(Motorsport-Total.com/Motor1) – A new V8 super sports car is at the center of Lotus’ business strategy “Focus 2030” presented today. But before the “Type 135” appears in 2028, another sports car model will be unveiled first. The Geely-owned manufacturer plans to present a revised Emira in the coming weeks. Technical data is not yet known – but it is clear: it is to become the most powerful and lightest Emira ever.
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The Emira introduced in 2022 is currently offered with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder from the AMG range as well as a larger 3.5-liter supercharged V6 from Toyota. Since Lotus has not yet said anything about the future powertrain, one could speculate that the engineers in Norfolk have further developed one of the two existing engines. But what if not – and instead a completely different unit is used?
In a conference call on the business figures a year ago, Lotus CEO Qingfeng Feng said they are “currently examining the feasibility of the V8.” Whether the project has since been given the green light remains to be seen. If so, it would be obvious to equip the Emira with a variant of that eight-cylinder which is also intended for the brand’s first super sports car. Ironically, the step to the larger V8 could be out of necessity: the V6 apparently cannot be adapted to meet the Euro 7 requirements.
Emira with AMG V8?
Lotus is unlikely to develop a larger engine completely from scratch but would probably rely on a supplier. If that happens, it fits the picture: Mercedes-AMG is working on a new V8 – and it would be obvious to integrate it into the Emira. The fact that the company boss publicly talks about this possibility suggests that a V8 could basically fit in the engine bay, although the Emira was originally designed only for four- and six-cylinder engines.
Regardless of which engine is ultimately used, a plug-in hybrid system is highly unlikely in the more powerful Emira. Lotus announces it will save weight – an electric motor including battery pack would have exactly the opposite effect. For comparison: the current V6 version weighs 1,458 kilograms in European specification, the turbo four-cylinder variant is slightly lighter.
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The future of the Emira is considered secure
A V8 would inevitably add mass compared to the previous versions – but the engineers probably have the know-how to compensate for the extra weight. Apart from the technical details, the future of the sports car built in the UK seems secure: Lotus states that the “Emira continuity is confirmed.” It was actually supposed to be the last pure combustion model – with a view to 2028, when the entire model range was to become fully electric.
However, this electric goal has since been abandoned, and it looks like the Emira will continue for many more years. Lotus is already combining an internal combustion engine with a model originally intended to be purely electric: the Eletre. The brand’s first SUV will receive a plug-in hybrid drive with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder for a China version with the questionable name “Lotus For Me.” The 699 kW (951 hp) PHEV is expected to come to Europe in Q4 2026 – hopefully under a better name.
Given the few remaining sports cars consistently focused on driving pleasure, it is reassuring that Lotus has secured the future of the Emira. More power at lower weight makes the mid-engine performance coupe even more attractive. A pure V8 version would position it as a more affordable alternative to exotic heavyweights from McLaren and Ferrari.
Even if it ultimately remains with one of the previous engines: we are curious how Lotus will take the Emira to the next level after four years on the market.
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