Confirms Arrival of Plug-in Hybrid Version of Emira in 2027 (Lotus)

Lotus Announces Combination of Technology Division and Cars, Aims for Efficiencies

In a significant move, British automotive manufacturer Lotus has announced that its Technology division and Lotus Cars will be combining forces. The decision is expected to bring technology synergies and improve overall efficiency.

The announcement comes amidst a challenging period for Lotus, as the company posted a net loss of £231.6m for the first half of 2025, an improvement from the previous half-year loss of £424m. Despite the financial struggles, Lotus remains optimistic about the future.

Lotus Cars' flagship model, the Emira sports car, is part of a facelift timed to comply with the Euro 7 emissions regulation change in 2027. However, no further information was provided about potential changes to the Emira V6 model as part of the facelift.

The current four-cylinder Emira Turbo uses a Mercedes-AMG petrol engine, while the Emira V6 uses a Toyota engine. However, due to the new Euro 7 emissions regulations, the Emira V6 cannot be upgraded to meet the new standards, and the planned electric replacement for the Emira was halted due to plummeting sales in the US.

In a positive development, exports to the US resumed in July after the UK government negotiated a tariff cut from 27.5% to 15%. This move is expected to boost sales for the Emira sports car.

To further enhance the Emira, Lotus is planning a plug-in hybrid version of the sports car. This move is part of a closer cooperation between the China-based Lotus Technology division and Lotus Cars (UK). The Emira will also gain the same 'Hyper Hybrid' technology as the Eletre SUV.

CEO Feng Qingfeng, who also led the development of the Emira sports car plug-in hybrid model and an update of the V6 model, expressed ambitious goals for the future of Lotus Cars. Despite the recent job cuts announced on 28 August (around 40% of the workforce, 550 jobs), Feng Qingfeng made no reference to these changes in the announcement.

There is no clear indication yet about potential changes to the Emira V6 model as part of the facelift. However, with the combination of Lotus Technology and Lotus Cars, the company aims to bring efficiencies and technological advancements to its vehicles, including the Emira sports car.

Despite the challenges, Lotus remains committed to its focus on very-high-performance attributes and high-performance engineering services. With the upcoming changes, Lotus is poised to continue its legacy of producing high-performance sports cars.