The Lotus Emira range will get two new models next year to enhance the model’s position as a key sports-car player. Both the Lotus Emira Turbo and Turbo SE are based on the existing four-cylinder car.
The base Emira will henceforth be known as Emira Turbo, with the same 268kW and 430Nm of torque as before. That sprints to 100 in 4.3sec and tops out at 274km/h. New core performance features include upgraded brakes and 20-inch 10-spoke lightweight alloys in gloss silver. There’s also new ‘Emira Turbo’ branding, sports pedals, and a fresh ‘technical fabric’ headliner.
Vivid Red paint, black brake calipers, and black 12-way powered leather seats are other new items. This model has softer ‘Touring’ suspension settings, while Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport tyres have been developed exclusively for the Emira.
Above this is the Turbo SE, poking out 300kW and 480Nm. It evidently gets to 100 in four seconds flat, with a vmax of 291km/h. This version has a ‘Sports’ suspension set-up, cross-drilled and ventilated brakes, and launch control. It also features select visual upgrades including red brake calipers and 20-inch forged alloy wheels in satin grey, as well as Zinc Grey paint. There are new Emira Turbo SE badges and exhaust pipes, plus an Alcantara headliner inside.
New Lotus Europe CEO Dan Balmer said: “In 2025, the Emira range will extend to meet wider customer needs while retaining the brand’s DNA and driving dynamics Lotus is renowned for”.
The firm says a wide range of options is on offer, though both four-cylinder cars will come with the eight-speed DCT automatic gearbox only. The V6 version has the option of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
Further Emira variants are coming. Balmer said “That’s what the crowd is shouting for.”
The SE will likely cost around what the V6 asks. First customer cars should arrive in the second quarter of 2025.
In other Lotus news, the sports car maker won’t launch any new model lines for the next two years. Instead, it will focus on offering range-extender hybrid models as demand for luxury EVs wanes.
The Macan-sized electric crossover, Type 134, is on hold as the company focuses on achieving “stability”. Lotus will instead focus on its new ‘Hyper Hybrid’ REx powertrains, with models on sale within two years. It is also delaying its Emira EV, probably until more energy-dense battery tech is available.
So the company will continue on with Eletre and Emeya, the Emira petrol sports car and the Evija electric hypercar. The latter is now reaching customers after lengthy delays.
Both the Eletre and Emeya will have an REx option to compete with the likes of the Porsche Panamera e-Hybrid and Lamborghini Urus SE.
Balmer added that the new REx system is “not like today’s hybrids” and will boast “some outstanding attributes”. For example, it will have the ability to ‘flash-charge’ the battery in just five minutes and to offer a combined range of around 1100km. It is “the best of both worlds”.
Another advantage is that the new powertrain will circumvent the EU’s import tariffs on Chinese-built EVs as these don’t apply to hybrids.
Lotus has downgraded its sales aspirations to 12,000 cars this year, and 30,000 in 2026.
