Lotus has introduced the 2024 Emeya electric supercar, boasting approximately 1,000 horsepower and accelerating to 100 km/h in less than three seconds, making it a “four-door” sedan. Lotus claims that the Grand Tourer (GT for short, referring to high-performance cars designed for long-distance journeys) is “one of the fastest GTs in the world,” but it’s advisable to examine some impartial tests before accepting this claim.
How kind of GT the Audi and Porsche’s rival Lotus Emeya?
At first glance, Emeya grabs attention with its top speed of 155 km/h and its ability to reach 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds. When it enters production in early 2024, Emeya is expected to compete with other luxury sports cars like the Audi E-tron GT and Porsche Taycan. Lotus has not yet disclosed important features such as battery capacity or range, although there are specific estimates in this regard.
The company stated that Emeya will be “generally similar” to Lotus’ first EV, the Eletre SUV, which is estimated to have a range of approximately 500 km according to the EPA. Given the dual-motor setup, this vehicle likely features a battery pack exceeding 100 kWh of usable power. More information about Emeya’s battery and range is expected to be released in the fourth quarter of this year.
Lotus claims that Emeya can accept DC fast charging of up to 350 kW, which translates to approximately 150 km of range in about five minutes of charging. The powertrain is expected to produce up to 905 horsepower and 985 Nm of torque. The aerodynamic design aims to enhance range, efficiency, and handling. An active rear diffuser will control the airflow under the car.
Speaking of aerodynamics, it’s noted that the 296 mm wide spoiler (100 mm wider than on the Eletre) provides over 215 kg of net downforce, which, when combined with the active rear diffuser, ensures highly stable performance at high speeds. So, Lotus has presented us with a car that is highly advanced in terms of aerodynamics.
Lotus, owned by Chinese company Geely, is in the process of reinventing itself for the electric age. Emeya will be the second of three new EVs that Lotus plans to launch in the next four years, with the others being a sports car, a coupe-sedan, and an SUV.
It’s worth noting that the Eletre crossover SUV, featuring a battery capacity exceeding 100 kWh and 600 horsepower, was officially introduced last year. The transition to electric appears to be a project aimed at improving Lotus’s declining sales figures. In 2022, the automaker sold only 576 cars, a 62% decrease from the previous year. Additionally, the company reported a loss of £145.1 million ($180.9 million) during the year and is considering laying off over 200 employees.
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