Eduard Huma
Lotus positions the Emeya as a Hyper-GT, though after time on the road, that label feels open to debate. The car clearly borrows visual cues from the Lotus Evija, and in motion, it builds a stronger case for itself than early photos suggest. What initially looks like another sleek electric executive liftback changes character once driven properly; reactions from people around it help reinforce that shift too, with passersby offering thumbs up and compliments, something the writer admits was unexpected for an EV.
Performance numbers certainly do part of the convincing. The 905 bhp models are said to have a 0-62 mph time of less than three seconds whereas the 603 bhp one takes 4.15 seconds to run the same distance. Speed continues to accelerate until 155 mph, or 159 in the stronger model, and every forceful press of the accelerator seemingly requires some sort of pre-mental training before the seatback takes over. Lotus makes the Emeya go head-on with its competitors like the Porsche Taycan, the Tesla Model S, and the Lucid Air, which is understandable when considering the numbers.
Braking needs adjustment. There are three regeneration levels, selected through the left split paddle, yet none of them fully stops the car. The strongest settings remain aggressive enough to upset passengers if pedal pressure is not reduced carefully. Most daily driving apparently worked best between level one and no regen at all, with level two used only occasionally.
Inside the cabin, the surroundings provide a luxury feel as well. Lotus wrapped the interior with Nappa leather, charcoal leather on the steering wheel, glossy carbon fiber, and dark gunmetal accents.
Along with luxury, there is also a great number of features that are included in the cabin that help to create a sense of coziness, including ventilated, heated, and massaging seats. The seat bolsters also automatically tighten when changing the Tour setup to the Sport by pressing the right-hand split paddle. Simultaneously, the height of the car is lowered, which offers increased grip and stance at high speeds.
With regard to the battery, it has a capacity of 102kWh and usable capacity of 98.9kWh which is used by both motors: one in the front and the other in the rear. The battery also reaches 80 percent of its capacity within only 14 minutes, and it charges up to 420kWh. In addition, the company quotes 10 minutes of charging on a 350kWh charger. This implies that the horsepower of the 603 model has a range of 360-379 miles.
The Emeya is Lotus’s second electric model after the Lotus Eletre. It may not outsell that SUV, but it leaves a clear impression: practical, fast, unusually refined, and difficult to dismiss as just another electric saloon.
Lotus Emeya – Photo Gallery
