Lotus Emira V8 in Testing & Other News

Okay so today's Lotus Technology group investor call happened this morning.

Here are some updates:

- Hybrid Plugin Macan Competitor 2026Q1 China, Q3 ROW
- Facelift 2027 Lotus Emira I4 with power increase
- Lotus Emira V6 Discontinued
- Lotus Emira V8 Euro 7 Compliant powertrain in investigation/testing/development.

Thanks @Lotustoronto for being our live discord blogger


Disclaimer: I'm basing this off recollections from someone else from the call, I haven't had time to listen to the full call myself, but some things may be inaccurate, and a lot of info has been missed too, I recommend you listen to the call yourself, the QA starts at 21 minutes in.

 

[netsinah]

Fingers crossed for a naturally aspirated Mercedes sourced V8. Imagine the sounds

I hear you. I just sold my 10 year-old 2016 Mercedes E550 (twin turbo V8) and LOVED its somewhat understated "not-too-loud but there" low/powerful V8 rumble. I liked it so much, I wanted to replace it with another but was disappointed to learn Mercedes only makes a V8 in the AMG line and it's been that way for many years. I'm not a fan of AMG's maintenance costs, as many aren't judging by the much depreciated number of used ones for sale. Anyway, I'm now driving a new V6 E450 which often requires I look at the tachometer to verify the engine is running, which has me pining for my Emira with its (now upgraded) exhaust system that you can actually hear. I can't wait to get it on the road.

The the weight difference of a V8 in an Emira, is an entirely different issue and one that has its supporters/detractors, judging by this thread alone. For track use, I enjoyed the Z51 C8 Corvette with its 500 HP V8, but you can't beat the superior cornering of the Emira...decisions, decisions...

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

I thought exports to the US of anything would be killed stone dead due to tariffs? Or has Donny T had another chance of heart?

Considering the US is the largest consumer in the world, there's no way you truly believe that.

 

[F1 SML8R]

Considering the US is the largest consumer in the world, there's no way you truly believe that.

This.

 

[Lotustoronto]

The Valhalla's engine is inline not transverse.

View attachment 63094

I stand corrected... Perhaps there is enough space to have it longitudinally by removing rear shelf space and maybe some trunk?

 

[Milk242]

V8 seems too big to shove into this chassis, I guess they would need to get rid of the rear trunk space. I vote for the Audi i5 engine found in the rs3/ttrs. Has such a unique sound.

 

[EspritGuy]

Don't think there's enough room to stay transverse. The Esprit V8 had the longitudinal position

Yes, it did. That twin-turbo Lotus-built engine was only worth 350 HP and the Esprit weighed less than the Emira. I chalk up the difference to the refinements, the heavier seats being a major factor. That particular transmission also prevented boosting the HP. One owner trashed his by tuning to 500 HP. I loved that car but my Emira bests it.
2026 Emira sales will be telling/testing the market.
I feel a 2027 Emira will offer a boosted AMG i4 engine, perhaps to 416 HP (per Evora). Sorry, it will be AT. Emissions constraints will still be a factor in 2 years. Costs will be up for sure which will narrow the purchasing universe. The Evora sales suffered because of niche appeal, while Emira expanded the addressable market.
MT is/will be a symbol of past glories. It outsold the AT in all forms and much of what recently sat at US dealer lots was i4/AT. But recent YouTube videos show it to be faster thanks to launch control. Again the future will be AT.
Smaller production of a costlier car (for track rats) presents an interesting business case for a company some thought to be (once again) in demise mode.
The Lotus name evokes saga.

 

[Tomwa]

I don't think a V8 is too big. Granted, if we just pushed the V6 out to a V8 in size it would only be a 4.6 Liter. So, I'll grant you that your options for V8 Might only be bigger than that and start taking up more room than is present.

I think they won't bother with V8 if they can only do it as an AT. If their goal is to shoot for a 911 GT3 as the market/performance to compete with, they will be looking very hard at the fact that the Manual would sell better if it was an option. If they can sell both maybe better than one alone.

I don't think there is a practical way to sell the car with a transverse setup. Even with something like Lamborghini having the rear of the transmission poke out the bumper.

 

[Rcktmn]

If they made a small displacement, lightweight V8 that revved to the moon that would be pretty cool. Maybe partner with Cosworth or Honda

 

[Steve24]

Actually if it was up to me, I’d prefer a V8 to have a really good DCT.
Then you would have proper supercar rivalling performance.

As much as I enjoy the manual box, it is clearly what is holding the car back from being genuinely quick.

I guess in a perfect world they might offer both.
And a convertible…

 

[Nick in Sydney]

First quarter deliveries of only 1,282 vehicles is a train-wreck for Lotus. They delivered over 4,000 in Q4 last year. It's a yearly run rate of just 5,128 vehicles from a company that planned to be selling 100,00+ by now.

US car tarrifs didn't come into effect until the end of the quarter, so they aren't the cause. Eletre and Emeya are not selling at all. Frankly, it might make sense to hand back the Chinese factory to Geely (it's only a contract operation, Lotus doesn't own it) and shrink back down to Hethel.

 

[Nick in Sydney]

Lots of big news hidden in this updated product pipeline!

1. TYP 135, the EV Emira replacement, is gone. Instead they're going to keep Emira alive for far longer than originally planned.
2. The 2027 Emira facelift, which will be an upgrade to the power of the AMG unit. Perhaps the R model?
3. TYP 134 (the Macan) will now be a PHEV instead of an EV . . . as it always should have been!
4. New Model 2. Probably a Ferrari /McLaren competitor built around the Theory One.

On the investor call, the CEO said that they are not attempting to get more power out of the Emira V6 because it won't comply with European emissions, but they are in the early stage of assessing a V8 alternative!

 

[Gprodigy]

V8 sounds awesome. What’s a realistic time frame to assess a new production engine? I’m assuming it’s 1.5 years minimum in testing and planning alone if everything goes right. Then another 1-2 years to get the car delivered from lotus.

 

[Emira Fan]

V8 sounds awesome. What’s a realistic time frame to assess a new production engine? I’m assuming it’s 1.5 years minimum in testing and planning alone if everything goes right. Then another 1-2 years to get the car delivered from lotus.

For sure a v8 isn't coming anytime soon, look how long it took to get the Turbo into the US. I'm with you thinking 2029+ if an engine candidate actually exists today. I have a couple Mercedes AMG V8's they are awesome, however the engines are large, the trunk would likely need to go.

 

[Nick in Sydney]

V8 sounds awesome. What’s a realistic time frame to assess a new production engine? I’m assuming it’s 1.5 years minimum in testing and planning alone if everything goes right. Then another 1-2 years to get the car delivered from lotus.

Maybe the V8 will be part of the 2027 Emira facelift, with the first V8 cars delivered in early 2028?

 

[seriously]

exciting. V8 will be crazy expensive in Asia.

 

[FST]

They can remove the trunk, i don't use it anyway and was always wonder how nice the v6 would sit there LT. the v8 in LT format and no SC would make the car look and feel like a proper supercar. The AMG could be one of the engines.. maybe the Audi R8 V8 MT but i doubt these engines will be euro7 compliant.

 

[freefall_junkie]

First quarter deliveries of only 1,282 vehicles is a train-wreck for Lotus. They delivered over 4,000 in Q4 last year. It's a yearly run rate of just 5,128 vehicles from a company that planned to be selling 100,00+ by now.

US car tarrifs didn't come into effect until the end of the quarter, so they aren't the cause. Eletre and Emeya are not selling at all. Frankly, it might make sense to hand back the Chinese factory to Geely (it's only a contract operation, Lotus doesn't own it) and shrink back down to Hethel.

I would love to see a V8 Emira, but with those absolutely dire sales figures you have to wonder whether Lotus will survive long enough to see any of these revised product plans to fruition.

 

[virtualmacho]

I would love to see a V8, V10, 3 rotor, etc. on the Emira platform, but to be honest, "investigating the feasibility" doesn't really sound promising...

 

[PatrickJS]

come on guys we all know which v8 theyre going to go with

There’s life in the V8 and V12 yet! Big Mercedes engines will sail through Euro 7 emissions tests | Auto Express

German giant is confident its line-up of ICE engines, including much loved V8 and V12, will have no problem dealing with incoming regulations

www.autoexpress.co.uk

 

[seriously]

“Details of what specific changes this will entail are still vague, but the new variant of this iconic engine will feature mild-hybridisation, plus a flat-plane crank is likely to be included to help keep a lid on emissions.”

This could take the emira into genuine supercar territory and command a much higher price. It will have to be DCT to be the fastest emira version.

This would make alot of sense for their best selling lotus and a boost for the brand.