Lotus delays their electric Emira successor due to EV transition issues

Much like with their smaller electric SUV, Lotus has decided that electrification was not the way to go for their next sports car

MichelleObama

Dec 6, 2024 - 12:09

5165

Lotus delays their electric Emira successor due to EV transition issues

If you were awaiting an electric Lotus sports car with bated breath, I suggest you exhale. The British sports car maker announced recently that their upcoming "Type 135" which was meant to replace the Emira will be delayed due to the complicated transition to EVs.

Lotus's European CEO Dan Balmer was asked by Autocar in an interview whether the current Emira could see a hybrid version rather than the previously planned fully electric one. His reply?

“In today's world? 'Never say never' is the current rule because we have to be open-minded and understand what the marketplace wants and also what technology is available to us at the time. So the potential for hybrid powertrains is there.”

Lotus was already planning on introducing plug-in hybrid powertrains

Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng already confirmed at the Guangzhou auto show in China that the company plans to introduce plug-in hybrids with a range-extender system dubbed the "Super Hybrid." The system will combine a turbocharged gas engine, like the ones already in use in the Emira, with batteries that support fast charging. Lotus is currently aiming for a driving range of around 680 miles.

The Lotus Emira's engines have already been electrified by their makers

Both of the Emira's available powertrains have been electrified by their respective manufacturers. The 2.0 L AMG M139 turbocharged I4 is offered as both a mild hybrid and a plug-in hybrid in Mercedes cars. The 3.5 L Toyota 2GR-FE supercharged V6 has a hybrid version as well.

If Lotus wanted to make a hybrid Emira, all they'd have to do is ask their engine providers for the hybrid version instead. Sure that would make the car a little more bloated, but at least Lotus's combustion-engine sports car would still be around for the time being.

Speaking of delayed Lotus models, the company also intended to release a smaller electric SUV to be positioned below the Eletre. Known as the Type 134, it was meant to compete with the Porsche Macan but it seems that Porsche is safe from it for now.

Final thoughts

It is starting to seem more and more like hybrids are the answer in our pursuit of cleaner combustion. EVs are facing slow adoption lately and many manufacturers are backtracking on their fleet-wide transition altogether.

It's also important to remember that Lotus's majority shareholder is the Chinese automaker Geely so they have no shortage of EV and hybrid parts should they wish to make that transition. Much like Volvo and Polestar, they are in the best position to electrify their models, with the only barrier to entry being the lack of adoption.