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.

 

[NJ-Emira]

Too much weight and power for that chassis. 400 hp is exactly correct with a manual transmission. It’s a momentum car. You don’t need it to be a dragster.

 

[OppositeLock]

3200 lb cars aren't really momentum cars, they can't keep their momentum very well through turns. I love my Emira, but it can't hang with a real momentum car in the corners. I've tracked my Elise for 16 years and now I've done a couple of track days in the Emira, and it's a fat piggy. I love it for what it is, but momentum car it's not. It could use some more power and be a powerful fat piggy like a Corvette.

 

[Nick in Sydney]

I do agree with above post that mentioned Theory 1 as the possible 2nd model to be released. I think they will be aiming this directly at super car territory.

Almost certainly, IMO. The CEO recently said that they were conscious that the Lifestyle cars were "off brand" for Lotus and that they needed a new car to reinforce the sports car and racing heritage.

 

[NJ-Emira]

100% Disagree. 3100lbs is light by today’s standards.

My GT3 Touring weighs the same. Drive a 3700lb pig and you’ll understand.

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

Maybe the New Model 2 could look like this. Would be dope! I’m also curious what the Emira facelift will look like. I hope it’s more than just different bumpers.

 

[Tomwa]

Eh render farm marketing slop.

That front windshield profile would only support a single driver or driver-passenger sitting tandem.

Any 'face lift' will really likely only be updated bumpers, taillights, headlights. You might get something like new side mirrors or a few interior touches, but I would not expect them to re-do lots because it's just too expensive to do so. The primary configuration and structure of the car will not be changed, nor any glass.

 

[Hethel Merman]

Perhaps the V8 could go in a cut-price version of the Evija.

 

[EspritGuy]

Eh render farm marketing slop.

That front windshield profile would only support a single driver or driver-passenger sitting tandem.

Any 'face lift' will really likely only be updated bumpers, taillights, headlights. You might get something like new side mirrors or a few interior touches, but I would not expect them to re-do lots because it's just too expensive to do so. The primary configuration and structure of the car will not be changed, nor any glass.

New color palette comes to mind.