If there is a Lotus in 2027!! 🤦🏻‍♂️

 

Going further down the wrong path. They just don't get it. Some wanky hybrid is not what consumers want.

 

Some wanky hybrid is not what consumers want.

While us here on LT love our ICE-engined cars, unfortunately full ICE models will eventually be legislated out of existence. I'm a manual 'til I die kind of guy, but I realize those are also going the way of the dodo in reasonably-priced new cars.

Politicians on both sides of the Atlantic are getting a dose of reality,though, as the 2030 EV mandates are proving unrealistic as consumer demand isn't there (particularly with government purchase incentive programs drying up like here in Canada, causing a massive drop in EV uptake). Many car manufacturers are hemorrhaging money on their EV lineups, and are now going back to investing into hybrid tech.

Sure, hybrids may be heavier than ICE models, and weight is the enemy (particularly in the Lotus ethos), but I see these as the REALISTIC future of motoring for the masses of people that don't live right in the heart of major metropolitan cities where tiny EV city cars or transit could theoretically be reasonable transportation.

Since I likely won't be in the financial ballpark to buy high-dollar enthusiast-oriented supercars (e.g. - Koenigsegg; GMA; Pagani; 911 S/T; etc.), I am willing to accept and even get excited about a performance hybrid that is sub-3500 lbs. I believe the Evora GT was about 3200 lbs, so if a fun-driving, non-behemoth hybrid Lotus is produced with great driving dynamics, that would be something to celebrate.

One final point on this. We have our legacy ICE Lotus cars that we love, and hopefully will keep running for many years from now. I wholeheartedly support a hybrid future as that is way more appealing (and convenient) than a 2-ton+ mandated EV future for ALL cars.

Just my 2 cents (or 25 cents based on the length of this post)... 😉

 

Well, that puts the v8 engine development gossip on ICE.

 

I agree with @JMack77. I have said here before that a hybrid powertrain, with a smaller battery focused on brake regen and acceleration (not sustained motion at constant speed), could be a real winner for Lotus. And they already have a good relationship with the master of that technology: Toyota. Optimize for performance (or even make it switchable, as in Street vs. Sport modes) and it could be very popular with a broad swath of the market. And still fit within the size, weight, and ethos of Lotus.

Whether Geely will recognize and admit that, and permit their performance marque to take advantage of it, is the real question.

 

Its was probably inevitable, but I liked the V8 rumor more.

 

The lighter version

 

Could be pretty intense if they transplanted C63 powerplant into Emira. 671HP, maybe trim the battery size a bit to remove fully electric ops and save some weight. They already have some experience with AMG i4 and just need to reconfigure the packaging a bit. Perhaps fully utilize the trunk and extend the nose forward for a small frunk? Or just package cooling more efficiently to carve out storage in the front?

IDK man, what super/hypercar brands aren't going hybrid these days? 918, SF90, Revuelto, 296GTB, Arturo, etc...

I'm excited about the possibility of a hybrid (but likely still won't bite without the 2+2 option.)

 

That powerpoint turned a 4-door sedan into a total pig. Probably the last thing one one would want in a sports car.

 

Those cars are at a much different price point than the Emira.

Yes I know, obviously. I'm just sayin', the appeal is there for a high-performance hybrid.

The complications and expense of a hybrid model preclude the Emira from being a track enthusiast choice. If Lotus wants the Emira to be a 911/Vette competitor, going hybrid is not the way to capture that audience.

Not so sure about this; they may be very well capable of building a very exciting hybrid that makes interesting choices on the track. Remains to be seen.

If Lotus offered two versions. A V8 NA or a 4-cylinder hybrid at the same price; which one would sell more?

I'd love a V8 NA. I'd love a supercharged small high-revving V8 more. I could also be excited about a 4, 6, or 8 hybrid if the tech was on point.

 

The #1 thing Lotus and everyone hear is "ADD LIGHTNESS". Get it back below 3200lbs, preferably closer to 3000lbs. That is what made Lotus famous, not some overpowered overweight lump. Emira is failing because the hardcore like myself are NOT IMPRESSED. There are several thousand of us out there holding off till they stop giving us their equivalent of mass market bullsh!!. Better happen soon cuz new Prelude and ?? MR2?? are on the horizon. An NE Miata as well. As usual they will miss the hole in the market. If Alfa releases a new Spider, yet another hole missed (Convertible/ roadster). How many more self inflicted wounds can they survive? And folks say they'd buy a Cinese built one.... hahaha
The hybrid fan boys are not the core of Lotus. The track oriented folks are. If the hybrid option is SSC, only thing I'd consider otherwise back to lightest stuff out there. Think fully built 300HP Miata ND....at under 2500lbs. for less $$$

 

The #1 thing Lotus and everyone hear is "ADD LIGHTNESS". Get it back below 3200lbs, preferably closer to 3000lbs.

Agreed. In practice with current design that would necessitate focusing on I4 engine option (which is already below 3200lb). Wouldn’t be super hard either - probably bucket seats, replacing entertainment with tablet/lightweight speakers (speaker?), and fixed carbon fiber engine cover/trunk would get it to 3000.

 

Car manufacturers now understand that the US and the Middle East are not going to follow the ways of Europe and California with EV mandates. We will see ICE cars in US for at least another 15 years and possibly longer. This was confirmed to me by a member of the C suite of a major US auto manufacturer. Lotus is unfortunately a train wreck of a company right now and I am not super optimistic about their future, the Chinese need to run it and take over R & D to save it. The problem is the Chinese are not great at making ICE cars, they are very good at making EVs so that is why they will push Lotus into being an EV company and probably a good one. China wants the ICE gone so they can dominate world EV auto production. The European governments don’t understand they are being played like fiddle are going to kill their auto manufacturers if they don’t wake up and change the 2030 EV mandate. The woke European leaders have their head in their a$$es and they are leading the European autos to their death. I am hopping and praying that that Porsche (VW/Audi), Mercedes and Ferrari somehow survive, they are in big big trouble if Europe doesn’t wake up soon. I will enjoy my 2005 Lotus Elise until I run into the ground or get too old to get in and out of it.

 

Hmmm, so you want to buy a Chinese built Lotus EV? yet you say you will drive your 2005 Elise till it dies? Bit of an oxymoron, no?
Politics aside, NO support for them will come from me..............

 

Aston Martin (and I assume Ferrari) buys EV credits from Tesla to keep the ICE line up going.

 

I'll be picking up a refreshed i4 with all the new option. I'll probably keep my V6 forever

 

1. BATTERY! Easy 40 lbs
2. Seats I hear stocks are ~100lbs. Aftermarket saves 60+....I have not measured them but I know my Technocrafts are 6.6 lbs each with rails maybe 15lbs. So 2 seats at 30 lbs. Stocks 100...save 60-70!!! Not sure if side airbags are on seats or doors..that could be the issue. DOH!!! Probably a lot less expensive than the Bridge of Weir leather too.

So 416HP min and 3100 lbs. Step in the right direction and folks like myself get interested again. Ironic how I get out of my 4c and get into the old Evora today and it feels like a luxury car. Amazing how perspective changes. There is a reason the Elige is so loved.......simple pleasure. Miata on steroids etc. There is a market out there but Lotus reads slow and always has bad timing.

 

Damn, I suppose this drives home the statement . " Lotus Elise is a vehicle that will never be made again". Mine sits at 2012 lbs corner balanced lowerd to 110mm with 290hp to the wheel...

Still want a Ultima GTR, but well those prices certain don't seem to be coming down if you can even find one for sale... I would have one already if willing to sell my Exige, thats a hard nope for me.

 

I really don't get why Lotus is dead set on trying to reinvent their identity as light, high-revving, responsive driver's cars. Try as they might there's just no emotion with electric cars, they are appliances and not breathing, ensouled machines like the best ICE cars are, and each one weighs a brick!!