LOTUS EMEYA SALOON 675kW 900 Sport 102kWh 4dr Auto

The battery-powered Emeya is a luxurious Lotus four-door GT Tourer built to take on premium Teutonic rivals. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

The Emeya is another different kind of luxury Lotus EV, a Taycan-style four-door luxury GT with dramatic pace and a rather unique feel, inside and out. Whether Colin Chapman would have liked it is debatable but you might.

Background

Lotus is a different brand these days. And so are the cars it makes. There's still a combustion Emira sports car. And there might in future be a replacement Elise roadster. But only if the company's new generation of huge, Chinese-built luxury electric vehicles sell - and sell well. The 'Electric Premium Architecture' that supports these has already yielded us one model, these days Lotus's bestseller, the Eletre SUV. Now here's another, the Emeya. This is a four-door GT, generally pitched from just over the six-figure price point and targeted at well-established luxury GT EVs like Porsche's Taycan, the Audi e-tron GT and the Tesla Model S. It's certainly an international product, designed in Coventry, dynamically developed in Frankfurt and screwed together in Wuhan. But is it recognisably a Lotus? It's take a look.

Engines and Tech Spec

The Emeya may be prodigiously heavy but it's also extremely fast. All versions use a dual motor powertrain linked to a 2-speed gearbox assembly on the back axle and a big 102kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery pack. With the Emeya and Emeya S models, that means 603bhp and a decent 379 mile range with the standard model - or 336 miles with the S. Rest to 62mph with these two mainstream variants is just 4.2s away once you engage launch control. If that's somehow not enough, there's the top Emeya R, which adds an extra motor on the back axle to up output to a frankly manic 905bhp; which means a Ferrari-slaying 0-62mph time of just 2.8s. Top speed rises fractionally over the S - to 156mph. And range falls to 270 miles. Given a kerb weight comparable to three Series 1 Elises, you might think all that power would be needed if the Emeya is to fulfil its Taycan Turbo ambitions. But it's been signed off at the Nurburgring Nordschliefe by the same people who brought you the Emira sports car (step forward Gavan Kershaw and team), who know that if the Emeya doesn't sell, there won't be an Emira replacement. So compared to a Taycan, steering and ride get a more involving tune, the latter an all-round multi-link suspension dual-chamber air-sprung setup. For a supple ride, you'll need to keep the car in its default 'Tour' drive mode. Switching to 'Track' unsettles things considerably. The top R version adds rear-wheel steering and active anti-roll bars, neither of which you might feel are absolutely necessary. There's talk of a base rear wheel-driven version appearing later in the production run. Across the line-up, active aero bodywork boosts downforce when you need it - and drive range when you don't. Surprisingly, there's no provided EV drive sound. Lotus, it seems, doesn't believe in this kind of thing and you can imagine that Colin Chapman wouldn't have had much time for it either.

Design and Build

Underneath the Emeya's elegant, swept-back German design is most of the hardware used by the brand's Eletre SUV, though Lotus has had to adapt this quite a bit to fit with this GT model's lower-slung stance. The Geely EPA platform is the same, but the battery cells that sit on top of it have been repackaged, the designers making the casing 20mm thinner and relocating the cooling plates to the sides, rather than underneath. Some might find the exterior looks divisive; the slanting insectoid-style front end; the kamm-style tail with its full-width light bar. But it makes a statement, which is what a car in this segment needs to do. Wheel options range from 20 to 21-inches. Your perception inside at the wheel will depend on whether you've previously tried an Eletre, with which this car shares much of its cabin design. If you haven't, then the spacious luxury on offer here will come as a very pleasant surprise. You'd be happy switching to it from a Taycan or an EQS. The transmission selector and belt line are high-set, to give you the feeling of being embedded in the car - you're actually 70mm nearer the ground than in an Eletre. As usual in this era, a huge central touchscreen dominates - in this case 15.1-inches in size. Unfortunately, all the instrument cluster information must be compressed into a narrow letterbox-shaped display. But there's proper luxury here. The real Alcantara trim and carbon fibre switchgear is classy, there's a lovely mix of woven fabrics and leather, the seats are brilliant and build quality from the Wuhan factory seems to be as good as the Teutonic competition. Surprisingly, the Emeya has a lengthier wheelbase than the Eletre (by 60mm), which means excellent rear seat space; there's a choice of two or three-seat rear lay-outs. A low centre tunnel makes the latter feasible. The boot isn't as large as the 5,139mm body length leads you to expect, rated at 509-litres. It would be bigger were it not for the fact that the top R model's back axle motor and 2-speed gearbox assembly must be accommodated.

Market and Model

Prices are very similar to those of the Eletre SUV. They start at £89,500 for the base Emeya model, but you'll probably want to stretch at least to the mid-level Emeta S, which prices from around £102,000. The top Eletre R costs around £130,000. With both the two top variants, you'll be offered the optional 'Lotus Dynamic Handling Pack' for a sharper driving feel. This includes intelligent anti-roll control and active rear-wheel steering. There's also an 'Active Aero Pack'. Standard equipment includes 20-inch wheels, with a range of 21-inch rims additionally available. There's an optional Carbon pack for the exterior. For inside, there's a choice of either four or five-seat configurations with a choice of nappa or vegan leather upholstery. With the five-seat set-up, you can specify an optional 'Comfort Seat Pack', which includes massaging rear seats and for the front seats includes ventilation, heating, a 2-way cushion extension, 2-way head rests and 4-way side bolsters. You're going to want the 'Intelligent Glass Roof'. And the 'Touring Pack' includes soft-close doors, a hands-free tailgate, illuminated side sills and configurable ambient lighting. You can also add side cameras, a 'Parking Pack' and a tow bar. If you want autonomous driving aids, you'll be offered the 'Highway Assist Pack'.

Cost of Ownership

Lotus says the Emeya can charge from 10 to 80% in 14 minutes, but that's based on use of a 400kW charger and at the time of this car's launch, there weren't actually any of those yet in the UK. Quick charging is a result of an advanced cell-to-pack battery structure which Lotus claims allows 20% more cells to fit in the same space than with a standard modular architecture. The Emeya has a newer cooling system then the Eletre and can charge its 112kWh battery (102kWh usable) at a 331kW average speed. Helping with long journey DC charging is a clever navigation system that will chain together charging stations, re-routing if a location becomes occupied. You might still think though, that a 100-litre fuel tank might be more convenient - and we wouldn't disagree. The charging port has been placed on the front wing, which means electricity coming through to the car will be as close as possible to where it's needed, which cuts down on unnecessary internal cabling and the extra weight that would bring. Forget overnight home charges though - from a typical 7.4kW garage wallbox anyway, which needs around 17 hours for a full charge. A five year warranty is standard in the UK. Lotus offers roadside assistance across Europe for five years after vehicle purchase.

Summary

If this car wasn't badged as a 'Lotus', it would be so much easier to approach it without preconceptions. But it is and we must. Vast numbers of those who love the brand are going to be put off by the fact that this GT is electric and weighs two and a half tonnes. But, by and large, they're not the people the Emeya is targeted at. To survive, Lotus needs a new audience, people who want the kind of practical, luxurious, well assembled and technologically current model that Lotus as it was could never conceivably have built on its own. Like its Eletre SUV showroom stablemate, the Emeya provides just that. As some writers have observed, the design ethos is more spa break than Spa-Francorchamps, but at the same time, there are also hints here of the kind of handling character that most Teutonic rivals just don't have. We'd like to see a lighter, more affordable single motor rear-driven version later in the production run. By which point Lotus will probably be a brand perceived quite differently. Hopefully though, its products will still be just that little bit uniquely 'Lotus'. As this one is.

Body Glass

Front laminated windscreen with PVB (poly vinyl butyral) layer within the glass to reduce NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness)

Heated rear windscreen

Heated washer jets

Laminated glass for front side windows

One touch windows with anti-pinch

Privacy glass for rear door windows

Privacy glass for rear windscreen and rear side windows

Rain sensing windscreen wipers

Tinted (green glass) front windscreen

Brakes

Adjustable regenerative braking

Aluminium fixed calipers in front

Aluminium floating calipers in rear

Auto hold function

Autonomous emergency braking system (AEB)

Braking override system

Electronic brake assist (EBA)

Electronic parking brake

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Hill decent control

Hill start assist

Lotus 6 piston aluminium fixed caliper

Lotus intelligent dynamic control

Torque vectoring brake

Traction control system (TCS)

Chassis/Suspension

Active air suspension with 2-chamber air springs

Active rear wheel steering

Multi-link front and rear suspension

Communication

5G telematics

Bluetooth

Lotus App (core package)

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

Wireless internet hotspot

Wireless phone charger with NFC

Driver Aids

B-call (Breakdown call)

Car owner service

Closing / stopping of tailgate using internal switch

Keyless entry and exit

Location based services

Opening / stopping of tailgate using outer switch

Power tailgate open/close with hands free function (by kicking motion)

Pre-delivery tracking

RNC (Road Noise Cancellation)

Service store and embedded apps

Tailgate fuctions - Manual open (override), opening height memory, emergency unlock (interior), anti-pinch and any position stop

Driver Convenience

Adaptive cruise control

Blind spot detection

Continuous damping control

Driver monitoring system

Driving modes - (Range, Tour, Sport, Track with launch mode, Individual)

Electric power steering

Front cross traffic assist

Front park assist

Lane keeping aid

Rear collision warning

Rear cross traffic assist

Rear park assist

Steering mode adjustment - Standard/Sport

Steering wheel hands off detection

Traffic sign information

Visual park assist

Driver Information

12.6" digital driver display

5.1" Head up display

e-Call (emergency call)

Electrical brake pad wear indicator

Exterior temperature indicator

Interior and exterior air quality displayed in central screen

Lotus Hyper OS with OTA updates

Lotus member centre

Remote information sharing and remote start function

Satellite Navigation

Vehicle information - Electrical propulsion indication, power peformance, vehicle speed and range

Vehicle information - Trip distance & statistics, average speed & electricity consumption and elapsed driving time

Washer fluid indicator in HMI

Driving Mirrors

Auto dimming frameless rear view mirror

Entertainment

12.6" digital passenger display

15.1" OLED full HD centre console screen

8" Rear TFT screen for 5-seat layout

FM/DAB+ radio

Exterior Body Features

Electrically operated charge port cover

Frameless Doors

Front and rear flush door handles

Illuminated door handles

Lotus active aero - front grill, rear boot spoiler

Model and version branding on rear

Rear boot

Rear reflectors

Rear side wing doors

Version branding on lower front doors

Exterior Lights

32 Matrix LED headlights

Adaptive front lighting system

ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) Function

Automatic headlight activation via dusk sensor

Automatic height adjustment of headlights

Front and rear approach lights

LED 3rd brake light

LED centre high mounted stop light

LED daytime running lights

LED high beam

LED number plate light

LED rear fog lights

LED rear side lights

LED reverse light

LED turning indicators

Puddle lights

Rear LED light strip

Rear lights rapid flashing on emergency braking

See me home light

Welcome and goodbye sequences

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

2nd row B pillar air vents

2nd row electrically adjustable air vents on rear of centre console

4 zone automatic climate control

Air quality system

Automatic air recirculate

Electrically adjustable front row air vents

Heat pump

PM2.5 filter

Vehicle CO2 concentration monitoring

Interior Features

12V socket in centre consoler storage and boot

2 cup holders in centre console

2 x USB Type-C sockets for fast charging & data transfer in row 1

2 x USB Type-C sockets for fast charging in row 2

4 way electric adjustable steering column with memory

Floor pivoted electronic accelerator pedal

Front centre console armrest

Gear selector in centre console

Hard parcel shelf

Heated multi function steering wheel

Illuminated metal side sills (Treadplates)

Lockable glove box

Rear grab handles

Second row hanging hook

Side hooks in boot

Sports pedals

Under boot floor storage

Interior Lights

Configurable ambient lighting (Colour and brightness adjustable with individual settings)

Touch sensitive light switch

Packs

Interior carbon package - Emeya

Lotus dynamic handling pack - Emeya

Parking pack - Emeya

Safety

3 point height adjustable front seatbelts

3 point rear seatbelts x 3

Active rollover protection

Anti roll over program

Curtain Airbag

Door open warning

Driver and passenger pretensioner with adaptive load limiter

Driver far side airbag

Electrically operated child locks

Escape switch in boot

Front and rear seatbelt reminder

Front motorised pretensioner retractor

Front side airbags

Full size driver and passenger airbags

Life Detection and Care (LDC)

Passenger airbag deactivate switch

Pedestrian protection active bonnet

Rear outer seatbelts with single load limiter and stop function & Centre standard safety belt for 2nd row middle seat

Safety shield

Safety vests

Single door opening (one touch driver unlock / 2 touch all doors unlock) - Configurable in HMI

TPMS (Tyre pressure monitoring system) with digital display

Warning triangle

Seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

4 way power lumbar support for front seats

40/20/40 split folding rear seat

8 way power adjustable front seats

Electric adjustment of rear seat angle

Heated front seats

Integrated front headrests

ISOFIX on outer rear seats

Memory front seats and driver seat greeting function

Rear centre foldable armrest with 2 cupholders

Seat track position sensor

Single front passenger seat

Security

Battery alarm

Card key with NFC function

Central locking with lock button on centre console

Deadlocks

Electric steering column lock

Hardware for stolen vehicle tracker

Keyless Go

Lock/unlock and window close functions using vehicle key

Locking wheel bolts

Lotus pebble key

Thatcham category 1 alarm

Unlock/start via phone with NFC function (BLE+UWB+NFC)

Towing

Front tow hook

Vanity Mirrors

Driver and passenger vanity mirror and light

Vehicle Charging

Type 2 mode 3 charging cable

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit including compressor and sealant

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Battery Capacity in kWh: 102

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 330

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 22

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 15

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 10-80

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 420

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: N

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

Charging Port Location: Left Side Rear

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 420

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 125000

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Usable Battery Capacity: 98.9

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 22.4

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 24.9

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH: 25.1

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL: 22.4

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 2.5

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 2.8

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH: 2.5

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL: 2.8

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - City: 481

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 435

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 485

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City: 299

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 270

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 301

Emissions - ICE

CO: N

CO2 (g/km): 0

HC: N

HC+NOx: N

Noise Level dB(A): N

NOx: N

Particles: N

Standard Emissions: N

Engine and Drive Train

Camshaft: N

Catalytic Convertor: N

CC: 1

Compression Ratio: N

Cylinder Layout: N

Cylinders: N

Cylinders - Bore (mm): N

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): N

Engine Code: N

Engine Layout: N

Fuel Delivery: N

Gears: 2 SPEED

Number of Valves: N

Transmission: AUTO

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Combined (mpg): N

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: N

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Urban (mpg): N

General

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Badge Engine CC: 0.0

Badge Power: 918

Based On ID: N

Coin Description: 675kW 102kWh

Coin Series: Sport

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Generation Mark: 1

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 50E

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 5

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Service Interval Mileage: 20000

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 100000

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 120000

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 5

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Performance

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

0 to 62 mph (secs): 2.8

Engine Power - BHP: 918

Engine Power - KW: 675

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 726

Engine Torque - MKG: 100.4

Engine Torque - NM: 985

Top Speed: 159

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: N/A

Tyres

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Tyre Size Front: 265/40 R21

Tyre Size Rear: 305/35 R21

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Style: N

Wheel Type: 21" ALLOY

Vehicle Dimensions

Height: 1459

Length: 5139

Wheelbase: 3069

Width: 2005

Width (including mirrors): 2241

Weight and Capacities

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Gross Vehicle Weight: 3100

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1388

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 509

Max. Loading Weight: 450

Minimum Kerbweight: 2650

No. of Seats: 5

Brakes

Carbon ceramic brake discs - 420mm front and 410mm rear

Lotus 10 piston cabon ceramic brake calipers in yellow colour

Lotus 6 piston calipers in black colour

Lotus 6 piston calipers in green colour

Driver Aids

Homelink

Driving Mirrors

Electric fold side cameras with E-mirror display, turn indicator, viewpoint/brightness setting, auto low viewpoint, blind spot display, deforst/demist

Embellishment Trims

Carbon fiber interior deco panels

Wood interior deco panels

Entertainment

KEF reference audio (2160W 23 speakers with 3D surround featuring KEF Uni-Q driver array, KEF Uni-core subwoofer and Dolby Atmos)

Exterior Body Features

Additional Metallic paint

Carbon fibre roof

Gloss black aluminium roof

Metallic paint

Pearlescent paint

Satin chrome rear Lotus lettering

Solid paint

Special pearlescent paint

Yellow and black Lotus badges

Interior Features

Additional special nappa leather upholstery

Charcoal alcantara with carbon fibre bezel and dark gunmetal accents steering wheel

Charcoal leather with dark gunmetal accents steering wheel

Dark grey alcantara with carbon fibre bezel and dark gunmetal accents steering wheel

Dark grey leather wih dark gunmetal accents steering wheel

Jasper leather upholstery

Jasper with lotuswear performance fabric uplostery

Nappa leather upholstery

Special Nappa leather upholstery

Packs

Carbon package - Emeya

Comfort seat package - Emeya

Extended carbon package - Emeya

Extended interior carbon pack - Emeya

Highway assist pack with LiDAR - Emeya

Lotus active aero pack - Emeya

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Stellar black

Metallic - Zenith white

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Akoya white

Pearl - Boreal grey

Pearl - Fireglow orange

Pearl - Solar yellow

Paint - Solid

Solid - Kaimu grey

Safety

Black seatbelts

Dark grey seatbelts

Dark tri colour seatbelts

Light grey seatbelts

Towing

Electric towbar

Trim - Cloth

Jasper with lotuswear performance fabric - Black

Quartz with lotuswear performance fabric - Light grey

Trim - Leather

Additional nappa leather - Gold

Additional special nappa leather - Carnelian

Additional special nappa leather - Kyanite

Jasper leather - Black

Nappa leather - Magnetite grey

Wheels

21" 265/40 front and 305/35 rear Pirelli P ZERO performance tyres

22" 265/35 front and 305/30 rear Michelin pilot sport EV tyres

Wheels - Alloy

21" 10 spoke grey diamond turned alloy wheels

21" 5 spoke gloss black alloy wheels

21" 5 spoke grey and black diamond turned alloy wheels

21" 5 spoke silver and black diamond turned alloy wheels

21"10 spoke silver diamond turned alloy wheels

22" 5 spoke gloss black with carbon fibre alloy wheels

22"10 spoke gloss black alloy wheels

22"10 spoke grey diamond turned alloy wheels

22"5 spoke grey and gloss black with carbon fibre alloy wheels