2.0 EMIRA has arrived in China

[Matt]

On the 21st of Nov, an Emira with M139 egine arrived in China. I don't know if it is a production car, but it has a real M139 engine.

 

[Bilbao-Emira]

Great news!

Now, can you please put it on the dyno and let the whole 360-400hp debate unleash!

I hope it's not final production version. Having to disconnect the battery every time you shutdown is not very convenient!! 🤣

 

[scoates]

Looks like it says TT2 which could mean it's the second Tooling Trial prototype. I think this is one of the last stages before production so if the V6 timeline was the same maybe 6-8 months until customer deliveries?

 

[Matt]

Looks like it says TT2 which could mean it's the second Tooling Trial prototype. I think this is one of the last stages before production so if the V6 timeline was the same maybe 6-8 months until customer deliveries?

I watched a video of "Harry's Garage". Accroding to an interview of the manager of LOTUS, production of the 2.0 EMIRA will begin in the first or second quarter of 2023.

 

[ADC]

Sweet jesus, why is this all so secretive?!?

 

[Nick in Sydney]

Sweet jesus, why is this all so secretive?!?

Is it though? I think Lotus have been pretty clear in saying that i4 production is delayed until they clear the backlog of V6 cars. Production is likely to start in Q2 next year.

 

[Matt]

Is it though? I think Lotus have been pretty clear in saying that i4 production is delayed until they clear the backlog of V6 cars. Production is likely to start in Q2 next year.

The general manager of LOTUS did say so last month.

 

[Pegasi]

To be honest I am very excited by this. A new engine in a new Lotus.

 

[virtualmacho]

Sounds like progress. Great news.

 

[lynchy73]

Good news

 

[xiaowenke]

Engine Model：JLH-4G20TDF？

 

[andyss]

View attachment 19705Engine Model：JLH-4G20TDF？

298kW = 399.6 bhp (UK)

 

[emiraspain]

View attachment 19705Engine Model：JLH-4G20TDF？

turbo deisel haha

 

[Jonhklee]

Can’t wait for reviews. Good to see 400bhp, at least that is minimum for UK version after an ECU tune

Still hate the fact the UK cars comes with 360bhp as factory standard just so not to steal sales from the V6!

 

[First Lotus]

Can’t wait for reviews. Good to see 400bhp, at least that is minimum for UK version after an ECU tune

Still hate the fact the UK cars comes with 360bhp as factory standard just so not to steal sales from the V6!

Genuine question... Why would lotus care whether people bought v6 or i4?

 

[Cutting42]

I was speculating to myself today that maybe part of the reasons for the longer delay to the i4 is that Lotus will actually release the 400bhp version in the UK once the main tranche of FE v6's have been delivered???

Probably just wishful thinking

 

[Jonhklee]

I was speculating to myself today that maybe part of the reasons for the longer delay to the i4 is that Lotus will actually release the 400bhp version in the UK once the main tranche of FE v6's have been delivered???

Probably just wishful thinking

I think there’s logic in that. Initially China wasn’t going to get V6, but that changed as i4s were delayed.

Also, releasing V6 manual creates PR buzz and probably higher profit margins. I suspect the Hethel guys wanted to release it for “Brand value”. Can’t imagine releasing auto only being good for brand value for Lotus’s final ICE car

 

[Callabrator]

Genuine question... Why would lotus care whether people bought v6 or i4?

My guess is that the profit margin on the (aging) V6 is better than it is on the (brand new-ish) i4, and the marketing message of "bigger engine - moar power!", is an easy one to tell. Purely speculation on my part though.

 

[IanO]

Genuine question... Why would lotus care whether people bought v6 or i4?

I think only Matt Windle can answer that but my guess would be V6 as a premium engine with better sound and a manual gearbox option which a lot of enthusiasts want. i4 developed for the Chinese market where taxes are prohibitive for engines above 2L. This then gives the opportunity for a cheaper 360hp lead in engine for Europe, although contrary to what the label says I thought one of the conversations in the forum stated that Matt swindle had confirmed China i4 was also 360ps. If the i4 really is available as 400ps lotus are unlikely to offer that version in Europe as they would have to spend the time and money to homologate it, and add complexity to the factory just for it to compete with the existing v6. Yes there will be people for whom this would be their ideal combination and keep hoping it will happen but I don’t see a business case for Lotus investing in this.

 

[vantage]

Lotus is charging more for the V6 than the i4, so that's why they care.