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Emira: the last petrol is a bridge to brand’s future
The Lotus Emira is the last combustion-powered sports car from Hethel. That alone makes it special. But just a few minutes behind the wheel are enough to understand that it doesn’t need nostalgic celebration: the Emira speaks for itself, with a distinct accent made of responsiveness, lightness, and genuine feel.
Under the rear mid-mounted hood beats a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder of AMG origin, delivering 406 hp and 480 Nm of torque to the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The technical setup is that of a true sports car, and the dynamic behavior confirms it: compact (4.41 m), light (1,457 kg), and honest in weight transfer. It communicates like few others. Official figures state 0–100 km/h in 4.0 seconds and a top speed of 291 km/h.
On track, it drives with disarming naturalness. The chassis seems to anticipate the driver’s intentions, the steering is precise and detailed, and the balance between front and rear lets you “read” every corner. Braking is strong and consistent, body roll minimal. Even when you push harder, the Emira remains composed and controllable — never tiring or unpredictable.
On the road, its character becomes more nuanced. The cabin is tight, and getting in requires some contortion compared to the brand’s electric GTs. But once inside, you’re at the center of the action. Every input is direct, every reaction immediate. The car follows the asphalt so faithfully that on uneven surfaces, the front wheels demand constant attention — nothing is filtered, everything is transmitted. A trait that might seem like a flaw to some, but for those seeking pure connection with the road, it’s a priceless quality.
Overall comfort is good, but that’s not the Emira’s purpose. It doesn’t need flashy tech or dramatic solutions. Here, substance rules: balance, feedback, and the raw voice of the turbo breathing a few centimeters from your ears — a mechanical sound that adds emotional depth to the drive.
In short, the Emira is the most faithful Lotus to the brand’s past, yet not outdated. It carries the brand’s DNA — lightness, balance, involvement — into a more modern, accessible form. It’s not the last Lotus, but it’s the last chance to experience driving in a way that’s slowly disappearing. And for many, that makes it irreplaceable.
Eletre: SUV in form only
Talking about the Lotus Eletre, which we had already tested before, means rethinking what an SUV can be. Electric, huge, immensely powerful — everything seems far removed from Hethel’s DNA. But it isn’t. Because when you floor the pedal and the 918 hp of the 900 Sport version kick in, you realize this isn’t a shift — it’s an explosion.
Beneath its aerodynamic crossover body hides a refined chassis and true sports-car mechanics. All-wheel drive comes from two electric motors, while a 112 kWh battery powers an 800V architecture allowing ultra-fast charging: from 10 to 80% in 20 minutes, with peaks up to 420 kW. Range reaches 600 km (WLTP). Despite its 2,640 kg weight and 5.10 m length, the Eletre sprints from 0–100 km/h in 2.95 seconds and tops out at 265 km/h.
Those numbers are astonishing on paper — and even more so on track. The acceleration is brutal, almost shocking, but the real surprise is how such mass is handled through corners. Active air suspension and continuously controlled dampers minimize roll and pitch. Steering is direct and communicative, and the active anti-roll bar (optional with rear-wheel steering) adds unexpected agility for a car of this size.
The only real weak spot at high pace is the steel braking system: solid and well-modulated on the road, but strained on track after a few hot laps. Otherwise, the Eletre is stunning — fast, precise, manageable. The sport seats hold you tight, and the ergonomics support spirited driving without compromising comfort.
On the road, it transforms. Its “civil” side shows in every detail: silent, smooth, composed, it absorbs bumps gracefully and remains stable even at motorway speeds. The real limitation is physical — at 2.06 m wide, narrow roads can feel tight. But it’s a trade-off worth making for the reference-level comfort it offers.
Inside, the experience borders on luxury. Every surface is wrapped in fine materials, every control thoughtfully placed. The 15.1-inch OLED infotainment display manages everything, even air vents — though the interface can be a bit cumbersome. Optional digital mirrors look striking but can be impractical in poor visibility.
Notable touches include the steering wheel paddles: the left adjusts regenerative braking, the right selects drive modes — automatically tightening the side bolsters in Sport mode. Features rarely seen even in higher-end vehicles.
The Lotus Eletre is, in essence, a perfectly functioning oxymoron: a track-capable SUV, a family sports car, a two-tonne machine that thrills like a compact coupé. Proof that evolution doesn’t mean betrayal — even a car born for the city can find its true voice on the circuit.
Emeya: the other face of speed
We tested the Emeya S in a long trip from Munich to Rome, and it was impressive in terms of performance and, above all, real range on highways.. Now is the turn of the Emeya R. In the world of high-performance electric sedans, the Lotus Emeya moves with elegance grounded in substance, not trend. It doesn’t try to impress at all costs — and yet it does, through sharp design, advanced tech, and dynamics that tell a completely different story once you’re behind the wheel.
Its four-door coupé profile is only the prologue. With 918 hp in the 900 Sport version, the Emeya goes from 0–100 km/h in 2.78 seconds and reaches 256 km/h, maintaining textbook composure. Even the “base” 612 hp version achieves 0–100 in 4.15 seconds, proving there are no minor choices in the lineup.
Like the Eletre, it uses an 800V architecture, but with a 102 kWh battery. Charging performance is record-breaking: just 14 minutes to go from 10 to 80% at a 420 kW charger, adding 350 km of range in 15 minutes. On paper they’re numbers; in real life, they mean freedom and minimal waiting.
On track, the Emeya surprises. Its 2.5-tonne weight disappears behind precise, natural handling. Steering is sharp, balance perfect, and the 50/50 weight distribution keeps the car composed even at the limit. Active aerodynamics keep it glued to the ground, with moving elements that adapt to speed and driving mode.
The result? A car that inspires confidence without numbing sensations. Even at its most intense, responses are filtered through a coherent platform that reacts smoothly and precisely. Steel brakes are more than enough for daily use, though they tire during extended track sessions. The real strength, however, is the Emeya’s dual nature.
On the road, it’s transformed. Virtually silent, with excellent acoustic insulation thanks to laminated glass and meticulous build quality. Inside, the 15.1-inch OLED display controls every aspect of the vehicle — even air vents — though the interface can sometimes interrupt flow (for example, returning to Apple CarPlay requires menu navigation).
The experience is completed by a 1,000-watt KEF sound system, surrounding occupants in a refined, dynamic, and surprisingly relaxing atmosphere. Long journeys aren’t just possible — they’re desirable.
The Lotus Emeya doesn’t seek direct rivals. It isn’t trying to be a Taycan or a Model S. Instead, it defines a third path: a GT for true drivers, blending brute force with tactile finesse. A car that moves effortlessly between racetrack and highway — without asking you to choose between comfort and performance.
It’s the future of electric grand touring according to Lotus: radical in performance, measured in style, and unexpectedly human in feel.
Charging: speed that delivers
If range anxiety is the biggest concern for EV buyers, Lotus answers not with reassurance but liberation. Both Eletre and Emeya share the same 800V platform, developed not just for performance but for class-leading charging efficiency.
They both support up to 350 kW fast charging. In practice: about 14–20 minutes from 10 to 80%, recovering 350–420 km of range depending on model and conditions.
The real surprise is the stability of the charging curve — power remains high even when the battery isn’t near empty, meaning fewer stops and less waiting. No sudden drops, no wasted time. Technology quietly doing what it should: making travel smoother, simpler, more natural.
Evolution in progress
At the end of this day on track and road, one feeling remains: Lotus hasn’t betrayed itself. It has changed form, evolved — but the core, that essential driving pleasure, that honest response, that lightness that’s no longer just about weight, is still there.
From the Emira to the Evija, every model offers a different way to interpret performance. It’s not just about power or numbers — it’s about sensations. And Lotus, even with a new language, still speaks them fluently.
