Lotus. The name alone usually brings to mind featherweight track toys, balancing power and precision like a tightrope walker. But as the world goes electric, even legends have to adapt. Enter the Emeya S, a fully electric hyper-GT that’s about as far from an Elise as you can get. This isn’t your grandad’s Lotus; it’s a high-tech, luxurious EV locked in a staring contest with Porsche and Audi. So, has Lotus sold its soul for some lithium-ion cells or does the Emeya S still carry that unmistakable Lotus DNA?
Let’s get the obvious out of the way; the Emeya S is big. Over 5.1 metres long and nearly 2.1 metres wide, it definitely makes a statement on the road. Yet, credit to Lotus’s UK-based design team, specifically head designer Ben Payne, because it doesn’t look like a beached whale. It appears low-slung despite being a modest 1.4 metres tall and it wears its bulk surprisingly well.
The front end? Sculpted and aggressive, almost supercar-like, with twin headlights flanking a purposeful grille and active aero flaps that shuffle about to optimise cooling. Move around to the rear and you’ll see a sleek, coupé-like roofline leading to a ducktail spoiler. It’s certainly a head-turner, particularly in that Fireglow Orange paint. Depending on the light, you get everything from a deep red to a glint of gold fleck. In short, onlookers gawk, then try to spot the Lotus badge to confirm what they’re seeing.
Slide into the cabin and you’ll quickly realise this is no stripped-back track car. Premium surfaces abound, from the soft leather to the plush carpeting and tasteful metallic accents. Even the bits you rarely touch feel high quality—no scratchy plastics here.
Tech is front and centre in the Emeya S. Ahead of the driver is a narrow digital screen, with a large head-up display beaming essential info onto the windshield. Then there’s the real show-stopper; a massive central touchscreen powered by the Unreal Engine. It’s quick, smooth and does a sterling job of giving you easy access to everything from the nav system to the in-car apps. This is one of the most complete China-derived infotainment platforms we’ve tried. Of course, you get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though we found the connection a little hit-and-miss. The high-end KEF audio system makes sure your playlists sound top-notch, if a bit lacking in overall volume.
The Emeya S also packs in details you might not expect from a Lotus, like optional massage seats and (again, an option) an adjustable-opacity glass roof. Even back-seat passengers aren’t left out, getting their own touchscreen for control climate and media manipulation. The real shocker, though, is the space. For a low, swoopy GT, there’s enough legroom and headroom in the back to keep tall adults content on longer drives. Who’d have thought a Lotus could be this generous?
All that luxury doesn’t mean the Emeya S is a slouch. It packs 447kW (in “S” form), so despite weighing around 2.5 tonnes, it’ll still sling you from 0–100 km/h in about 4.2 seconds. You need to move up to the R model for proper Model S-matching
performance and a 0–100 km/h time of 2.8 seconds. Drive modes span from Range and Tour to Sport, adjusting throttle, steering weight, and suspension to suit your mood.
But here’s where it surprises you. Fling it into a corner and it doesn’t respond like a two-and-a-half-tonne cruiser. Thanks to a sophisticated chassis and clever suspension, the Emeya S changes direction with an agility that defies its size. The steering is the absolute highlight; class-leading and sublime, accurately weighted, and brimming with feedback. Some reviewers even claim it edges out the Porsche Taycan for steering feel, which is high praise indeed.
The ride is impressive too. Thanks to air suspension, even in Sport mode, bumps and rough patches don’t jolt your spine. The brakes are equally confidence-inspiring, pulling up this hefty GT without drama, and that’s without the R’s carbon-ceramic units. Ultimately, it still behaves more like a Lotus than you’d expect from something that could double as a lounge on wheels.
What we did feel slightly let down by was the driver assistance on offer in our test car. The S, as standard, gets a fairly typical lane-keeping system. What’s missing is the deployable LIDAR system which is a $14,000 option. It must be one of the best self-driving systems on the road in New Zealand, able to handle motorway and A-road driving with little input from the driver (unless you want to, of course).
A lot of the key items you really want for the Emeya—like the LIDAR system, the top-spec KEF system, and the Dynamic Handling Pack with four-wheel steering and dynamic aero—make up a lengthy options list. Add the key handling pack and LIDAR system together for $45,000, and you may as well drive home in an R, which already has them. It makes economic sense, really.
So, is the Emeya S still a Lotus at heart? In a word, yes. Sure, it’s a far cry from the tiny, minimalist cars that built the brand’s reputation, but that’s kind of the point. As the world hurtles towards electrification, Lotus can’t just stick to the old ways. They’ve created a plush, fast, technologically advanced EV that can still make you grin from ear to ear on a twisty road. No, it’s not perfect. It’s pricey, especially if you start ticking option boxes. If you’re chasing ultimate thrills, the higher-spec R model might be the ticket. But as a grand tourer that melds luxury with genuine Lotus handling smarts, the Emeya S is excellent. This is Lotus planting a firm stake in the EV ground.
Lotus Emeya S
$245,000 / 19.8kWh/100km / 0g/km
0-100 km/h 4.2s
Motor output 450kW / 710Nm
Battery 103kWh
Range 500km
Drivetrain Single-speed auto / AWD
Front suspension Wishbones / air springs
Rear suspension Multilink / air springs
Turning circle 11.6m (2.3 turns)
Front brakes Ventilated discs
Rear brakes Ventilated discs
Stability systems ABS, ESP
Safety AEB, ACC, BSM, LDW, RCTA, ALK, AHB
Tyre size f-265/40R21 r-305/35R21
Wheelbase 3069mm
L/W/H 5139 / 2005 / 1464mm
Front luggage capacity 34L
Rear luggage capacity 509-1388L
Tow rating 750kg (1000kg Braked)
Service intervals 2yrs / 30,000km
Warranty 3yrs / 100,000 km
ANCAP rating Not yet rated
Weight (claimed) 2550kg
