Lotus unveils sporty electric sedan Emeya

Lotus has lifted the curtain on its next all-electric model, the Emeya. In analogy to the Eletre, referred to as a “hyper SUV,” Lotus calls the new Emeya a “hyper GT.” It is a four-door coupe-like sedan. (UPDATE BELOW)

The top-of-the-line, all-wheel-drive version of the Emeya offers up to 675 kW of power and up to 985 Nm of torque. Lotus quotes the Emeya’s top speed at more than 250 kph. The sprint from zero to 100 kph takes less than 2.8 seconds. The battery offers a capacity of 102 kWh. Thanks to 800-volt technology, the range, which is not yet specified, the Lotus “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 per cent within 18 minutes.”

Since the top model has a “dual motor set-up,” it stands to reason that there will also be a base version with only one electric motor. Lotus is not yet giving data on this. But since the rear-wheel-drive Eletre already has an output of 441 kW, the base Emeya should not be underpowered either.

In addition to the standard technical data, the brand, which belongs to Geely, emphasizes that the Emeya is “designed for the drivers” as an electric grand tourer. The model is supposed to be “exciting to drive and performs exceptionally.” Even the Eletre already relies on this concept, as the impressions from our first drive also show.

Still, there are several differences between the Eletre and Emeya, not just the body. Both are based on an 800-volt platform, but the “Hyper-GT” has a slightly smaller battery – the Eletre has 112 kWh. The design also has similarities (for example, at the rear). Still, the Emeya also brings its own interpretation of the new Lotus front: two LED daytime running lights arranged one above the other on each side give the GT an independent look. The front is also kept quite angular, while the rest of the car also features some curved lines.

The independent design of the daytime running lights is not surprising, however: When Lotus announced four pure electric models by 2026 on its way to becoming an all-electric brand, a vehicle was already shown in shadowy form wearing precisely this light signature. The premiere of a four-door coupe with the project name “Type 133” was announced for 2023.

“This is a Lotus like you have never seen before,” says Ben Payne, Vice-President of Design at Lotus Group. “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.”

Lotus plans to release more information about the Emeya in the fourth quarter of this year. Production of the vehicle is expected to begin in 2024. The Emeya can already be reserved in some countries, requiring a deposit of 1,000 euros. It will secure interested customers the opportunity to test the vehicle in the coming year and order it ahead of others. However, the final price is not available yet.

Update 19 January 2024

Lotus has started selling its second electric model in China. The sporty Emeya electric saloon presented in September 2023, which is also due to come to Europe in the second half of 2024, will be offered in China in four variants at prices between 668,000 and 1,180,000 yuan (approx. 86,000 to 152,000 euros). Lotus has also launched a new, more affordable version of its all-electric Eletre SUV model in China with a starting price of 728,000 yuan (around 94,000 euros).

lotuscars.com (announcement), lotuscars.com (reservation in the US), carnewschina.com, cnevpost.com, lotuscars.com.cn (last three update)