Lotus is actively exploring the introduction of a V8 engine for its Emira sports car as part of a renewed strategy to broaden the appeal of its final combustion-engined model. This move comes as the company, now under the ownership of Geely, seeks to address both regulatory constraints and sustained market demand, particularly in the United States.
The Emira, currently available with a supercharged V6 sourced from Toyota and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine supplied by Mercedes-AMG, delivers up to 400bhp in both variants. However, the V6 is set to be discontinued as it cannot be made compliant with the forthcoming Euro 7 emissions regulations. Although Lotus had previously planned to phase out the V6 in favour of the AMG four-cylinder, consumer preference, especially in the US, has prompted a reassessment.
According to Autocar, Lotus Chief Executive Officer Feng Qingfeng confirmed during a recent investor briefing that the company is considering a higher-performance version of the Emira and is currently assessing the viability of fitting it with a V8. His remarks followed feedback from an American dealer who proposed a lightweight, high-powered alternative capable of rivalling the Porsche 911 GT3.
