MY2027 Connectivity Features Removals

[EmiraDude]

Wireless CarPlay works 99% of the time in my 2024 FE. I really enjoyed the fact that I don't need to plug in anything.

Same here, claiming it "barely works" is a stretch and probably requires a visit to the dealer

 

[Gears]

Hello all!

First time poster but have been following for a long time. Almost got an FE in 2024 but found my dream V12 Vantage instead. Now about to take delivery of a new ‘27 V6 SE in October after putting in my order in Feb 26, but missed the 2026 order book deadline. I recently saw some concerning posts about loss of certain connectivity functions in the USA due to the Connected Vehicles Security act of 2026 and wanted to confirm these fears. I just reach out to my sales rep in Dallas yesterday who reached out to their US lotus rep and got this reply back today. I’m definitely bummed about loss of functionality as I’m getting this car to replace my daily and actually find that stuff useful. Thankfully a wireless dongle adapter should likely be able to get around the wireless CarPlay issue and bluetooth phone function doesn’t seem to be effected as some posts referred to. Just disappointing these changes weren’t relayed from lotus to the USA market or dealers.

Bluetooth is also gone. Why else would Android Auto be removed and not CarPlay? Wired Android Auto still requires Bluetooth to work, unlike CarPlay.

 

[Emira28]

My MY23 wireless CarPlay has also been 99% fault free. Sometimes doesn’t auto connect on cold start but otherwise it’s behaved well. For reference I’ve never used wired and driven long 3-4 hour trips without any notable battery drain issue. It’s not a deciding factor for an Emira perhaps, but now that I have it, I certainly wouldn’t want to lose it or be without it.

 

[CarGuy11]

When do we expect 2027s to hit the USA so we can verify?

 

[Benjiprice]

When do we expect 2027s to hit the USA so we can verify?

Probably December/January. My car is scheduled for production in November but who knows, they can make it earlier or later

 

[drdarsh]

Bluetooth is also gone. Why else would Android Auto be removed and not CarPlay? Wired Android Auto still requires Bluetooth to work, unlike CarPlay.

It’s a good question, but there was no mention of Bluetooth being removed in the email from the US rep to my sales guy. I would like to think Bluetooth is still functional, but if not, I’m thinking wireless phones calls are still possible with CarPlay? Still, it’s very unfortunate for Android uses.

 

[drdarsh]

When do we expect 2027s to hit the USA so we can verify?

I was told a few times production started 7/1 and I think a few people around here confirmed that with the factory tours. I’m told I’m in the first batch at my dealer (since I missed the 2026 deadline by weeks and now have to deal with connectivity features losses), and that they expect those deliveries in October.

 

[Gears]

It’s a good question, but there was no mention of Bluetooth being removed in the email from the US rep to my sales guy. I would like to think Bluetooth is still functional, but if not, I’m thinking wireless phones calls are still possible with CarPlay? Still, it’s very unfortunate for Android uses.

Yeah wireless calling and music will work fine with wired CarPlay. Indeed, Android users are screwed.

I'm fairly confident about the Bluetooth simply because it is definitely part of the ban on "connected cars", unless Lotus got some exception. If they did, why would Android Auto specifically be removed?

Either way doesn't affect me, but I feel for any US Android users!

 

[407guy]

If they did, why would Android Auto specifically be removed?

While I'm not an Android user, it's my understanding that even if Android is wired, it still needs bluetooth connectivity. Hence, no bluetooth in 2027s so no Android Auto.

 

[Beachbum]

Makes you wonder if Google will update Android Auto, to no longer use BT, otherwise, Android as an OS will lose significant market share.

 

[Foosh]

My MY23 wireless CarPlay has also been 99% fault free. Sometimes doesn’t auto connect on cold start but otherwise it’s behaved well. For reference I’ve never used wired and driven long 3-4 hour trips without any notable battery drain issue. It’s not a deciding factor for an Emira perhaps, but now that I have it, I certainly wouldn’t want to lose it or be without it.

Battery drain depends upon what you're running in CarPlay. If I'm navigating unplugged from points A to B using Waze or Google Maps, my iPhone 16 battery is dead in 3-4 hours. If I'm only playing music, there isn't much data processing going on, meaning minimal battery consumption.

I have noticed that running Waze without a destination entered, which still allows you to receive warnings, consumes much less power.

What doesn't make sense to me is why Lotus gave us wireless Android Auto/CarPlay, but no wireless charger in the phone pad. A Qi wireless charger is very cheap. Even cheap vehicles like Hyundai and Kias have it these days.

 

[Gears]

Battery drain depends upon what you're running in CarPlay. If you're navigating from points A to B using Waze or Google Maps, my iPhone 16 battery is dead in 3-4 hours. If you're only playing music, there isn't much data processing going on, meaning minimal battery consumption.

I have noticed that running Waze without a destination entered, which still allows you to receive warnings, that consumes much less power.

Also helps to leave it running in the background but returning to the Emira's home menu. The active screen sharing is what drains a lot of energy as well.

 

[Foxy87]

Hmm no, never experienced excessive battery drain while using google maps trough carplay. Screen is black/switched off so that would be the main battery consumption

 

[Foosh]

Regardless, plugging in is no big deal.

 

[Beachbum]

Must admit to thinking Lotus though process for where to place the USB data ports to be a tad nonsensical.
If the tray is at the front of the cabin, why put BOTH data ports in the arm rest?
My phone is an Android and gets extremely hot when in use, so I have now put it on a cradle in front of the centre left vent. However I also want to connect it to a data port, to use Wired AA and to charge the phone. Getting a cable from the arm rest, to the front of the cabin is not a neat and tidy solution.

 

[Whitey]

I just use the armrest usb port with a very short cable to my phone which I normally keep in the cup holders, as I don’t drink and drive. Arm rest will still close with the cable there.

 

[Gears]

Must admit to thinking Lotus though process for where to place the USB data ports to be a tad nonsensical.
If the tray is at the front of the cabin, why put BOTH data ports in the arm rest?
My phone is an Android and gets extremely hot when in use, so I have now put it on a cradle in front of the centre left vent. However I also want to connect it to a data port, to use Wired AA and to charge the phone. Getting a cable from the arm rest, to the front of the cabin is not a neat and tidy solution.

I use a 90° angle USB C from the armrest and strap it to the centre console on the passenger side via tiny tie-wrap attached to the mesh of the exposed gearshifter. Keeps it neatly out the way.

I am considering buying a cradle so I can keep the phone cooled for long distance trips, but for my commute its fine.

 

[Beachbum]

I use a 90° angle USB C from the armrest and strap it to the centre console on the passenger side via tiny tie-wrap attached to the mesh of the exposed gearshifter. Keeps it neatly out the way.

I am considering buying a cradle so I can keep the phone cooled for long distance trips, but for my commute its fine.

Pretty much my plan, but using a longer cable to the cradle attached to the vent. Although trying to find a 2-3m flat USB cable is proving difficult, let a lone one with a 90 degree angled plug on one end. Closest I have got, is one of the magnetic ones, but at £25, sod that.
Think I might just go for a standard 3.2 cable, with a right angle adapter.

 

[geoffbland]

Not sure this helps but you can get USB splitters that also work with data transfer - all typically work for splitting power but some split with data too. So you aren't restricted to just a single USB port anywhere in the car.

Just for completeness a list of all USB ports in the car:

In centre console arm rest - USB A - Power and Data
In centre console arm rest - USB C - Power and Data
Centre console storage tray - USB A - Power only
Side of rear view mirror mount - USB A - Power only

All - 5v and max. 2.5A.

 

[lawfulspeed]

But for those that use Android. Android Auto is also my music/entertainment, directions and tracking of police on a road trip. That last feature has saved me countless times driving without a radar detector. Without a nav feature or in car navigation this is 90% deal breaker. Just another reason to hold onto my '25.

Even with rental cars I go back inside if it doesn't have Android Auto I get another model/type.

I'm a new user of Android Auto. How do you track police?