Lotus to unveil Emeya electric sedan on September 7

author: FutureCar Staff    

Lotus is set to introduce its first sedan in decades, following the Carlton from the early 1990s. The British performance brand recently unveiled a teaser video showcasing the sleek four-door model, which will be called the Emeya. The sedan, powered by batteries, is scheduled to make its debut on September 7. It will join Lotus' growing lineup of mainstream electric vehicles, which includes the Eletre mid-size SUV and a compact crossover known as the Type 134.

The teaser video provides a glimpse of the Emeya's design, featuring a shape reminiscent of the Tesla Model S and borrowing styling cues from the Eletre. Notable features include twin-element daytime running lights at the front and a light strip at the rear, similar to the Eletre. Spy shots of prototypes also reveal that the Emeya will incorporate the Eletre's triangular active shutters and may offer cameras in place of traditional side mirrors, although this option might not be available in the U.S.

While Lotus has confirmed the availability of the Eletre in the U.S. in 2024, there is no official word on whether the Emeya will be launched in the American market. If it receives approval for a U.S. launch, it is likely to arrive in 2024. The Emeya is expected to share the Electric Premium Architecture platform with the Eletre, offering similar attributes such as dual-motor all-wheel drive, air suspension, and fast-charging capabilities.

Potential competitors for the Emeya include the Audi E-Tron GT, Porsche Taycan, Lucid Air, and high-end versions of the Tesla Model S. Lotus' sister brand, Polestar, is also developing a similar model called the Polestar 5, set to be launched next year. Lotus Technology, the division responsible for non-sports car models, is overseeing the development of the Emeya, Eletre, and upcoming compact crossover. Production of these vehicles will take place at a plant in Wuhan, China.

In addition to the Emeya, Lotus has plans to introduce the Type 134 compact crossover around 2025 and a new sports car known as the Type 135 in 2026. All future Lotus models will be electric vehicles, as the brand has confirmed that the current Emira sports car will be the last to feature a gasoline engine.

FutureCar Staff