First released in 1957, the Lotus Seven was a small, simple and lightweight sports car, originally sold in the UK in kit form, the dream child of the now legendary car designer Colin Chapman. The car made no concessions whatsoever to passenger comfort. Instead the primary focus was on performance and low cost through the use of readily available automotive parts. Leap forward sixty-seven years and, my, how things have moved on. It’s interesting to speculate what Chapman would think of the brand today, especially the latest offering, the exquisite-looking Lotus Emeya featured here. It’s the first four-door ‘hyper-GT’ from this iconic car maker and, it goes without saying, it’s all-electric.
This GT joins as the flagship model in the Lotus line-up of luxury lifestyle electric vehicles and it’s all part of the company’s vision to become a global performance brand by 2028. Production is expected to begin this year and, as we understand it, the car will be available to order in the fourth quarter.
About The Emeya
It may be an electric car but potential buyers are being reassured that, true to form, it is exciting to drive and performs exceptionally.
All the requirements to deliver the essential Lotus DNA are there including advanced and active aerodynamic features such as a new and pioneering active front grille, a rear diffuser and rear spoiler. All this, combined with a low centre of gravity that Lotus calls the ‘hyperstance’, enhances stability when driving, and sets a new standard in the Grand Touring segment for ride and handling excellence. The Emeya has an electronically controlled air suspension system. Its advanced onboard sensors feel the road 1,000 times a second (we’ve come a long way from the basic bolt-on suspension of the magnificent Seven) and automatically adjusts the vehicle to ensure the smoothest ride.
The top specification choice for the Emeya features Lotus’s high-power dual motor set-up that delivers a top speed of more than 155mph (250km/h) and can accelerate from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in under 2.8 seconds, making it one of the fastest electric GTs in the world.
This fabulous electric vehicle (EV) has been consciously designed with advanced materials that are sustainably sourced, to reduce its carbon footprint. This includes a new luxury thread made from repurposed fibres from the fashion industry – as well as PVD aluminium, Alcantara, Nappa leather, and something called ‘Ultrafabrics PU’.
About The EV Charging
To provide customers with confidence wherever they’re travelling, the performance of Emeya is complemented by the company’s market-leading charging capabilities. It can add 93 miles (150km) of range with approximately five minutes of charge using a 350kW DC fast charger, as well as boost range up to 80% within 18 minutes.
About The Creature Comforts
Ensuring that every occupant can enjoy an unrivalled music soundtrack, the Emeya features a truly immersive audio system developed with a specialist audio brand. The Emeya’s speaker system will elevate music listening to new levels, they say, featuring as it does an award-winning speaker design and space-saving subwoofer enclosure, as well as ‘Dolby Atmos’ enabled 3D surround sound – first seen on the Lotus Eletre ‘Hyper-SUV’.
This is a Lotus the like of which motorists have never seen before, the brand having built on their growing reputation. It seems they have created a luxury performance car for avid drivers combining this with four-door luxury and comfort. Here are the headline features:
There’s a spacious boot of up to 509 litres, offering everyday usability, ideal for touring. There’s generous legroom for all passengers, ensuring they have the most spacious and comfortable ride. For added luxury the car offers no less than five massage modes at three different intensity levels, ensuring all occupants have a relaxing ride no matter where they are sat.
Power-assisted doors make entering the vehicle seamless for customers (unlike clambering into a Lotus Seven in the manner of a large cat getting into a small box). A kick sensor on the tailgate enables customers to easily open the boot, even when their hands are full. Another top feature is the advanced intelligent panoramic glass roof, which drivers can switch between opaque and clear.
Naturally connectivity is to the fore with cutting-edge technologies, which have been designed to provide a seamless experience for the driver, further connecting them to the vehicle. For example, there’s a state-of-the-art 15.1 inch HD OLED Lotus Hyper OS infotainment system, which features an interactive 3D display to access its numerous functions. The car is thus able to respond rapidly in real-time to any changes the driver makes and adjust accordingly. EV routing and an augmented heads-up display combine with over-the-air software updates as required and delivered direct to each Emeya, so Lotus can continue to advance the driver experience by offering new services and upgrades.
About The Drive
The aforementioned innovative, driver-focused suspension design is also available with all wheel drive, advanced active roll control and rear-wheel steering. Advanced active aerodynamics such as an active air dam under the front bumper and an active rear spoiler to aid superior handling by increasing downforce and therefore stability in the car when deployed and reducing drag when not deployed.
The advanced new high-performance twin-layer battery design’s cooling attributes support sustainability of performance, even under extreme driving conditions such as on a circuit, yet also provides greater driving range between charges.
Lightweight carbon ceramic brakes reduce weight and braking distance and there’s up to five driving modes comprising Range, Tour, Sport, Individual and Track. Drivers can control the ride height, air suspension stiffness, acceleration response, seat configuration (with adjustable side bolsters), and more to optimise efficiency, performance, and comfort in any environment. In short, combined with Emeya’s low driving position, every element of the car is designed to connect drivers to the road and evoke the genuine feeling of being in a true Lotus sports car however it is powered. We think Colin would approve.
This prestige sports GT is a big step forward for Lotus. If this, or indeed any Lotus model currently available is of interest, please contact us here at MHH International to find out about our comprehensive export service from the UK to various global destinations, noting that exports are VAT-free.
