Lotus confirms Emira PHEV for 2027

Let’s face it. The news out of Lotus has been decidedly negative of late. At last, a ray of sunshine. Its Emira sports car is set to gain ‘Hyper Hybrid’ technology being rolled out for Eletre soon. 

Lotus says it is working on a plug-in hybrid version of the Emira sports car. It is also upgrading the V6 model so it will comply with the Euro 7 emissions regulation changes that take effect in 2027.

Lotus boss, Feng Qingfeng, said the Emira would benefit from the same ‘Hyper Hybrid’ technology scheduled to be introduced in Eletre later this year.

The existing four-cylinder Emira Turbo, powered by a Mercedes engine, will fall by the wayside during the EU7 makeover. The Emira V6 evidently cannot be upgraded to meet the new regulations.

The inclusion of PHEV technology in the Emira is part of a closer cooperation between the Lotus Technology China and Lotus Cars in the UK.

Following a host of layoffs, the recent decision to combine the two firms will bring efficiencies and technology synergies.

Lotus’s commitment to the future of the Emira will be a relief to those remaining at Hethel, Norfolk. Deliveries almost halved after the US tariff increase. America is the biggest market for Emira. Exports there have resumed with the tariff set at 15 per cent.

Read our Lotus Emeya S review here.

The company posted a significant loss for the first half of 2025, even if it was less than that of the previous half-year performance.

Lotus is shifting emphasis from pure electric to PHEV technology. The decision came after sales of its Eletre SUV and Emeya saloon fell short of expectations. Luxury car buyers are shunning EVs at present.

That said, sales of Eletre and Emeya EVs rose in the second quarter in China, helped by upgraded versions of the former.