2027 Changes

Lotus Emira to go hybrid! | Autocar

Sports car will gain same 'Hyper Hybrid' technology being developed for the brand's luxury EVs

www.autocar.co.uk

 

[EspritGuy]

If they go with a hybrid system, I hope they go very light on the ICE. Not gonna lie, this news makes me a little nervous.

Mr. Wolfe

An absolutely engaging conversation, the most impactful ever on the Emira.
Looking from the proverbial 50,000 ft. view:
- legacy Lotus leadership has been replaced by Geely (EV) loyalists
- 400 or more Hethel staff now have new free time
- Lotus financials are presently dismal, focusing developmental costs
- 2030 emissions regulations are triggering prepatory moves now
- a 2027 'whatever model' intro means 2028 deliveries
- the Emira was niche from get-go, will not see 10,000 units globally again
- a small-volume, expensive v8 push by an EV mfgr. seems implausible
- all prices going forward are headed north (see niche comment)
- Emira sales now are trending south, and a 180 turn unlikely
- hybrid is the (mass market) future one way or another
- are US market preferences the tail wagging the global dog?
- if you have an Emira love it, or get one soon. Choices are changing.
- those wanting rare exotic collectible status are getting their wish
- the new will be different, exclusive, rare for more money
- enjoy the moment (see US/Canada delivery thread trend chart)

 

[R1272]

This

 

[GrahamClark_60-68]

Ignoring for a moment that "Lotus has confirmed it is planning a plug-in hybrid version of the Emira sports car" is an outright lie, I find it difficult to imagine a PHEV (= ICE + alternator + Motor + Battery) is going to come anywhere near the mass of the Emira. I know, I know, we are all petrol heads here, but I drove the original *2,877* lbs Tesla Roadster and it was hysterically fun. I would instantly have bought a modern version of that in an Emira body (the original Roadster is showing its age).

While I love the Elise, and thought the Roadster was pretty cool (and now obviously extremely rare, almost never see them even here in So Cal), I can remember reading an article, maybe posted in this forum, that examined the deplorable weight balance compared to the original. I guess due to the “sled” placement of all the weight from batteries as opposed to mid-rear engine balance. Not sure if there anything in modern EV systems that could correct for this, seems you still have this same issue today (lots of heavy batteries that take up space have to be placed somewhere.

In the case of a Yaris hybrid, which would include at least some potentially heavy battery storage, im wondering if that could be packaged to preserve the desired weight balance.

But then many of us come back to the subjective joy of hearing what our cars sound like at speed. (I’ve never heard a Yaris hybrid but I’m imagining it can’t compare). These options can never replace that emotion, at least as far as I’m concerned.

 

[DerTheDer]

The US Emira launch was a mess due to a combination of incompetence and terrible luck. But Geely Auto sells more than two million cars each year— a hybrid Emira is not a massive challenge.

Its not for Geely, but it is for Lotus, thats the difference. Geely let Lotus loose with almost zero oversight and...well...you saw what happened.

 

[sixtyy]

Thanks for checking in on this -- I was like these are some big claims without direct quotes?

I just hope the Turbo 4 stays alive for the 2027 year -- was planning on picking up an Emira around then.

Just get a 2nd hand. It is great value at 85K-90K for 1000 miles car now.

 

[idleuser]

Its not for Geely, but it is for Lotus, thats the difference. Geely let Lotus loose with almost zero oversight and...well...you saw what happened.

Not sure what you saw but most of us saw Lotus make 2 evs costing over 100k as instructed by their overlords.

 

[LotsOfTriumphsUsuallySexy]

While I love the Elise, and thought the Roadster was pretty cool (and now obviously extremely rare, almost never see them even here in So Cal), I can remember reading an article, maybe posted in this forum, that examined the deplorable weight balance compared to the original. I guess due to the “sled” placement of all the weight from batteries as opposed to mid-rear engine balance. Not sure if there anything in modern EV systems that could correct for this, seems you still have this same issue today (lots of heavy batteries that take up space have to be placed somewhere.

In the case of a Yaris hybrid, which would include at least some potentially heavy battery storage, im wondering if that could be packaged to preserve the desired weight balance.

But then many of us come back to the subjective joy of hearing what our cars sound like at speed. (I’ve never heard a Yaris hybrid but I’m imagining it can’t compare). These options can never replace that emotion, at least as far as I’m concerned.

The Roadster never had a sled battery. It's a battery back behind the seats, exactly like the Evija. The weight balance may be right but I assume Lotus got it right in the Evija and thus could do the same for Emira.

I also like hearing and smelling the horses as they drag my carriage (I just hate cleaning up after them). People and taste change as the centuries progress.

 

[DerTheDer]

Not sure what you saw but most of us saw Lotus make 2 evs costing over 100k as instructed by their overlords.

Im talking about the production and ensuring antics with releasing a vehicle.

If it was Geely I would not have had to wait 3+ years from the time I placed my order till I was in the drivers seat.

 

[GrahamClark_60-68]

I do stand corrected @LotsOfTriumphsUsuallySexy on the Roadster battery placement, thanks for that info. I see now that it was vertical right behind the seats. So cleaning up the cobwebs out of my aging brain I now remember it was Jeremy Clarkson’s review of handling of the Roadster that I remember but watching it again it was not the placement but rather the added mass that he pinned as the culprit. So assuming that could be addressed today then, well….
For those that care I found Clarkson’s review here

 

[EspritGuy]

Not sure what you saw but most of us saw Lotus make 2 evs costing over 100k as instructed by their overlords.

Guilty as 'charged.'

 

[EspritGuy]

Im talking about the production and ensuring antics with releasing a vehicle.

If it was Geely I would not have had to wait 3+ years from the time I placed my order till I was in the drivers seat.

Well, you would have to factor in limiting NA to 700 allocations when 3X that amout of deposits were recorded in the first 4 months post launch (source - Lotus USA), then Covid shutdowns, plus materials/supplies/subassembly constraints and mucking up the US emissions certification application (staff fired). All part of Lotus lore.
Patience tested but 'worth the wait' as we were told. I found it to be true. And like the fact it was well-sorted from the early adopters experiences.