Lotustoronto
Emira Addict
Agree …. Hybrid super cars are a different beast, but in Emira price point I don’t think it’s great.
Bye bye Toyota V6 AND AMG 4 cylinder engines!
- Thread starter GregD
- Start date
HarvesterUT
Member
- May 13, 2026
- 6
- 5
I'm a bit surprised by this move from Lotus, but I am optimistic for the performance of the refreshed Emira. Based on specs alone, the car should be noticeably faster and more fuel efficient. It wouldn't surprise me if the car sprints to 60 in under 3.5 seconds. Will need to see actual driving reviews and comparisons once they come out.
The 4 speed automatic is certainly an oddity, and I hope it doesn't rob the Emira of too much driving character. I have not seen anything to confirm or deny if the 4LDHT is a DCT or torque converter style. Based on the images available online, its form factor seems that of a DCT.
I've always been more of a fan of the Turbo SE over the V6 with the manual transmission, but I suppose I view the Emira as more about all out speed and convenience rather than pure driver connection like the Elise/Exige. I've got plenty of other manual transmission cars to scratch that itch.
The 4 speed automatic is certainly an oddity, and I hope it doesn't rob the Emira of too much driving character. I have not seen anything to confirm or deny if the 4LDHT is a DCT or torque converter style. Based on the images available online, its form factor seems that of a DCT.
I've always been more of a fan of the Turbo SE over the V6 with the manual transmission, but I suppose I view the Emira as more about all out speed and convenience rather than pure driver connection like the Elise/Exige. I've got plenty of other manual transmission cars to scratch that itch.
zero. how could a company with no money develop a bespoke manual for one low production sportscar? It can't and it won't. This is beyond the technical complexities of mating a manual to that engine drivetrain.
Enjoy the v6 manual with confidence!
- Lotus Emira Pinnacle: V6 Supercharged w/ manual transmission.
- Lotus Emira Contender: AMG 4 Cylinder Turbo
- Lotus Emira Nonsense: Fully electric car
- Lotus Emira Compromise - V6 with hybrid powertrain and 4 speed auto
a stretched version with rear seats might be an interesting people carrier
Thirdgen89gta
Emira Fanatic
I’m bought the v6 manual because it sounds glorious and I wanted the connection a manual gives
If the Emira loses a manual, and I were in the market again then I’m sorry. At the price point the Emira is sitting in it means I’m gonna go straight to the c8 z06.
I could accept a 6-7spd DCT. 4spd just won’t do it for me. Way too widely spaced gearing.
If the Emira loses a manual, and I were in the market again then I’m sorry. At the price point the Emira is sitting in it means I’m gonna go straight to the c8 z06.
I could accept a 6-7spd DCT. 4spd just won’t do it for me. Way too widely spaced gearing.
GetawayDriving
Emira Maniac
Some additional info on the "Horse" website:
horse-powertrain.com
Some interesting bits:
HORSE W30 + 4LDHT spotlight solutions
Explore the powerful HORSE W30 V6 engine and 4LDHT hybrid transmission, designed for high performance and efficiency in hybrid vehicles, available by the end of 2027 and 2028.
horse-powertrain.com
Some interesting bits:
- Says available "end of 2028"?
- Engine weighs 160kg, Transmission weights 199kg
- Horse HQ is in the UK
On second thought, given that the Horse W30 is a belt-less twin-turbo V6 and reasonably short, it makes more sense to mount it longitudinally into the Emira, particularly when it comes to intake and intercooler plumbing and exhaust routing, in such case the 4LDHT will actually be a sensible choice at least physically.
However, the 4LDHT weights 199KG (439lb) wet, plus the weight of the high voltage battery pack. We could be looking at a 1700-1750KG (3750-3850lb) Emira Hybrid. I do hope that they go 48v mild hybrid and pair it with a conventional DCT like a Graziano DL800.
Another reason why I now think the 4LDHT might end up being the transmission choice, is that there really isn’t another suitable application for such transmission at the moment in the Geely family.
In the future, we could see the V6 end up in front engine application with the 4LDHT, specifically in high-end SUV and pickup trucks. It will theoretically perform better than the simple range extender found in the RAM 1500 REV. I am actually very excited for these possible future products.
However, the 4LDHT weights 199KG (439lb) wet, plus the weight of the high voltage battery pack. We could be looking at a 1700-1750KG (3750-3850lb) Emira Hybrid. I do hope that they go 48v mild hybrid and pair it with a conventional DCT like a Graziano DL800.
Another reason why I now think the 4LDHT might end up being the transmission choice, is that there really isn’t another suitable application for such transmission at the moment in the Geely family.
In the future, we could see the V6 end up in front engine application with the 4LDHT, specifically in high-end SUV and pickup trucks. It will theoretically perform better than the simple range extender found in the RAM 1500 REV. I am actually very excited for these possible future products.
geoffbland
Emira Addict
Current Horse Powertrain engines are built in Romania. It could also be built in Sweden where Geely/Autobray have the capability. It could also be China or Portugal where Horse have manufacturing plants. Horse have already built 10 million engines.
These engines are so configurable and with the Geely, Renault, Horse, Autobray company structure being so big and varied, until we see the finished product or get official concrete details everything is a guess, Lotus may pleasantly surprise us, I feel that Lotus UK do for the most part understand what their customers want.
https://news.cision.com/horse-power...10-millionth-engine-at-mioveni-plant,c4316328
https://horse-powertrain.com/about
https://wolfracingcars.com/pikes-peak-2025-experience-performance-and-future-vision/?lang=en
So to provide a bit of context. The transmission can easily simulate and drive like a 8-speed DCT.
As a proof of concept, Nissan already have done this with their CVT transmission, faking having fixed gear ratios.
The exact same thing can be done, in theory with any serial hybrid. The ICE will only send power to the P1 motor generator, and the engine rpm goes up and down as if it has x number of fixed gear ratios depending on the vehicle speed and chosen gear ratio to simulate.
Now, adding the 4 physical gear ratios into the equation, for illustration purposes, let’s assume that the gear ratios correspond to gear 2, 4, 6 and 8 in a conventional transmission.
Because the P3 traction motor is so powerful and can generate up to 450 kw (603bhp/611ps)*, to simulate 1st gear, the system can run in serial hybrid mode (a.k.a. range extending mode), the physical gears will be in neutral in this case. Engine power is only send to the P1 motor generator to generate electricity, the power to the driven wheels are provided by the P3 traction motor.
Going into 2nd gear, the system can switch into parallel hybrid mode, making use of the physical gear ratio.
I said “can switch into”, because optionally even the 2nd gear, despite having a physical gear ratio present, can be simulated using serial hybrid mode as well. With sufficient charge in the battery, that may be preferred in launch control mode. Since time spent in 2nd gear is expected to be fairly short.
Shifting into or rather simulating 3rd gear, the system go back in to serial hybrid mode, physical gear goes back to neutral.
Shifting into 4th gear, the system again switches into parallel hybrid mode, again making use of the physical gear ratio.
The 3DHT version very cleverly puts planetary gearset inside the rotor, a bit like Lucid putting the differential inside the rotor in their design. I can only speculate that the 4DHT is using similar trick with multiple planetary gearset or maybe something like a Ravigneaux planetary gearset.
I am not saying this is what Lotus will do, but only illustrating that it can be done based on the hardware specification.
Further I will add that this can be done rather inexpensively. The lesser 3DHT version can be found in cars like the Lynk 900 starting at around USD$40,000. It is not some exotic or expensive technology. Geely can produce this transmission in China rather cheaply. Will Geely sell the transmission to Lotus cheaply, and how Lotus will price the Emira Hybrid remains to be seen. That is, if this ultimately is the transmission of choice, which I began to believe that it will be.
Despite my familiarity with the technology, I will take the Emira with 3.5 V6 and a 6-speed manual with Komotec final ratio, thank you very much. Actually I personally prefer the lighter Evora over the Emira.
*Given the typically power curve of an electric motor, it’s unlikely that the P3 traction motor can reach max power in the speed range of the simulated “1st gear”, but I don’t think performance will be an issue.
Last edited:
The engine rpm will go up and down as if you are going through gears of a conventional transmission. Just like the Emira 2.0T. The "correct" engine rpm can be calculated based on the vehicle speed or more likely the P3 traction motor rpm.
To illustrate with a simplified example. Let's assume:
- Engine has max rpm of 6000rpm.
- 1st gear will reach 60km/h at max rpm and is simulated
- 2nd gear will reach 120km/h at max rpm and is physical
- 3rd gear will reach 180km/h at max rpm and is simulated
To simulate 1st gear at speed of 30km/h accelerating to 180km/h, shifting at redline.
1st @ 30km/h - 3000rpm
1st @ 40km/h - 4000rpm
1st @ 50km/h - 5000rpm
1st @ 60km/h - 6000rpm
Shift into 2nd Gear (Can use physical gear or simulated)
2nd @ 60km/h - 3000rpm
2nd @ 80km/h - 4000rpm
2nd @ 100km/h - 5000rpm
2nd @ 120km/h - 6000rpm
Shift into 3rd Gear (Simulated)
3rd @ 120km/h - 4000rpm
3rd @ 150km/h - 5000rpm
3rd @ 180km/h - 6000rpm
Why did I start the example above at 30km/h? Well, because there are options as to how to simulate 1st gear from standing still start.
It certainly is possible to simulate engine idling at say 800rpm and rev picks up as vehicle speed goes up. Like pulling away from a traffic stop.
It is also possible to simulate a high rpm clutch dump one often associated with let's say Porsche PDK. For example, launch control mode, engine rev to 5500rpm, let go of the brake, car launches, engine rpm drops as the car start to get going, if there are wheel slip, rpm can even be programmed to fluctuate in order to reflect the wheel spin.
Remember, in this situation, the engine is simply a generator, the propulsion is provided entirely by the P3 traction motor. In that mode, it is an EV with a generator. So, as an engineer I can literally program the engine rpm to be at whatever rpm that I desire.
For max efficiency, maybe it's a constant 3000rpm. For max power, maybe its a constant 5500rpm, just like most CVT or serial hybrid. But for fun and theater, I can program the rpm to go up and down as if we are rolling through gears of a conventional transmission.
With the caveat that, since there are some physical gears. we may simulate some of the gears and make use of the 4 physical gear ratios available when it is appropriate.
From an engineering point of view, a lot can be done with that transmission. From a customer point of view, not sure if that's what I would spend my hard earn money on. I rather have a C8 Z06 than the Emira Hybrid, and I don’t think the Emira Hybrid will be priced below a C8 Z06.
Again, not saying this is what Lotus will end up implementing.
I agree with you 100%. My comments were simply analyzing what can be archived with the hardware based on public information.
You know what's worse than simulated gear, is for them to not implement that at all, and you get the 2026 F1 Super Clipping, CVT like constant rpm buzzing sound.
Porsche decided to go pure EV with the Boxster/Cayman, only now doing a U-Turn to integrate ICE back into that EV platform. It remains to be seen how compromised the resulting product will be.
I think it's a shame and a missed opportunity that Lotus cannot capitalize on that market segment, which Porsche effectively abandoned at one point.
Let me pose this question to you and the forum. If Lotus builds an Emira with the Twin-Turbo V6 and a 6-Speed Manual, making let's say 520hp. How will you price that car, and how many do you think they will sell?
Tremec developed a 6-speed manual that can fit the C8 Corvette, that transmission for sure can be adapted for the Emira.
Thirdgen89gta
Emira Fanatic
SOLD! Shut up and take my money!
***lol. Originally auto-co-wrecked changed Money to Kidney. Also appropriate!
Thirdgen89gta
Emira Fanatic
I do think a TT v6 with dct will have problems if it occupies the same price range as c8z/zr1 or used Maserati MC20s. You also have used McLarens in that range as well.
It would be a death knell for the Emira. Would not sell.
It would be a death knell for the Emira. Would not sell.
I think they will have to price it close to the C8 Corvette Grand Sport. Which is probably difficult for Lotus to do. So, agreeing with you, death spiral. The V8 may face similar challenge with the SF90/849, Temerario, Valhalla and other non-hybrid supercar.
If I am the product manager at Lotus, I would call Tremec, and see what they can offer in terms of a manual transmission. Factoring in the organic media exposure generated by narratives such as "Lotus is saving the manual", and "This was a transmission that GM didn't want, and now it's in a Lotus". I think there is a business case for doing that. The manual doesn't have to be homologated and offered globally, just in select key markets. But definitely fix all the small glitches with the car and make it a polished product.
If they use the 4LDHT instead of a DCT, the stated output is probably peak output, it remains to be seen how it can perform on the track in a HPDE type of setting. A 3800lb Emira with just 300hp left, say just 10 minutes into the session, would probably get trashed by the media. The brand needs all the good press that it can get.
It sounds like the 536HP is the V6 alone, in the 4LDHT, the P1 motor is ~300 kW, P3 motor is ~400kW, so this thing will have huge bursts of power as long as the battery lasts. You'd need some decent battery capacity to hit those numbers, though. Ferrari/McLaren get like 100kW from a tiny 4.5kWh battery in the Artura and 296. I imagine that thing is close to peak battery power, so if we want a 700kW brief burst, we'd need quite a bit more capacity.
I'm curious to see what the official release eventually discloses. I love my V6/6MT car. I'd like it to have more power, but also less weight, and reliability, which I know is impossible.
I'm curious to see what the official release eventually discloses. I love my V6/6MT car. I'd like it to have more power, but also less weight, and reliability, which I know is impossible.
This was rumored before (to various degrees) and was part of what solidified my purchase of a V-6 w/ manual now.
There are PLENTY of sports cars with more power on the market. Power is easy to attain nowadays. But it’s not why I bought the Emira nor what makes it special IMO.
There are PLENTY of sports cars with more power on the market. Power is easy to attain nowadays. But it’s not why I bought the Emira nor what makes it special IMO.
I appreciate your analysis and technical thought about how they can manipulate things to make the car feel like it's shifting- engineering emotion into an essentially emotionless powertrain.
I think a 520 hp Emira is $165-170k starting price. And I think it loses at that price, unless it has 3 pedals. As much as I love the Emira's balance and style, for some reason, the Z06 and used MC20s just seem like more "serious" cars at that price point.
Oddly, I think the car would have to grow in size by 10-15% to compete against 911s, Z06s, and the ilk.
Create an account or login to comment
Join now to leave a comment enjoy browsing the site ad-free!
Create account
Create an account on our community. It's easy!
Log in
Already have an account? Log in here.
Similar threads
- Article
Supporting Vendors
View all →
