The Lotus Emira might change into the primary mannequin from the Geely-owned efficiency automobile model to supply V8 energy for the reason that Esprit V8 was axed in 2004.
Autocar reviews Lotus is investigating the set up of a Mercedes-AMG-sourced petrol V8 to interchange the V6 within the Emira, the automaker’s final inner combustion-engined (ICE) mannequin, as a result of it received’t meet upcoming Euro 7 emissions laws.
“We’re at present investigating the feasibility of the V8,” Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng informed buyers in the course of the firm’s latest earnings name.
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Launched in 2022, the Emira was meant to be Lotus’ last ICE mannequin, and is at present offered alongside two electrical autos (EVs): the battery-powered Emeya giant sedan and Eletre giant SUV.
It’s accessible with an AMG-sourced turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 268kW of energy and a Toyota-sourced supercharged 3.5-litre petrol V6 producing 298kW.
Lotus beforehand stated it was dedicated to releasing a higher-output model of the Emira, after initially planning to part out the V6.
The V6 has proved in style within the US, the world’s greatest sports activities automobile market.
However Mr Feng’s affirmation that Lotus is now contemplating a V8 for the Emira, which got here in response to a query from a supplier about an excellent lighter and extra highly effective model of the mid-engined coupe to rival the Porsche 911 GT3, got here after he dominated out boosting the ability of the V6 as a result of it received’t adjust to Euro 7 laws.
Talking with Autocar, Lotus Automobiles Europe CEO Matt Windle didn’t verify the Emira would obtain V8 energy, however did say the corporate was investigating extra highly effective choices from its present engine provider (Mercedes-AMG).
“The US is an extremely vital marketplace for us for the automobile [Emira). It always has been. So we’re looking at the market demand for the product going forward,” he said.
“It’s a very, very competent product that we probably haven’t exploited to its full already, so we are looking at all the options.
“There are some opportunities with the current supplier of engines, so we’re looking at it.”
It’s unclear how extensive – and therefore expensive – the engineering and development programs would be for the Emira to receive AMG’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, which also powers the Aston Martin Vantage sports car and DBX SUV.
Last year the Emira posted a sales record of 5272 units, accounting for 20 per cent of the brand’s total volume.
But Emira exports to the US ceased after the country’s 25 per cent import tariff took effect in April, and US sales of the Eletre and Emeya were halted after North America imposed a 125 per cent tariff on Chinese-made products.
US exports of the British-built Emira are yet to recommence following the recently agreed deal between the UK and US to lower tariffs on UK-built goods to 10 per cent.
Mr Windle told Autocar that Lotus’ original plan to eventually replace the Emira with an electric sports car has yet to be signed off as the company continues to assess the EV market.
“Is the market ready for an electric sports car? I don’t really know the answer to that yet,” he said.
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