forward the growth of Lotus. This will ensure design consistency, synergies and creative leadership across the whole brand.

Ben succeeds Peter Horbury, who passed away in June 2023.

Commenting on his new role, Ben Payne said: “Having worked extremely closely with Peter over the past five years, it was a privilege to call him a friend and great mentor in shaping global creative leadership and influencing my own design philosophy. It’s an honour to be taking on this new role, and I am excited to further elevate the brand globally.”

Feng Qingfeng, CEO at Lotus Group, said: “Lotus is renowned for its world-class design, and Ben has played a key role in ensuring our new lifestyle electric vehicles stay true to the heritage of the Lotus brand. We have ambitious plans to scale rapidly by 2028, and I look forward to working with Ben as we deliver new vehicles and expand into new markets.”

Ben brings an extensive knowledge of automotive design and brand, having held influential roles at Aston Martin and Bugatti, and has diverse consultancy experience with The Makkina.

In 2018, Lotus announced its Vision80 strategy and plans to transform the brand from a heritage automotive company to an all-electric, intelligent, luxury mobility provider by 2028 – when the business turns 80.  The company has seen a huge demand for its products, with an orderbook of over 17,000 vehicles for its Emira sports car and Eletre hyper-SUV. Lotus has ramped up production this year, already delivering Emiras to customers, and expects to deliver the Eletre to customers in the UK and Europe later this summer. The business had a record first half of the year for production and expects the full year to surpass previous sale years.

Lotus today has announced the business had a record-breaking first half of 2023.

Key achievements for the first six months to 30 June 2023 include:

• Order book grew to approximately 17,000 vehicles worldwide for the Eletre, Lotus’ first electric lifestyle hyper-SUV, and Emira, a mid-engine sports car.  
• Produced over 2,200 Emiras in its UK sportscar manufacturing facility, which is a 381 percent increase from FY22. The order book for Emira is full for the next two years. 
• Production of Lotus’ lifestyle hyper-SUV, Eletre, ramped up this year in its first all-electric vehicle factory. Customer deliveries began in China at the end of March, and Lotus expects to deliver to UK and European customers later this summer.  
• Lotus expanded its global retail network to 193 stores, opening 24 new outlets over the first half of 2023.  
• Expanded into South Korea, one of the largest luxury markets in the world, through a partnership to sell Lotus vehicles with the leading regional automotive retailer, Kolon Mobility Group. 
• Nine awards won globally including ‘SUV of the Year’ for Eletre at GQ Car Awards and ‘Best Performance Car’ for Emira at UK Car of the Year Awards.  
• Mike Johnstone joined the business as Chief Commercial Officer, bringing over 25 years of international experience in leading and growing automotive brands. He will be responsible for the Lotus’s global business and product strategy, as well as international expansion.

Feng Qingfeng, CEO of Lotus Group said: “We set an ambitious goal in 2018, with the launch of our Vision80 strategy to transform the business from a traditional automotive brand to become an all-electric, luxury, mobility provider in ten years. We have spent the last few years laying the foundations for success and today’s announcement demonstrates that Lotus is no longer the same business that it has been in previous years. We are firmly on track to becoming a global performance brand by 2028.”

Lotus plans to further ramp up production and sales for the second half of the year and expects the full year to surpass all previous years.

Lotus has announced Conor Horne has joined the business as Commercial Director of UK and Ireland.

In his new role, Conor will work closely with Lotus’ leadership team to further develop the company’s business development strategy, as well as identifying new opportunities for growth in the UK and Ireland.

By 2028, Lotus has ambitions to sell 150,000 vehicles annually, as part of its vision to become a global luxury performance brand. The UK and Ireland are both key European markets for the business and Conor will play an integral role in growing the brand and reaching new customers in these regions.

Prior to joining Lotus, Conor was at Volvo, where he was responsible for launching and growing the organisation’s direct-to-consumer sales offering, as well managing Volvo’s recent move to agency sales in the UK. Conor brings a wealth of automotive experience with a focus on leading and operating traditional wholesale business models, in addition to direct-to-consumer sales.

The company recently opened Lotus London, its first European global brand centre in Mayfair, London. This is part of Lotus’ global customer experience strategy, focused on building a direct relationship and creating unique, personalised experiences for consumers. The business plans on growing its retail distribution network to 105 stores in Europe by 2025. Conor will lead the rollout of further stores in the UK and Ireland.

Mike Johnstone, Chief Commercial Officer at Lotus Group, said: “As Lotus continues to scale globally, Conor brings strong experience in business development, which will help us scale the brand and grow our customer base in the UK and Ireland.”

Commenting on his new role, Conor said: “Lotus has a world-class team, industry-leading technologies and a strong heritage, which combined has enormous potential. I look forward to building our presence and unlocking new growth opportunities in the UK and Ireland, as the company delivers its vision to become a global luxury performance brand.”

Lotus announced its Vision80 strategy in 2018 with plans to transform the brand into an all-electric intelligent, luxury mobility provider by 2028 – when the business celebrates its 80th anniversary. Lotus began delivering on its promise with the debut of the Eletre last year. It has started production for the vehicle and expects to deliver to customers in the UK and Europe later this summer.

Lotus has today opened the doors to its first flagship European global brand centre in Mayfair, London.

Lotus London can be found at 73 Piccadilly, at the heart of luxury, art and culture in the capital city. It brings together Lotus’ long-standing commitment to technology, performance and heritage by providing customers with an exclusive and immersive entry into the Lotus brand.

The store offers a VIP lounge and bespoke digital experience – where customers can personalise their own vehicles – with experts on hand to support them. In addition, the store will act as a gallery for the brand, regularly displaying classic car designs from its 75-year rich history, from F1 to icons of the silver screen.

Lotus London will serve as a showcase and launch venue for the latest vehicles and products, including the next-generation vehicle line-up; the Eletre hyper-SUV, Emira sports car and Evija hypercar. Customers will also be able to purchase Lotus merchandise in-store, as well as other co-branded products. For example, Lotus and KEF recently announced the new LS60 Wireless floor speakers, and these are now available to purchase at Lotus London.

This is the brand’s first digitally driven flagship showroom in Europe, a 'Hyper Space' which embodies Lotus’ vision to become a global performance brand. In 2018 Lotus revealed Vision80 and its plans to transform the brand from a heritage automotive company to an all-electric, intelligent, luxury mobility provider by 2028 – when the business turns 80.

Brand centres form a key pillar in the business’s global customer experience strategy, focused on building a direct relationship and creating unique, personalised experiences for consumers. Lotus plans to launch further stores worldwide in key markets including Europe, Asia and the US.

Mike Johnstone, Chief Commercial Officer at Lotus Group, said: “The opening of our new store demonstrates our commitment to transform Lotus to a global luxury performance brand. We have seen a huge demand for our products and have ambitious plans to scale rapidly by 2028. Brand centres around the world will play a key role in building both the Lotus brand and long-lasting relationships with our consumers.”

Lotus began delivering its Vision80 promise with the world premiere of the Eletre last year. It has started production for the vehicle and expects to deliver to customers in the UK and Europe later this summer.

The second-generation Hope-Lotus track bike, unveiled today, has been meticulously designed and optimised to deliver improved track performance at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Lotus Engineering has collaborated with the Great Britain Cycling Team (GBCT), Hope Technology and Renishaw to evolve the Tokyo 2020 track bike which contributed to the track team winning seven Olympic medals and topping the event medal table.

Lotus and GBCT have developed the cockpit of the bike, evolving the unique front fork and handlebar design to allow for greater aerodynamic efficiency. This is coupled with the Hope HBT Paris frame which includes refinements to the headstock and seat stays. Renishaw has provided support in design and production of wind tunnel models and other crucial components on the final bike.

GBCT has been testing the bike rigorously on track and in a wind tunnel, working alongside the Lotus team to optimise the forks and handlebars ahead of its competitive track debut next month at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

Richard Hill, Chief Aerodynamicist at Lotus, was responsible for the design of the Lotus 108 Olympic track bike and 110 Tour De France bike in the nineties and has continued to play a pivotal role in both the Tokyo Olympic track bike and now, the 2024 Hope-Lotus Olympic track bike.

Lotus Engineering has played to its strengths of optimised aerodynamics, advanced materials, lightweighting and engineering innovation to help guide the bike’s cockpit development. It has applied learnings made over 75 years in vehicle dynamics to improve front-end feel and stiffness to enhance rider confidence. Additional evolution of the components creates the sensation that the bike is carving through air, a signature element of the aerodynamic design found in the new Lotus vehicle line-up.

The unique patented, wide element fork design, introduced at the Tokyo Olympic Games, continues to reduce drag and break the air flow in front of the rider. Taking inspiration from fighter jet design, the fork has a new serrated edge that allows for smoother airflow around the rider. Customisable handlebars help riders to achieve a more efficient aero position for longer races, whilst an enhanced integration with the fork further reduces drag.

To guarantee lightness, the composite fork is crafted from the same high-grade carbon fibre and single-cure manufacturing process as the Lotus Evija hypercar. A combination of carbon fibre and 3D-printed metals is used to optimise aerodynamics, ergonomics, structural integrity and lightweighting.

More than 150 hours of wind tunnel testing and advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation has helped to create significant aerodynamic gains. This testing was instrumental in optimising the airflow around the legs of the rider to reduce drag.

Mark Stringer, Commercial Director, Lotus Engineering said:

“Lotus is proud to have again played its part in helping British Cycling push the boundaries of sporting performance in the quest for Olympic medals. It’s the perfect demonstration of our ability to transfer the skills and knowledge we’ve gained through 75 years of automotive development to bring a new perspective to other industries. Through the deployment of our expertise, innovation, tools, techniques and processes developed to engineer high-performance Lotus cars, we’ve been able to deliver efficiencies to give British track riders the best possible opportunity for success.”

Lotus has a successful history in cycling through its Lotus Engineering division. Innovations include the early Lotus sports bikes used by cycling legend Chris Boardman in the nineties, the iconic Lotus type 108 in the noughties, through to the Hope-Lotus collaborations.

Stephen Park CBE, Performance Director for the Great Britain Cycling Team, said:

“Our relationship with Lotus Engineering, Hope Technology and Renishaw is going from strength to strength. Their combined high quality manufacturing standards, renowned lightweight design, aerodynamic efficiency and their keen eye for finer details help us to unlock valuable marginal gains, which make all the difference come race day. This is the most advanced bike that has ever been ridden by British athletes.”  

Lotus has held its first ever UK test drives for its hyper-SUV – the Lotus Eletre – at the Goodwood Motor Circuit yesterday.

Potential customers were able to experience the hyper-SUV’s exceptional performance and immersive digital cockpit, as part of a new electric vehicle experience staged in conjunction with the Festival of Speed.

Initial feedback on the Eletre was overwhelmingly positive, with drivers praising the car’s seamless and swift acceleration, precise handling and dynamic capabilities. Their comments mirror those of global motoring media, who published their first reviews of the luxury SUV earlier this week.

Mr. M, who has an Eletre R on order commented: “The luxury interior is astounding; the whole cabin is incredible. The driving experience is so light and responsive with brilliant visibility, it really clings to the road. Instant acceleration, super luxury, enjoyment personified. I can’t wait for my Eletre R to arrive.”

Ms. T said, “Driving the Eletre was top of my list today, I visited one of the Eletre presentations at the end of last year, but I have to say driving it has really made up my mind. Well done Lotus!”

Mr. A commented, “I am blown-away by the car! The sound system is mind-blowing and the drive experience was excellent!”

Mr. & Ms. said, “We absolutely loved the Eletre and we're delighted we've had the chance to drive it today. The car was more than we could have hoped for. It has that Lotus spirit and it’s exciting to drive.”

The Lotus Eletre is the first of a new breed of pure electric performance SUVs. It takes the core principles and Lotus DNA from 75 years of sports car design and engineering, evolving them into a desirable lifestyle vehicle.

It is aimed at a new generation of Lotus customers; those who value the world-class dynamic performance and striking design which have always been part of the Lotus experience, and who also need a practical, versatile and spacious family-focused vehicle – one that is packed with the latest digital technology to make their driving life safer and more convenient.

The Eletre is a true Lotus. It takes the heart and soul of the latest Lotus sports car, the Emira, and the revolutionary aerodynamics of the all-electric Evija hypercar and reinterprets them as a hyper-SUV. It delivers class-leading ride and handling, steering and aero performance – areas of automotive design and engineering where Lotus has both pioneered and dominated throughout its 75-year history in road and race cars. It is also the epitome of beautiful design, efficient and elegant engineering solutions, advanced materials, innovation and ingenuity.

First customer deliveries of the hyper-SUV are expected in the coming months.  Sign up now to experience the critically acclaimed Lotus Eletre via: https://www.lotuscars.com/en-GB/eletre/newsletter-sign-up

Captivating driving enthusiasts worldwide since its debut two years ago, the critically acclaimed and award-winning Lotus Emira V6 has secured its rightful place as the most accomplished Lotus sports car ever made. With striking design, astonishing performance and benchmark ride and handling, its supercharged 3.5-litre powerplant matched to a choice of six-speed manual and automatic transmissions delivers a driving experience that could only be from Lotus.

Now, the appeal of this mid-engined two-seater is further enhanced by the addition of a four-cylinder engine which features state-of-the-art technologies to deliver incredible performance and remarkable efficiency. Supplied by technical partner Mercedes-AMG, the all-aluminium, turbocharged 2.0-litre unit is based on the world’s most powerful four-cylinder in series production.

Badged for launch as the Emira First Edition, it has been further developed by Lotus with new intake and exhaust systems, plus a bespoke calibration matched to new transmission shift-mapping. Developing 360bhp and 430Nm, this makes it a perfect match to the Emira’s lightweight, strong, stiff, bonded and extruded aluminium chassis structure and aligns to the Lotus ethos of delivering higher performance by reducing mass.

It’s also fitting that, as the final mainstream combustion engine Lotus two-seater, the Emira is the most powerful four-cylinder from Lotus in a rich bloodline of iconic models including the Elise, Esprit, Europa, Elan and Elite. And, at 180bhp/litre, it also has the highest specific power output in the Emira range.

Like the renowned 400bhp supercharged V6, the four-cylinder car delivers all the performance and responsiveness that drivers expect – 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in just 4.4 seconds and a 180mph (290km/h) maximum speed – while bringing its own unique character to the Emira range. That character is enhanced by the inherent day-to-day usability and comfort of the smooth and rapid shifting dual-clutch transmission. It also offers the added advantages of lower fuel consumption and a target CO2 emissions figure of 208g/km (WLTP combined).

Mike Johnstone, Group Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer, Lotus, said: “The Emira V6 has already proved incredibly successful, with many thousands of orders received from around the world. Now, with the four-cylinder Emira joining the range, we’re adding a new dimension to the car’s breadth of capability and appeal, offering new levels of efficiency and accessibility while continuing to offer all the performance and agility that our customers expect.”

Gavan Kershaw, Director, Vehicle Attributes and Product Integrity, Lotus, said: “We’ve meticulously tuned the suspension settings for the 2.0-litre Emira to deliver the superb body control that’s a Lotus hallmark without the car ever feeling harsh. We’ve calibrated engine and transmission mapping, in tandem with the Drive Modes, to create a refined and relaxed character in Tour, and with incredible launch performance, superb driveability, even quicker throttle response and kickdown in Sport and Track. We’ve also taken the opportunity to refine how the powertrain is linked to the traction and stability control systems to deliver the high-performance feel and connection that Lotus drivers expect.”

Like the Emira V6, the new 2.0-litre car is built in the Chapman Production Centre (CPC) at Hethel, named in honour of the company’s legendary founder and inspiration. However, it starts life at Lotus Advanced Structures in nearby Norwich, where sub-assembly of the lightweight aluminium chassis structure takes place. Combined, these world-class centres of excellence for sports car manufacturing are part of a £100 million investment by Lotus in its UK facilities. Customers in the UK have the option of collecting their Emira from Hethel and, as part of the experience, tour the CPC assembly halls where their car was made.

Powertrain: powerful, responsive, efficient

Designed solely for high-performance applications, the 1,991cc engine features a cylinder block produced using the advanced chill-casting process: compared to conventional sand-casting methods used in high volume applications, this results in a uniform, fine-grained structure which delivers the high strength and durability needed to withstand the high loads generated. Following motorsport practise, the block is also of closed-deck design for maximum stiffness, and instead of conventional cast iron liners, the cylinder bores use a patented low-friction coating to save weight. For the optimal balance of high strength and low weight, both the steel crankshaft and aluminium pistons are forged.

The cylinder head features four valves per cylinder and a 200bar direct injection system. Intake and exhaust cams feature variable valve timing, while on the exhaust side, the valves can be varied between high and low duration. The piezo injectors deliver fuel into the combustion chamber with very high precision, both in terms of the amount of fuel and the spray pattern, resulting in enhanced combustion with reduced emissions. For maximum power, the piezo injectors are joined by the port fuel injectors, mounted directly on the intake side of the cylinder head to deliver the correct amount of petrol needed at full load.

The turbocharger is a ‘twin-scroll’ design, meaning the turbine housing is split into two separate ducts, matched to corresponding ducts in the exhaust manifold. This minimises exhaust gas pulsation interference, helping to improve the efficient exchange of gases in the cylinders. It also ensures that boost pressure builds up more rapidly, and to further enhance responsiveness, the shaft joining the compressor and turbine wheel runs in ultra-low-friction roller bearings. To manage boost pressure most effectively, the wastegate is electronically controlled.

This combination of advanced technologies, together with intake and exhaust systems developed by Lotus and optimised with a unique in-house calibration, ensure this remarkable engine can deliver an astonishing balance of power, torque and efficiency throughout its full operating range. Generating 430Nm from 3,000-5,500rpm and 360bhp at 6,600rpm before reaching a maximum speed of 7,200rpm, it ensures an authentic Lotus sports car driving experience while also being refined in day-to-day use.

Sending drive to the rear wheels is Mercedes-AMG’s acclaimed eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) – a first use of the technology by Lotus and fitted exclusively to the Emira. Compared to the six-speed manual and automatic transmissions offered on the Emira V6, the DCT offers even quicker gearchanges with no torque interruption during shifting, enhancing efficiency and shift comfort. Drivers also have the choice of smooth, effortless changes if they leave the car in Drive, or ultra-fast dynamic changes if they control the transmission themselves using the shift lever in the centre console or steering wheel paddles.

Launch control enables the driver to set the car up for optimum acceleration from a standing start by maximising the available traction from the rear wheels and torque from the powertrain. This feature enables consistent, optimal get-aways – time and time again – allowing the driver to fully exploit the Emira’s exhilarating performance.

Vehicle dynamics: agile, intuitive, rewarding

The Emira’s light, stiff, bonded aluminium Lotus Sports Car Architecture gave the vehicle dynamics engineers the perfect platform from which to develop the car’s ride, handling and steering characteristics, all of which set the class benchmark, as every Lotus sports car should. With a torsional stiffness of 26,300Nm/ degree, the chassis contributes to the immediate, precise responses of every system. The Emira features race-derived, lightweight, forged aluminium double-wishbone suspension all round, which delivers the greatest control of the tyre contact patch throughout the suspension’s full range of travel, contributing to the Emira’s exceptional agility and responsiveness.

The introduction of the four-cylinder engine to the Emira range created the opportunity for Lotus to introduce a new, lightweight cast aluminium rear subframe to optimise the packaging of the powerplant within the chassis structure. It’s in place of the steel assembly used on the Emira V6 and contributes to a total weight saving of 12kg. The subframe also houses the new rear suspension.

The electro-hydraulic steering system delivers the pure, truly connected feel fundamental to Lotus sports car DNA, together with speed-dependent efforts, but without the losses created by an engine-driven pump. The immediacy of response to every input the driver makes is amplified by the seating position being almost in the centre of the 2,575mm wheelbase, thanks to the Emira’s mid-engine configuration.

The Eibach springs and Bilstein high-pressure monotube dampers are meticulously tuned to suit the Emira, and offered with different settings depending on whether the customer chooses the Tour or Sport chassis settings. Tour is optimised for road use, offering softer springs and dampers, while Sport is track-focused with stiffer springs and dampers, together with increased camber and toe angles to maximise grip. The anti-roll bar stiffnesses are also bespoke to Emira, and the component on the front axle is now lighter too.

A choice of specially-developed tyres is available on the four-cylinder Emira, which are asymmetrically sized to suit the exacting requirements of steering and traction – 245/35/R20 on the front axle and 295/30/R20 at the rear. Fitted as standard as part of the Tour chassis (and also available as an option with the Sports chassis), the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tyres deliver high performance with enhanced all-weather capability without any compromise to feedback. Offered exclusively as part of the Sports chassis, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres are designed for extreme track use without compromising ride comfort. Both tyres have ‘LTS’ markings on the side wall to denote the Lotus-approved specification

The braking system provides stopping power commensurate with the new engine’s output, and features lightweight, two-piece, cross-drilled and slotted discs together with four-piston calipers on the front axle. The calipers can be finished in a choice of four colours at no extra cost.

Complementing the changes to the chassis hardware is a completely new calibration for the Electronic Stability Control system. There’s also an e-Diff function which can apply carefully modulated brake pressure to the rear wheels in order to maximise traction by the transfer of torque to the one with the most grip, which is particularly beneficial when accelerating out of slow corners. It also enhances dynamic performance and control in challenging conditions, such as roads covered in snow, rain or mud.

Exterior design: aerodynamically beautiful

The Emira’s design language is a development of the sculpted surfaces and technical detailing which debuted on the all-electric Evija hypercar, and brings unrivalled supercar desirability to the sports car segment. Strikingly beautiful, timeless and unmistakably Lotus, its perfect proportions and athletic, taught, shrink-wrapped form are the very embodiment of  Lotus sports car DNA.

The front is dominated by the full-LED headlights – each with a double ‘blade’ daytime running light signature – and purposeful, angular bonnet ducts. The latter guide airflow over the car, reducing drag, and reinforce the Emira’s performance potential while making a direct visual link to the Evija.

Sculpted doors feature deployable handles, also cutting drag, while the dramatic form pressed into the outer skin blends seamlessly into the intake ducts integrated into the muscular rear haunches. These feed air, via the water-cooled charge cooler, to the engine’s intake system, and also help to cool the engine itself.

The rear of the car features two distinctive gloss black vents, allowing air to flow out from the wheel arches. Beneath, also finished in gloss black, is the rear diffuser, into which the two exhaust pipes and rear number plate are neatly integrated.

As a result of meticulous development using cutting-edge computational fluid dynamics simulations, and further refinement in the wind tunnel, the Emira doesn’t need any active aerodynamic features, and creates passive downforce that’s perfectly balanced between the front and rear axles at all speeds. The result is enhanced grip and handling characteristics which remain constant, precise and predictable.

The Emira can be specified in a range of 13 colours, each one created to heighten the visual impact of the Emira’s dramatic, purposeful form: Hethel Yellow, Magma Red, Vivid Red, Dark Verdant, Seneca Blue, Atlantis Blue, Meridian Blue, Osmium Silver, Nimbus Grey, Shadow Grey, Zinc Grey, Mist White and Cosmos Black.

The optional Black Pack sees a contemporary gloss black finish applied to the roof, cantrails, mirror pods and the Lotus wordmark on the rear clamshell. The exhaust finishers are satin black. The 20-inch, ultra-lightweight forged wheels feature a diamond-cut finish as standard, with silver or gloss black available as options, completing the distinctive look.

Emira inside: driver-focused and pure

Luxurious, spacious and unmistakably driver-focused, the Emira’s interior is beautifully crafted and effortlessly combines rich materials and the latest technologies to deliver levels of comfort, usability and practicality which set new standards for Lotus sports cars.

Ahead of the flat-bottomed steering wheel is a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster, while in the centre of the cockpit is a 10.25-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, which features integrated navigation* All of the content was designed in-house, making it simple and intuitive to use, while enhancing the driving experience. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity is standard*.

The 10-channel, 560W premium audio system was developed for the Emira in partnership with KEF and features the renowned British brand’s signature Uni-QTM technology, which combines tweeter and mid-range into a single, acoustically-optimised unit. Beautifully finished with a distinctive bespoke speaker fret design, Uni-Q covers the entire mid and high-frequency sound spectrum from a single point in space, delivering a more coherent, hyper-realistic sound experience.

The 12-way power-adjust heated seats offer both incredible support for spirited driving as well as superb comfort on long drives, and are offered in Nappa leather in either black, red, ice grey or tan, or in black Alcantara with a choice of contrast stitching in either yellow, red or ice grey. These same materials are also offered on the steering wheel, as an option, with the top dead centre band and stitching available in yellow, red or ice grey. Black Alcantara is also used for the headliner, further enriching the cabin. Behind the two seats is 208-litres of storage, with the rear luggage compartment offering a further 151 litres.

*Market-specific features

Lotus Emira i4 First Edition UK and European Pricing (from)*

Market	Currency	Pricing from
UK	GBP	81,495
Germany	EUR	95,995
France	EUR	96,815
Italy	EUR	98,435
Belgium	EUR	97,625
Austria	EUR	115,802
Netherlands	EUR	127,030
Luxembourg	EUR	93,368
Switzerland	CHF	103,420
Sweden	SEK	1,145,450
Denmark	DKK	1,771,825

Lotus Emira: Technical Specification

Powertrain and performance:

Engine configuration	1,991cc turbocharged four-cylinder in-line petrol; four valves per  cylinder; variable valve timing; single twin-scroll turbocharger;  200bar piezo direct fuel injection + port fuel injection
Transmission	Eight-speed dual-clutch
Max power ( bhp/ kW)	360/269
Max torque (Nm)	430
Top speed (mph / km/h)	180/290
0-62 mph / 0-100 km/h (secs)	4.4
0-60 mph (secs)	4.3
Fuel consumption (WLTP Combined) (mpg/ L/100km)*	TBC*
CO2 emissions (WLTP Combined) (g/km)*	208*

* Subject to homologation

Chassis:

Front suspension	Double wishbone
Rear suspension	Double wishbone
Springs	Coil
Dampers	High pressure monotube
Steering	Electrohydraulic; rack and pinion
Front brake disc diameter (mm)	370 x 32
Rear brake disc diameter (mm)	350 x 32
Calipers	AP Racing 4-piston with braided hoses
Front tyres	245/35/R20
Rear tyres	295/30/R20

Dimensions:

Length (mm)	4,413
Width including door mirrors (mm)	2,092
Width with mirrors folded (mm)	1,895
Track front / rear (mm)	1,626/1,608
Height (mm)	1,226
Wheelbase (mm)	2,575
Drag Coefficient	0.349
Weight (DIN) (kg)	1,446
Rear luggage compartment capacity (litres)	151
Cabin luggage capacity (litres)	208
Fuel tank capacity (litres)	52.5