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Emira to Become a Plug-In Hybrid in 2027
Lotus has officially confirmed that the Emira sports car will get a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant and a targeted upgrade to the V6 model as part of a Euro 7 compliance facelift scheduled for 2027. The company says the Emira will adopt the same "Hyper Hybrid" system being rolled out across its line-up, technology that Lotus expects to debut on an SUV later this year, likely the Eletre.
Why the Change Matters
The move marks a strategic pivot for Lotus as it adapts to the stricter Euro 7 emissions rules and shifting buyer sentiment. The current four-cylinder Emira Turbo — powered by a Mercedes‑AMG petrol engine — is understood to be under review and may be discontinued during the EU7 overhaul. Lotus has also indicated the existing Emira V6, which uses a Toyota engine, cannot be simply upgraded to meet the new emissions standard without significant changes, prompting the company to pursue PHEV solutions instead.
Design and Engineering Collaboration
The adoption of PHEV technology for the Emira reflects closer cooperation between China-based Lotus Technology and Lotus Cars in the UK. This consolidation aims to unlock engineering synergies and efficiency gains by pooling functions and accelerating technology transfer between the brands' electric and performance-focused divisions. CEO Feng Qingfeng stressed the expected efficiencies during Lotus' second-quarter results call, while reaffirming the firm's commitment to keeping high-performance engineering rooted in the UK.
Images and Media
Please note: all images, captions and placements from the original Lotus announcement remain unchanged and should be preserved in editorial use.
Performance and Powertrain Details
Lotus has not released full technical specs for the Emira PHEV yet, but the "Hyper Hybrid" branding suggests a high-performance PHEV architecture combining a turbocharged petrol engine with one or more electric motors and a battery pack optimized for performance and usable electric range. Lotus' prior PHEV experimentation — a prototype Evora dubbed the 414E — used a small 1.2‑litre three-cylinder petrol engine, an electric motor and a 17kWh battery, delivering a potential electric-only range of about 35 miles. While the 414E never reached production, its layout offers a reference point for how Lotus might balance electric range and on-demand performance in the Emira.
Specifications and Expected Figures
Key anticipated attributes for the 2027 Emira PHEV include: - A combined petrol-electric drivetrain tuned for strong mid-range torque and rapid throttle response - A battery sized to offer meaningful electric-only urban driving (likely in the 15–25kWh range, based on Lotus' prior prototypes) - Retained lightweight chassis and handling-focused suspension to preserve Lotus' sporting dynamics - Rapid charging capability and optimized energy management for performance driving
Market Positioning and Competitors
With this PHEV strategy, Lotus aims to keep the Emira competitive against other performance-oriented hybrid sports cars from premium marques that are offering electrified options to meet tightening emissions rules. The Emira PHEV will appeal to buyers who want sports-car dynamics with reduced emissions and local electric driving capability — a positioning between pure ICE sports cars and fully electric high-performance models like the Eletre and Emeya saloon.
Business Context: Jobs, Production and Sales
The announcement comes amid a turbulent period for Lotus. The company revealed plans to combine Lotus Technology with Lotus Cars and later announced significant workforce reductions in the UK. While Lotus did not explicitly tie the job cuts to the Emira program, CEO Feng emphasised the consolidation would produce efficiencies and strengthen high-performance engineering at the Hethel, Norfolk facility. The Emira’s continued production provides some reassurance for staff after the temporary halt of its planned electric replacement and a sharp drop in US sales following increased import tariffs earlier in the year. Exports to the US resumed in July after the UK negotiated a tariff reduction from 27.5% to 15%.
Financial Snapshot
Lotus reported a net loss of $313 million (£231.6m) in H1 2025, an improvement over a $424m loss in the prior half-year. Deliveries fell nearly 50% to 2,813 units in the first half of 2025, and Emira volumes plunged 64% to 891 units as exports to the US were paused. Despite the setbacks, Lotus notes rising Q2 sales of its Eletre and Emeya EVs in China, helped by updated Eletre variants.
Conclusion and Outlook
The Emira PHEV represents Lotus' pragmatic response to Euro 7 and market realities: retain the Emira's sporting character while offering electrified efficiency under the Hyper Hybrid banner. For enthusiasts and buyers, the 2027 Emira is shaping up to be a compelling blend of classic Lotus handling and modern hybrid performance.
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