Given how dated the British sports car maker’s current line-up is, an all-new model is big news for Lotus. And that news comes in the form of the all-new Emira, which has been teased ahead of its global debut on July 6.
Looking set to replace the Elise, Exige and Evora, the Emira is also said to be the last combustion-engined vehicle that Lotus will ever produce.
However, while its internals stick with ICE, the new Emira will take much of its design inspiration from its battery-powered Evija sibling, while the cabin will be a far more modern proposition than Lotus drivers are accustomed to, complete with digital instrumentation.
According to the UK’s Car Magazine, Emira buyers will be able to opt for an updated version of the Toyota V6 used in the Evora, and there will also likely be a smaller four-cylinder option. Lotus says the additional powertrain option will be “new to Lotus, highly efficient, use cutting edge technology and be tuned to help deliver that distinctive Lotus experience.”
Oh, and there won’t be any hybrid option as the extra weight added would go against its founder Colin Chapman’s strict policy of “adding lightness”.
Lotus will eventually have to electrify, however, and this process has already begun with the Evija hypercar, which goes into production later this year, albeit in very limited numbers.
Lotus has already commenced pre-production of the Emira at its extensively upgraded Hethel facility in Norfolk, England.
“It’s the most accomplished Lotus for generations – the perfectly packaged, powered and formed sports car,” Lotus MD Matt Windle enthused.
“Beautifully proportioned, shrink-wrapped, but with comfort, technology and ergonomics built in. With a design inspired by the Evija all-electric hypercar, it’s a game-changing Lotus sports car.”
