New Lotus Emeya is a hyper-GT with an electric heart and striking lines
The second all-electric mass-production Lotus has been revealed, taking the brand in yet another new direction
This is the new Lotus Emeya, the second model in the company’s much-vaunted electrification product strategy after the well-received Eletre SUV. While there will be shared on-board tech and drivetrain components, the Emeya is a different kind of car, a ‘Hyper-GT’, in Lotus’s own coinage, designed to go up against the current market leaders like the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT.
Just like with the Eletre, this is unknown territory for Lotus, which had thus far spent its history focused almost exclusively on two-seater sports cars (with the occasional compact rear seats tucked in behind). There’s a clear familial resemblance to the faceted, duct-straked visual language of the Eletre, but the Emeya is (obviously) lower and sleeker, with the passenger compartment offering a more intimate, bespoke experience. In an increasingly commonplace move in the premium sector, the Emeya includes a new ‘luxury thread’ made from repurposed fibre as well as other recycled materials.
Perhaps that’ll also translate into a more dynamic experience, but the Eletre has already set benchmarks as one of the best handling large-scale SUVs on the market. Still, performance is absolutely central to the Lotus ethos, so we can expect the Emeya to live up to its ‘hyper’ billing.
The numbers released ahead of the launch suggest that it’ll be no slouch off the line, with the top specification model capable of a 2.8 second sprint to 62mph, and presumably plenty of shove in the mid-range as well. EV buyers also care passionately about the available range, and although deploying that acceleration won’t help you get anywhere quicker, we’d expect it to best the Eletre’s top-line range of 370 miles.
The Emeya also shares the Eletre’s ability to top that range up in record time, adding 93 miles in just five minutes on a (rare) 350kW fast charger, and reaching 80 per cent in 18 minutes. Other key technologies include the active aerodynamics, which improve stability and driving efficiency, as well as electronically controlled air suspension. It’ll also share the Eletre’s monumental-sounding Dolby Atmos-enabled audio system, developed in collaboration with KEF.
The new Emeya will start production in 2024 in the same Chinese facility as the Eletre. Pricing will also be announced at a later date.
Lotus Emeya, available in 2024, pricing tbc, LotusCars.com
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.
-
Art Basel returns to Paris: here is everything to see and do
Art Basel Paris 2024 (18 - 20 October 2024) returns, opening at the newly renovated Grand Palais
By Amah-Rose Abrams Published
-
PAD London’s 16th edition is a blisteringly optimistic case for human achievement
At PAD London, collectible design is more than rarefied furniture; it is a compelling case for the uplifting power of craftsmanship at the dawn of the AI revolution
By Hugo Macdonald Published
-
Aston Martin bring the Midas touch to their super tourer with the DB12 Goldfinger Edition
Released in honour of the sixtieth anniversary of the iconic James Bond film, Aston Martin has gone all out to the DB12 Goldfinger Edition a worthy collector’s item for high rolling film fans
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
We sample the latest sports car from bespoke British manufacturer Theon Design
With the GBR002, Theon Design have transformed a classic Porsche into a low-key bespoke supercar, uprating and enhancing the iconic 964 model to exacting customer specifications
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
New-generation car camping and roof tents for luxury-loving adventurers
Car camping is having a moment. While Hyundai and Porsche can get you kitted up, we explore other options
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
The Marsien is an all-terrain supercar that takes the Porsche aesthetic into new territories
The Marsien by Marc Philipp Gemballa is a limited edition off-roading supercar inspired by the golden era of rallying Porsches
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Driven: the electrically enhanced Porsche 911 raises the bar for the sports car stalwart
The new Porsche 911 Carrera GTS marks the debut of Porsche’s T-Hybrid system, boosting performance and efficiency. We get behind the wheel
By Rory FH Smith Published
-
Bentley rolls out the latest version of its majestic grand tourer, the Continental GT Speed
Available as both coupé and convertible, the fourth generation Bentley Continental GT Speed harnesses hybrid power to become a record breaker for the brand
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Coming soon: a curated collection of all the new EVs and hybrids that matter
We've rounded up new and updated offerings from Audi, Porsche, Ineos, Mini and more to keep tabs on the shifting sands of the mainstream car market
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Porsche transforms the Macan into its newest all-electric model
The new Porsche Macan 4 and Macan Turbo are compact electric SUVs that mark a major step in the company’s transformation into a luxury EV maker
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
24 transportation design innovations for 2024
From electric cars to new airports and sports boats, here’s a non-exhaustive list of 24 of the most interesting transportation design innovations to expect in the coming year
By Jonathan Bell Published