Lotus Emira Future Versions Thread

[Foxy87]

Because all the rumors (not only dealer talk) point in this direction. We will see.

 

[Eagle7]

Just because Lotus may have had additional models in the original plan doesn't mean anything, because the original plan never anticipated a 3 year backlog of orders for just the FE. Nor did they anticipate Covid and the supply chain crisis that drug out the time it took to get cars into production and delivered.

If they hold to the plan of discontinuing the Emira in 2028, which is 3 1/2 years away, then they may not do anything more than offer the base model. They don't even have any idea what the order book for the base model is going to be, since they haven't taken orders for it yet. Since the base model is cheaper than the FE, probably by about $14k, I would expect it to easily fill up their entire production capacity for the next 3 1/2 years, which takes it to the end of the Emira's planned run.

All of this presumes that they're actually going to end the Emira in 2028, which may not happen due to how badly the demand for EV's has fallen off. All the big players are saying they're now re-opening their ICE production plants. Even Stellantis has said they're now open to new ICE models. Hopefully Geely gets the message and decides to continue the Emira, and maybe even look into hybrid versions.

 

[Beardedbradley]

I believe that no one really knows what Lotus are planning on future models, in a conversation with CS on Friday I kinda got the impression they would like me to cancel my delayed FE order or buy a pre-configured cancelled order. I locked in before last years price increase but now they won’t guarantee that price or that I will receive the car at all, they just say any changes and I’ll be notified by email.

 

[Lotustoronto]

The longer they make ICE Emira's the better IMO. The V6 is already removed from EU configurator's (most likely due to ADAS requirements / cybersecurity), however I can see them continuing in North America / UK or anywhere a 4.0 718 can be sold.

I think there is a bit of hint on what is going to happen with Emira via the Eletre configurator. Let me break it down;

EU/UK, ROW - Eletre (base), Eletre S and Eletre R -------- Emira V6, Emira i4 , Emira S i4 400 BHP to be announced (no more V6 in EU and possibly UK) Emira R i4 to be announced

North America - Eletre and Eletre R (no S) ------ Emira V6 400 bhp & Emira i4 (no S variant as that is the V6) Emira R to be announced.

China - Eletre, Eletre S and Eletre R ------ Small amount of Emira V6's entered china, Emira i4 400 BHP (S), Emira R to be announced

This is complete speculation and just my opinion. To me the V6 may continue in North America for another year to two as a base model. But I think in the UK it will die along with EU and be replaced by the i4. Emira base will be 360 and S 400 BHP (like china)

Europe never recieved a final edition V6 Emira... So it is very possible they won't offer a final edition manual anywhere.

 

[seriously]

If EV stalls (likely) and the EV cayman tanks (doubtful) and the 911 hybrid impresses (likely) and AMG develops a hybrid i4 (maybe???), there would be room for a hybrid emira. I wouldn’t want it but it could be a seriously fast straight line car.

 

[PsymonR]

If EV stalls (likely) and the EV cayman tanks (doubtful) and the 911 hybrid impresses (likely) and AMG develops a hybrid i4 (maybe???), there would be room for a hybrid emira. I wouldn’t want it but it could be a seriously fast straight line car.

The current AMG C63 already has the i4 engine coupled to a hybrid powertrain, which they were also going to use in the CLE63, however they've changed tack to a V8 (mild hybrid) as the C63 sales have been disappointing.

Mercedes-AMG CLE 63 switches four-pot PHEV for 585bhp V8 | Autocar

AMG lines up twin-turbo V8 power for upcoming super-coupé amid slow sales for four-cylinder hybrid C63

www.autocar.co.uk

I personally can't see the Emira getting a hybrid setup as I'm not sure how they would be able to fit the electric motor and battery into the Emira platform.

 

[VL3X]

I personally can't see the Emira getting a hybrid setup as I'm not sure how they would be able to fit the electric motor and battery into the Emira platform.

Correct. The Emira is never going to become a hybrid or EV. The Type 135 is the upcoming Lotus EV sports coupe.

 

[Eagle7]

Correct if you're looking at the plans Lotus had years ago, but as we all know, plans can change; especially if it's Lotus. With all the major players now going back to ICE development, what if Geely also decides to change their mind and plans? Which car would be the most cost-effective to modify as a hybrid transition model, the Emira or the Type 135? I think it would be the Emira since it's already an ICE car. The Type 135 is going to be straight EV, but it may be a problem sales-wise if sales of the Eletre and Emeya are any indication, so we may not see it for awhile. EV's are rapidly becoming the Hindenburg of the automotive world.

Geely could just keep making the Emira for a few more years beyond 2028 and it would probably sell, but they have to plan beyond that. I firmly believe current government regulations are going to change just because of economics, and the all-EV future is going to get pushed out.

 

[Porter]

We got into this topic a bit on the Monthly Call last night. Great discussion.

It remains to be seen how Lotus will respond to the softening of regulatory directives in the EU and elsewhere regarding forced electrification for new cars.

 

[seriously]

not sure if there is really room. Theoretically the cabin could lose the storage shelf and you could squeeze a battery in there- would keep the balance mid-engined. Cayman is doing something like this.

Not sure if there is room for an electric motor though- maybe the bonnet driving the front wheels only? This actually sounds way too complicated for lotus who prefers to just drop in an engine and trans.

 

[Lotus64]

Adding a 48 volt mild hybrid system to the Emira wouldn't be all that difficult to package and would make a great future version. Sandwich the motor between the engine and trans and stuff the inverter and battery somewhere, like ahead of the firewall or the bottom of the trunk. This is system is good for 469hp with the M139I and it doesn't add unreasonable amounts of weight which could easily be offset. Without it, the unassisted M139 is only good for 416hp.

I hope Lotus offers as many Emira variants as possible.

I'm personally not all that interested in a future versions because more power, aero, carbon fiber bits, stiffer suspension, thinner glass and sports seats don't outweigh the additional cost considering my usage. The base Emira hit the sweet spot perfectly. Raw, comfortable, beautiful, quick, affordable...

 

[freefall_junkie]

The last thing the Emira needs is the extra weight, complication and potential reliability issues of a hybrid system. Look at the McLaren Artura. It is a clever car for sure, but McLaren had a nightmare getting it all to work with a long and troubled development, and for what? Does anyone think that it wouldn't be a better drive if they had ditched the idea of the V6 and hybrid system, lost 150kg, and reused the V8 from the 570s?

 

[Lotus64]

The last thing the Emira needs is the extra weight, complication and potential reliability issues of a hybrid system. Look at the McLaren Artura. It is a clever car for sure, but McLaren had a nightmare getting it all to work with a long and troubled development, and for what? Does anyone think that it wouldn't be a better drive if they had ditched the idea of the V6 and hybrid system, lost 150kg, and reused the V8 from the 570s?

You're not wrong..... But this is the reality of the automotive landscape and CAFE standards. I wouldn't want the complication and added weight either (it's actually not all that heavy) but this is the climate we live in. Natural aspiration, supercharging and larger displacement are out while turbocharged small displacement and electrification are in, for better or worse..

 

[Lotustoronto]

Correct if you're looking at the plans Lotus had years ago, but as we all know, plans can change; especially if it's Lotus. With all the major players now going back to ICE development, what if Geely also decides to change their mind and plans? Which car would be the most cost-effective to modify as a hybrid transition model, the Emira or the Type 135? I think it would be the Emira since it's already an ICE car. The Type 135 is going to be straight EV, but it may be a problem sales-wise if sales of the Eletre and Emeya are any indication, so we may not see it for awhile. EV's are rapidly becoming the Hindenburg of the automotive world.

Geely could just keep making the Emira for a few more years beyond 2028 and it would probably sell, but they have to plan beyond that. I firmly believe current government regulations are going to change just because of economics, and the all-EV future is going to get pushed out.

I dunno about electric vehicles being a complete disaster... the way they forced it on consumers was the disastrous part IMO. I think we will see different offerings between Electrification/ICE/Hybrid/Hydrogen. The reason I like BEV's is the simplicity of charging at home. In the future if you set your home properly with solar it could even be free electricity going to charge your car. Don't get me wrong, we are still far away from this being a majority, but with newer battery tech and customers upgrading their own homes to accommodate BEV's I can see where they have their place. Will it be for everyone, no I don't think so.

I am still shocked how big oil companies have not poured billions into creating green fuel alternative that runs like gas. i.e. Porsche's bio fuel. Why not invest billions and get that going to scale. There is certainly politics at play regarding failing EV market.

 

[seriously]

More future versions I think will be good for FE values. Because as future versions become "better", the FE may be considered more pure or better balanced as I think it's nearly perfect out of the box.

 

[RoryBellows]

If you are looking to preserve value just get the manual.

 

[yellowemira]

Speaking of variants, Boardwalk Lotus has an Emira GT4 that they’re looking to sell.

 

[wuster]

what's sticker on this?!

 

[Fasttoys]

The longer they make ICE Emira's the better IMO. The V6 is already removed from EU configurator's (most likely due to ADAS requirements / cybersecurity), however I can see them continuing in North America / UK or anywhere a 4.0 718 can be sold.

I think there is a bit of hint on what is going to happen with Emira via the Eletre configurator. Let me break it down;

EU/UK, ROW - Eletre (base), Eletre S and Eletre R -------- Emira V6, Emira i4 , Emira S i4 400 BHP to be announced (no more V6 in EU and possibly UK) Emira R i4 to be announced

North America - Eletre and Eletre R (no S) ------ Emira V6 400 bhp & Emira i4 (no S variant as that is the V6) Emira R to be announced.

China - Eletre, Eletre S and Eletre R ------ Small amount of Emira V6's entered china, Emira i4 400 BHP (S), Emira R to be announced

This is complete speculation and just my opinion. To me the V6 may continue in North America for another year to two as a base model. But I think in the UK it will die along with EU and be replaced by the i4. Emira base will be 360 and S 400 BHP (like china)

Europe never recieved a final edition V6 Emira... So it is very possible they won't offer a final edition manual anywhere.

I think your guess is inline with what is coming. Since the V6 is the only variant that has a manual transmission it could stay for a few more years in the USA. The V6 is port injected, which allows the S-charger to fit on top of the V6 verses Direct Injection. Unfortunately Port is not the cleanest, so it all depends on Emission/regulations. I do believe that the AMG 4 will be the faster Emira with an easier way to tune it for increase HP. Time will tell but for those that think EV/Hybrid’s will slow verses accelerate around the world are not living in reality. I wonder what the Horse verses the Automobile conversations sounded like in the early 1900’s, we all know who won that battle.

 

[Lotustoronto]

I think your guess is inline with what is coming. Since the V6 is the only variant that has a manual transmission it could stay for a few more years in the USA. The V6 is port injected, which allows the S-charger to fit on top of the V6 verses Direct Injection. Unfortunately Port is not the cleanest, so it all depends on Emission/regulations. I do believe that the AMG 4 will be the faster Emira with an easier way to tune it for increase HP. Time will tell but for those that think EV/Hybrid’s will slow verses accelerate around the world are not living in reality. I wonder what the Horse verses the Automobile conversations sounded like in the early 1900’s, we all know who won that battle.

The i4 400 BHP (S) Emira could be quicker around track than a 718 GT4. If Lotus get it to that level, I think you will see a huge shift from the automotive journalists. I will be eager to watch EVO's track comparison of the i4 S Emira variant taking down the Porsche GT4 time. I wouldn't be surprised if the Emira S gets launched along side the base configurator in the UK this summer (replacing the V6). I have also noticed the lack of i4 (Base) Emira track reviews from Lotus. This feels purposely done and once the 400 BHP i4 goes live, it should receive some serious praise. I don't know what the price point will be for the "S" i4, but in china the Emira costs around 150K USD or 115K GBP. Which depending on Spec the GT4 current used prices are between 115K-150K USD. "S" i4 Emira that can beat a 718 GT4 on track should be around 120K-130K USD. 0-60 time target should be 3.7s.