Meet The Lotus Emeya: A 905-HP Four-Door, All-Electric Hyper Grand Tourer

• The Emeya is an all-new four-door grand touring EV
• 0-62 mph in under 2.8 seconds
• Up to 905 horsepower
• Production starts in 2024

Lotus has introduced what we consider to be its second-ever four-door hyper GT; only this time, it's all-electric and based on a platform entirely designed and developed by the British brand. Though not mentioned in the press release, the new Emeya could be considered the spiritual successor to the Lotus Carlton, the first four-door the company made.

According to Lotus, the Emeya badge was chosen to embody the "ambition and commitment" it has for this new vehicle. The word doesn't have a definition, but it is a popular name in certain parts of the world, where it stands for power, practicality, ambition, success, inspiration, and discipline. It's given to kids whose parents hope they change the world, which is an enormous burden for a child. And a car.

Luckily, the Emeya is a cutting-edge machine, which should help Lotus achieve its goal of becoming a global performance brand by 2028. Up until very recently, the Lotus name was synonymous with sublime but poorly built niche sports cars for people who thought the Porsche 911 was too civilized.

We'll start with the design, as there's not much to say. Lotus has a new design DNA, and the Emeya slots in neatly underneath the Eletre, with which it shares multiple stylistic elements. We do like the voluptuous curves, flush door handles, and how the black roof contrasts with the sharp edge of the C-pillar. The rear end and its stretched LED light bar are handsome, too; we detect a hint of Bugatti Chiron in the derriere.

The multiple active aerodynamic elements hiding around the body are far more interesting. At the front, the Emeya has an active grille and air dam. The air dam improves high-speed stability, while the grille makes the car more aerodynamically efficient when it's open and can also cool the brakes and batteries.

The rear houses an active diffuser and spoiler, aiding handling and stability. The spoiler is beautifully incorporated to not ruin the car's lines but can produce up to 550 pounds of downforce.

Underneath, the Emeya is equipped with an electronically controlled air suspension that can feel the road and make adjustments more than 1,000 times per second. In terms of driving distances, Lotus says the Emeya's range is expected to be broadly the same as that of the Eletre. That means roughly 304-370 miles.

It will also use the same dual-motor full-time all-wheel-drive setup. The most docile single-speed setup produces 603 horsepower and 524 lb-ft of torque, while the high-output two-speed version makes a rather pleasing 905 hp and 726 lb-ft. We now live in a world where the Models S Plaid and Lucid Air Sapphire exist, so we suspect Lotus will provide the most competitive setup it can.

As for the most important aspect of any Lotus, the weight, the automaker did not share that information, which is disappointing considering its founder's obsession with the subject.

Luckily, the performance figures are very Lotus-like. The claimed 0-62 mph time is under 2.8 seconds, but Lotus is quick to point out that it's more impressed with the 50-75 mph time, which is under two seconds. The top speed is claimed to be above 155 mph.

Lotus also says the high-output model will have a race-grade braking system, much needed in a heavy electric vehicle. Interestingly, the Emeya has a slightly smaller battery pack (102 kilowatt hours) compared to the Eletre (112 kWh). A battery this size is still quite big for a sedan, but it's on par with the 100 kWh Model S Plaid.

When connected to a 350 kW DC charger, the Emeya can add 93 miles in five minutes. Charging from 10-80% takes roughly 18 minutes, which is as close to perfect as it currently gets in the EV world. That's just long enough for the family to take a bathroom break and stretch their legs.

Like the updated Tesla Model 3, Lotus has gone for a sizeable landscape infotainment system. The infotainment is connected to KEF's award-winning 3D surround-sound system with integrated noise cancellation. Sensors outside the vehicle detect motion in the tires and suspension, and set algorithms generate anti-phase acoustic signals to remove exterior noise.

As you'd expect from a modern EV, the interior materials are also environmentally friendly. Lotus hasn't gone full vegan like Volvo, as Nappa leather still plays a significant role on the inside. Carbon fiber is also evident.

But Lotus has made a new luxury thread from the fashion and garment industry's repurposed cotton scraps. These new threads reduce the car's carbon footprint and, as Lotus is quick to point out, save weight. If you're making EVs, you take all the help you can get. Perhaps Lotus should take lessons from compatriot Caterham on how to produce a truly lightweight electric sports car.

The driver's side of the interior is the best place to be. Lotus says the Emeya is packed with intelligent and advanced features that make the driving experience safer and more entertaining. The 55-inch augmented reality head-up display provides real-time information like navigation, safety systems data, obstacle warnings, and blind-spot assist.

Lotus did not provide pricing information, but as a natural Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan rival, it needs to come in at between $75,000-$135,000, though Elon Musk's pricing goes up and down more than a pogo stick. We'll allow a $10,000 premium over the Tesla for the Lotus badge.

Production is expected to commence in 2024, so the Emeya will likely arrive in the USA next year as a 2025 model.