The new mid-engined supercar from Lotus will include hybridization to boost performance
- The new Lotus supercar is tipped to borrow its powerful V8 from Mercedes-AMG.
- These renderings depict a radical take on the existing Emira with a new design.
- This Emira includes a more aggressive front fascia and a dramatic rear fascia.
Lotus bet its future on electric models like the Emeya and Eletre, but quickly discovered this wasn’t a wise idea. It’s now offering hybrids and, in 2028, will launch a new V8-powered supercar to slot above the Emira in its two-door model range.
This exciting new car is expected to hit the market with a design influenced heavily by 2024’s Theory 1 concept, although we think Lotus would be wise to draw some design inspiration from these renderings for the new model. Created by Khyzyl Saleem, these renderings showcase a car based on the Emira, albeit with much more radical bodywork, fitting of an even more powerful car.
The front is where things kick off. The Emira’s standard headlights remain, but just about everything else is new. For example, it has a distinctive hood as well as a carbon fiber splitter and intakes not dissimilar to those of the Theory 1.
As a mid-range sports car offered with four- and six-cylinder engines, the Emira’s tasteful and restrained design is pretty much perfect. With a more powerful V8 supercar, Lotus could make things look a little more radical. The car in these images includes enlarged side air intakes and new skirts, boosting the car’s aero credentials while also making it look much more aggressive.
Aero For Days
It’s a similar story at the rear. Saleem, who recently created this stunning Hyundai Ioniq 5-based Group B rally car, has showcased the Emira-based model with a new decklid spoiler and a custom diffuser with two massive venturi tunnels.
It’s not yet clear where Lotus will source the new model’s V8 engine from, although reports suggest Mercedes-AMG is the most likely supplier. It recently launched a new 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-plane crank V8, an engine which would work perfectly in a mid-engined application. Supplementing this V8 will be a traditional hybrid system, perhaps using an electric motor at the front axle like the Chevy Corvette Grand Sport X.
