After the former sports car brand Lotus, in the new hands of Geely, had already thrown overboard the long-cherished principles of weight saving and increased driving dynamics with the battery-electric SUV model Eletre and said goodbye to the combustion engine, it is now presenting a luxurious GT model with the likewise electric Emeya . It should be quite close to the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT models, but undercut them in price.
Advertisement
Instead of at a trade fair, the GT was presented in a parking garage in New York. The fact that this took place during the core time of the IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich can actually only be understood as a rejection of the understanding of the car as a means of transport. Lotus consciously wants to distance itself from such purposeful ideas and sees itself in the luxury lifestyle under brands such as Porsche, BMW, Audi and Aston Martin. However, the brand’s tradition, which is over three quarters of a century old, only helps to a limited extent. After all, it is a realignment in several respects.
Two-speed gearbox
As with Porsche and Audi, the GT model is all-wheel drive and enables torque vectoring, i.e. steering assistance through the driving forces. The electric motor on the front axle is used as needed and runs idle on the motorway, for example. On the rear axle, between the drive and the wheels, there is a two-stage gearbox that switches to a longer gear ratio at speeds above 100 km/h. The Emeya also has this in common with the German GTs. In addition, there is an adaptive air suspension to support grip, comfort and aerodynamic efficiency. The aerodynamics are also improved adaptively with a front grille that can be adjusted in cross-section, an active rear diffuser and an automatically acting rear spoiler. The latter alone should be able to generate up to 215 kg of downforce if necessary.
Image 1 of 15
Lotus is introducing a battery-electric GT in the format of a Porsche Taycan or Audi e-tron GT. Powered by up to 675 kW and 985 Nm, it offers all-wheel drive with torque vectoring. The latter suggests a very manageable driving experience.
(Image: lotus)
With an output of up to 675 kW, the car, which probably weighs almost two tons, should reach 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds, and the top speed is given as 256 km/h. The drive has 985 Nm of torque. With the appropriately equipped infrastructure, the maximum charging capacity should reach 270 kW under optimal conditions, and the range should increase by at best 150 kilometers in five minutes. The 102 kWh battery pack should be able to bring its SOC from ten to 80 percent within just under 20 minutes.
Exterior mirrors available upon request
Yarn made from recycled fibers, but also Alcantara, visible carbon parts, nappa leather and aluminum characterize the interior. The glass roof cannot be opened, but can be darkened electrochemically. A 55-inch augmented reality head-up display (HUD) is intended to provide the driver with important details of the external environment. According to Lotus, this is “industry-leading.” Screens in the doors show the images from the side cameras. If desired, Lotus can also install conventional exterior mirrors instead.
The SUV Lotus Eletre and the GT Lotus Emeya, whose sale is announced in the second half of next year, are to be followed by further models. A base price of under 100,000 euros for the Emeya is expected.
(fpi)
To the home page
#Electric #car #luxury #segment #Lotus #Emeya
