Lotus is considering offering a V8 option in their Emira sports car line-up, as a souped up, more aggressive variant of the model. The news came from the horse’s mouth itself, with CEO Feng Qingfeng saying to investors in a recent earnings call, “We are currently investigating the feasibility of the V8.”
The more intriguing part, however, is the reason for the switch to V8 power. As reported by Autocar, Feng said that they will not be able to boost power outputs on the supercharged V6 engine any more, as it wouldn’t have complied with the Euro 7 emissions regulations. Tapping into a new V8 engine would give them more leeway to push extra power, while still staying on the right side of the rulebooks.
In other words, Lotus is trying to beat emissions regulations with a bigger engine – imagine that.
The Toyota-sourced V6 engine has long been a mainstay in the Lotus line-up, and has been in use by the Hethel-based sportscar maker as early as 2009 (in naturally-aspirated form) in the Evora. According to the publication, Lotus has long considered phasing out the V6 engine in favour of a Mercedes-AMG-supplied inline-four mill, but the six-cylinder is still “enduringly popular” in the US.
The States being the largest sports car market in the world – and accounting for almost 50% of total Emira sales – has prompted Lotus to consider fitting a bigger engine into the Emira. Sure enough, Feng’s announcement was indeed in response to a question from a US dealer, who suggested the company should offer a stripped-down, high-power V6 that would be quick enough to challenge the Porsche 911 GT3.
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Speaking to the publication, Lotus Cars Europe CEO, Matt Windle, confirmed that Lotus is looking into other power options – but stopped short of naming the V8. “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.”
He added, “There are some opportunities with the current supplier of engines, so we’re looking at it,” which hints that Lotus may be approaching Mercedes-AMG for their V8 engines that’s found in models such as the G63 and AMG GT. Mercedes also supplies the same engine to other marques, including Aston Martin.
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The Lotus Emira, the historic British brand’s final pure internal combustion engine (ICE) model, is currently offered in two variants: one with a Mercedes-AMG-sourced 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 400 hp and 480 Nm, and the other with a Toyota-sourced 3.5-litre supercharged V6, making 406 hp and 420 Nm. Despite its larger displacement, the bigger V6 is actually slightly slower to complete the century sprint, taking 4.2 seconds as opposed to a flat four point nought.
If it were to happen, the Lotus Emira could become the first model in its line-up to sport eight cylinders, after the Esprit V8 was dropped from its line-up after a run of eight years. As thrilling as the idea is, doesn’t stuffing a big and heavy V8 into the Emira somewhat go against the principles of a Lotus – simplify, then add lightness?
