CAR DESIGN magazine (Article in Spanish)

New article from a Spanish publication, including the video of the Dealer demo in Spain.

Análisis y diseño del Lotus Emira

En 2021 la marca británica Lotus presentó su nuevo vehículo deportivo que significa una nueva era en el diseño y la última propuesta de combustión interna en la compañía.

www.zonamovilidad.es

 

[EspritGuy]

New article from a Spanish publication, including the video of the Dealer demo in Spain.

Análisis y diseño del Lotus Emira

En 2021 la marca británica Lotus presentó su nuevo vehículo deportivo que significa una nueva era en el diseño y la última propuesta de combustión interna en la compañía.

www.zonamovilidad.es

Would you mind sharing conclusions of the report?
Thanks.

 

[Bilbao-Emira]

Would you mind sharing conclusions of the report?
Thanks.

Nothing that we don't know at this stage, here goes the translation:




In 2021, the British brand Lotus presented its new sports vehicle that means a new era in design and the latest internal combustion proposal in the company.

THE LAST OF ITS KIND

The Lotus Emira is the latest internal combustion sports model of the British brand

With the completion of the production of the Elise, Exige and Evora models in 2021 and with a view to the inclusion of a new sports model to add to the new generation of the Lotus range, after 12 years of monotony and few new changes in the company, Matt Windle wanted to make the leap to a vehicle with a new aesthetic language and a more refined mechanics.


The new range of vehicles of the Anglo-Saxon firm is divided into three variants, the first electric hypercar Evija, the latest internal combustion sports model Emira and the first electric SUV Eletre, integrating a new language of design and renewed identity to the manufacturer's new production line. As the brand's philosophy indicates, it continues with the tradition of naming models starting with the letter "E", a nomenclature deeply rooted from the origins that brings historical value to each model.

The Emira model aims to succeed the old Elise, Exige and Evora range, becoming the last internal combustion sports model of the English firm, the following vehicles being models of an electrified range.

A RENEWED DESIGN

Starting in November 2018, Daniel Durrant and Jon Statham, members of the design team led by Russell Carr, began to make the first sketches of the model inspired by military aviation, animals and mainly the Evija hypercar presented in 2019, taking some of its characteristic elements and transferring them to this less limited and powerful model. They moved the recognizable hallmark of the brand's hypersport to give greater continuity to the range, with smoother and less aggressive lines, creating a very similar aesthetic following the company's design language.

A scale model was made in clay before moving to life-size modeling, perfecting and improving the overall technique and aerodynamics of the vehicle. They took the opportunity to adjust the aesthetics of a supercar to the new performance model to the maximum, extolling an image that evokes sportiness and functionality above all. However, this new model is considerably larger than any other previous model, establishing a new canon of proportions similar to that of a used supercar.

With some inspiration in the Esprit S1 model, they combined tradition with current affairs to be able to carry out the creation of this modern sports car. Specifically, the interior with influences of the past model, recalls the golden age of the team in Formula 1 and its progress in the automotive industry, thanks to a careful interior with higher quality materials and exclusive details of British craftsmanship.

The interior cabin offers technology and practicality without neglecting the sportiness that characterizes it, presenting a sports-style steering wheel in the shape of a "D" right at its bottom for greater ergonomics and maneuverability. The new sports seats have an ergonomic and sporty silhouette made with high quality materials and details such as leather and embroidered skins. The new distinctive design of the latter sports car marks a modern era or phase in the recent generation of the English firm, accompanying other proposals such as the Evija or Eletre, completing the range of vehicles for all types of customers, tastes and needs.

AN IMPROVEMENT IN AERODYNAMICS

Through a thorough study of the air flow, the aerodynamic package was improved as progress was made in the development phase by incorporating technical solutions similar to the Evija model. The front is divided into three sections, diverting the aerodynamic flow on the sides and the central area of the vehicle.

The hood has two ribs or crevices, one on each side in the shape of a boomerang that favors the passage of air through the lower ducts in the vehicle's bumper, also accompanying the shape of the front light signature full of novel technology composed of its outstanding elongated LED headlights based on the Evija. The sides are characterized by the irregular shape of the doors, which have a duct that directs the air flow to the rear by cooling the engine.


This shape makes the handle at the edge of the body, replacing the traditional door handle with a housing for the insertion of the hand when it is opened.

In the lower area of both sides there is also a small opening which serves to channel the air that initially bifurcates thanks to the front bumper. It is worth mentioning the specific 20-inch wheels with a flower pattern offering five different designs made of forged aluminum to give greater lightness to the whole.

The rear rear where aerodynamics predominates is made up of two ducts on both sides in the central part bordered by a voluminous diffuser finished in a glossy black finish divided into two floors by aerodynamic sections or grooves that lead to two exhaust tails perforated in titanium.


At the top is a fixed spoiler that is part of the body design with fluid and athletic lines, improving the efficiency and stability of the vehicle. This element helps generate support and downforce at high speeds, eliminating the active aerodynamic system seen in the Evija model. As a connection with the central area of the vehicle, the fall of the roof leaves visible the glazed cover of the engine housing that is accompanied on both sides by three gill-shaped ventilation outlets helping to dissipate heat.

Just between the completion of the spoiler and the engine bay there is a small trunk in a central vertical arrangement adjusted to the available space of the vehicle. The optical group at the rear is composed of two C-shaped sections and the central section attached to the trunk door, leaving the English signature logo visible at a short distance away.

AN EXTINCT MECHANIC

This Emira model is divided into two engines: four-cylinder and V6. The four-cylinder block comes from the association with the German brand Mercedes-AMG while the six-cylinder V-engine as usual the brand is of Toyota origin. The V6 that develops 405 horsepower is the most performance in the Emira range, offering greater performance and better response while driving.

First they gave way to their launch edition called "First Edition", which includes the two thrusters of both versions, without neglecting the elements of the special equipment such as forged alloy wheels, a wide range of customizable colors and satin moldings.


On the other hand, there is the less performance version of 360 horsepower that contains the well-known "M139" engine from Affalterbach, which despite its small size and weight, provides a more than satisfactory performance, fitting like a finger ring in the complex cabin where the engine is housed.

SPORTIVITY AND FUNCTIONALITY

Built on the basis of a lightweight reinforced aluminum chassis, Lotus' pioneering technology, this platform has remained a fundamental pillar in the company's DNA since the beginning of Colin Chapman in his idea of minimizing the weight of the set to the maximum. That is why the development of production was carried out at the "Chapman Production Centre" facilities, in honor of its historical vision. Thanks to the excellent optimization and efficiency work of the Lotus Engineering department, they managed not to exceed the maximum total weight of 1,458 kg.


The final production model was officially presented on July 6, 2021 at the Hethel factory, Norfolk, making its debut for the first time in front of the public at the Goodwood Festival of Speed event a few days later, introducing the new design language and visual aesthetics with a less aggressive line than the electric hypercar. This model has brought great progress in aspects such as quality, technology and functionality, among others, updating the new proposal of the Geely group's sports brand.


In addition to the street model, Lotus wanted to launch the version prepared for the competition approved by the FIA so that they can compete in the Group 4 international championship. The Emira GT4 has been improved specifically by looking for performance on the track, taking various elements of the road model, many other modified and improved parts for its optimal performance on the circuit.


THE FIRST UNIT IN SPAIN

The first unit registered in Spain is at the Lotus Carwagen dealership in Bilbao, an approach that reaches the Iberian Peninsula with the 303 factory unit that represents a new opportunity for Lotus to re-market its vehicles in the Spanish territory.


This copy consists of a First Edition launch version configured with the Magma Red color and chosen including the most powerful engine of the new sports range of the British firm. Inside, the manual change of 6 ratios is maintained along with the sports seats topped with the stitching in quality finish, reaching the figure of the sale price of 112,500 euros.

In the video below made by one of our collaborators, the videographer and professional photographer Jan Puertas (Kyan Media), you can see the first Emira model registered in Spain thanks to the Bilbao Lotus Carwagen dealership.