Lotus is embracing an all-electric future with the latest edition to its line-up bringing its EV range to four – which also happens to be the number of occupants that can enjoy the thrill of Lotus performance.
British sportscar manufacturer Lotus has revealed full details of its electric hyper-GT, the Emeya, which has just been made available in China and will ship to customers in Europe from Q3 this year. With five doors and room for three passengers (there are two bucket seats in the rear) this could work as a family car, although to describe it as such does it something of a disservice, as much of its design is inspired by the marque’s sportscar heritage, with performance to match.
Some of the features the OEM is particularly excited about include its all-wheel drive powertrain, which has advanced active roll control and rear-wheel steering. This is paired with what’s described as “driver-focused” suspension. This suspension is an electronically controlled air system with sensors that respond to changes in road conditions and automatically adjust the vehicle set-up, to enhance the smoothness of the ride and improve the driving experience.
As you’d expect from a Lotus, the overall design is nothing if not aerodynamic. But augmenting the obvious streamlining are some not-so-obvious smart additions such as the active air dam under the front bumper and active rear spoiler. Both serve to increase downforce and stability in the car when deployed and reduce drag when not deployed. That downforce can reach the equivalent of 150kg extra weight at 250 km/h (231 lb at 155mph) while still maintaining a low drag coefficient of 0.21 Cd. The active air dam and spoiler are deployed when the driver selects Sport mode, which means handling can be tailored to the road. For example, a twisting mountain pass can be navigated more easily with extra downforce to increase road holding an agility.
As well as Sport there are three other pre-set driving modes, which are Range, Tour and Track. These different settings control key factors such as the ride height, air suspension stiffness, acceleration response and seat configuration. In Individual mode each parameter can be selected and saved manually for a custom set up.
Customers can even begin tailoring their set up before they even get their car as Lotus has also launched a new online portal which enables personalisation of each individual vehicle ahead of placing an order.
Powertrain
Power of up to 905 bhp (675kW) enables the Emeya to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in under 2.8 seconds, making it one of the quickest electric cars in the world. But far from being a car focused only on short-range performance, Lotus is also tackling the familiar problem of range anxiety head on by packing in extra power storage with a cell-to-pack (CTP) that fits in 20% more cells than a cell-module-pack system – boosting range by an equivalent 20%, to a maximum of 610km (329 miles). What’s more using a 350kW DC fast-charger, Emeya can be charged from 10-80% within 18 minutes.
The design of the batteries themselves also contribute to improving range and performance. Lotus has developed a new high-performance twin-layer battery design, which has cooling attributes that support not only greater driving range between charges, but also greater repeatability and sustainability of performance, even under extreme driving conditions.
Going faster and further is all very well, but no good if you can’t stop, and of course the Emeya can also do that. Its lightweight carbon ceramic brakes reduce weight and braking distance – which contribute to dynamic handling – as well as doubling the lifespan of the components.
“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,” says Feng Qingfeng, CEO of Lotus Group. “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.”
The Emeya comes in six colours including two new finishes that are now available as exterior options across the entire Lotus EV range – Boreal Grey and Fireglow Orange. The additional colours include Solar Yellow, Akoya White, Stellar Black and Kaimu Grey. Lotus hopes the Emeya will be popular in Europe, especially as it is is competitively priced for the luxury GT segment, starting at €106,400 for the entry level model and stepping up to €126,950 for the Emeya S and €150,990 for the Emeya R
Comfort within
To sit in the Emeya is to be encased in a world of comfort. Not only is there plenty of leg room for both front and rear occupants, but each seat is fitted with automatic massage functions. A panoramic glass roof is intelligent so it can be switched between opaque and clear – and this can be done across the entire roof or just in individual sections, tailoring comfort to each passenger’s needs.
For the driver there’s an augmented-reality heads-up displaying important information within the direct, forward-facing field of vision. Meanwhile, ambient lighting functions help to indicate events such as an incoming call or charging. An 15.1-inch HD OLED Lotus Hyper OS infotainment features an interactive display of Emeya to access its numerous functions, which can be activated by touching the screen. There is also intelligent EV routing, which can learn individual driving patterns for a fully personalized experience. Lotus promises that over-the-air software updates will keep every vehicle fully up-to-date with the latest fetures. With all this luxury you might never want to get out of the Emeya, but even that is made a little easier with power-assisted doors, which also have sensors to detect obstacles, ensuring a door will not open if the vehicle is at risk of damage. Once outside, a kick sensor on the rear means the trunk can be opened with a wave of your foot, which is designed particularly for use when your hands are full. Once open the tailgate gives access to up to 509 litres of space, making this a high-performance car that’s also extremely practical.
