Lotus unveils Emeya electric sedan on September 7

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【Summary】Lotus is set to unveil its new electric sedan, the Emeya, on September 7. The sedan will join Lotus' lineup of mainstream electric vehicles, which includes the Eletre mid-size SUV. The Emeya is expected to have a similar shape to the Tesla Model S and will feature styling elements from the Eletre. The sedan will likely be built on the same platform as the Eletre and could potentially rival models like the Audi E-Tron GT and Porsche Taycan.

FutureCar Staff Aug 30, 2023 6:14 AM PT

Lotus unveils Emeya electric sedan on September 7

Lotus is preparing to introduce its first sedan in decades, following the Carlton from the early 1990s. The British performance brand recently unveiled a teaser video showcasing a sleek four-door model named the Emeya. Referred to as the Type 133 during development, the Emeya is set to make its debut on September 7th as a battery-powered sedan. It will join Lotus' expanding lineup of mainstream electric vehicles, which already 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 similar shape to the Tesla Model S and drawing inspiration from the Eletre. Notable features include twin-element daytime running lights at the front and a light strip resembling the Eletre's at the rear. Spy shots of prototypes have also revealed that the Emeya will inherit the Eletre's triangular active shutters and may offer cameras in place of traditional side mirrors.

While Lotus has confirmed plans to sell the Eletre in the United States by 2024, there is no official word on the availability of the Emeya or other upcoming EVs in the American market. However, if the Emeya receives approval for a U.S. launch, it is likely to arrive around the same time as the Eletre. Both models are expected to share the Electric Premium Architecture platform, which enables high-performance capabilities, all-wheel drive, air suspension, and fast charging.

Potential competitors for the Emeya include the Audi E-Tron GT, Porsche Taycan, Lucid Air, and top-tier versions of the Tesla Model S. Lotus' sister brand, Polestar, is also developing a similar sedan known as the Polestar 5, scheduled for release in the coming year.

Lotus Technology, the division responsible for non-sports car models, is overseeing the development of the Emeya, Eletre, and the upcoming compact crossover. Production of these vehicles will take place at a facility in Wuhan, China, operated by Lotus Technology. Looking ahead, Lotus has ambitious plans to introduce the Type 134 compact crossover in 2025 and a new sports car, codenamed the Type 135, in 2026. Notably, all future Lotus models will be electric, as the current Emira sports car marks the end of the brand's gas-powered era.