Statements from Lotus Cars’s CEO indicate a V8 engine could be on the cards for the Emira, to replace the outgoing supercharged 2GR V6 option.
A relationship with Mercedes-AMG has already been established, with the German hothouse providing the M139 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and eight-speed DCT transmission for the Emira.
Apparently, better-than-expected sales numbers of the V6 in the USA have shifted the company’s position from phasing it out to finding a replacement. CEO Qingfeng Feng is quoted in an Autocar report, saying:
“We are currently investigating the feasibility of the V8.”
Lotus Cars’s European CEO, Matt Windle, emphasised the relationship between Lotus and AMG, adding:
“It’s a very, very competent product that we probably haven’t exploited to its full already, so we are looking at all the options. There are some opportunities with the current supplier of engines, so we’re looking at it.”
While nothing is concrete at this stage, things look pretty encouraging and we might see development mules over the next 6-12 months.
We think this would be a great antidote to the brand’s electrified models and make a very enjoyable car even more so. Unfortunately, the manual transmission might not survive the transition.
