Lotus Emira Will Ditch Toyota and AMG Engines for a New Hybrid V-6
Key takeaways
- The new hybrid powertrain will come from a joint venture between Renault and Geely, and it'll be a lot more powerful than the existing engines.
- Now, it appears the Lotus Emira sports car will also go hybrid, with Autocar reporting that an updated Emira will arrive in 2027 with a V-6 hybrid setup.
- The plans to launch a hybridized Emira were confirmed to Autocar by Lotus CEO Qingfeng Feng, who also revealed that the new powertrain will become the only choice going forward for Lotus's sports car.
Why this matters: an automotive development that could shape industry direction or buying decisions.
The new hybrid powertrain will come from a joint venture between Renault and Geely, and it'll be a lot more powerful than the existing engines.
Greg Pajo|Car and Driver The Lotus Emira will get overhauled in 2027 with a new hybrid V-6 powertrain, the company's CEO confirmed to Autocar.The turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 will pair with an automatic gearbox featuring an integrated e-motor, built by Horse Powertrains, a joint venture between Renault and Geely.The new engine is capable of up to 536 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, far more than the Toyota V-6 and Mercedes-AMG turbo four it will replace.Yesterday, Lotus announced a pivot from its plans for an electric supercar codenamed the Type 135, instead revealing that the low-slung two-door will pack a new V-8 hybrid powertrain with nearly 1000 horsepower. Now, it appears the Lotus Emira sports car will also go hybrid, with Autocar reporting that an updated Emira will arrive in 2027 with a V-6 hybrid setup.
The plans to launch a hybridized Emira were confirmed to Autocar by Lotus CEO Qingfeng Feng, who also revealed that the new powertrain will become the only choice going forward for Lotus's sports car. That means it will replace both the supercharged V-6, sourced from Toyota, and the turbocharged four-cylinder, supplied by Mercedes-AMG, currently found in the Emira. The Toyota V-6 was already on the chopping block, as it does not meet upcoming European emissions regulations.