2027 Lotus Emira facelift to debut with plug-in hybrid powertrain
Lotus, a British-based manufacturer of Lotus Cars, has leaked the scoop that the 2027 renovated Emira model will be equipped with a new plug-in hybrid drive. The update is part of the brand’s strategy to meet strict Euro 7 emissions.
Incorporating the Hyper Hybrid powertrain, Emira is going to debut in an off-road vehicle first, presumably the Lotus Eletre, and then in the Emira in 2025 and 2027, respectively.
Present Emira is a global car including India with two petrol engine options. The Turbo variants are energized by an AMG 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine in two power configurations of 365 hp/430 Nm and 406 hp/480 Nm. In contrast, a Toyota 3.5-liter supercharged V6 injects 406 hp and 420 Nm of torque.
Both the V6 and the four-cylinder turbo have to get cleaner to meet the Euro 7 targets. Lotus planned to phase out the V6, but its American market demand is making the UK brand think again.
Mercedes-AMG 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, already in the Aston Martin Vantage, is being considered by Lotus, alongside the hybrid, to power the next-generation V8 model. The first V8-powered Lotus after the Esprit V8, (2004) would be the new one if approved.
The decision of Lotus to use Hybrids was a strategic change in long-term plans. The company had committed to going all-electric by 2028 but that plan has been shelved now.
Lotus is betting on high-performance plug-in hybrids for the future that would combine turbocharged combustion engines with ultra-fast charging batteries, allowing ranges up to 1,094km.
This move is a reflection of the global EV adoption being slower than expected and the recent financial troubles. Lotus recorded a loss of $313 million in the first half of 2025 and as a result of this, the company declared the downsizing of jobs in the UK, referring to policy changes and tariffs as reasons.
The upcoming 2027 Emira facelift signifies more than unobtrusive emission compliance as it symbolizes a transition from Lotus’ petrol-driven past to its electrified future. With the guarantee of state-of-the-art hybrid performance and the possibility of a V8 comeback, the Emira facelift might be the most remarkable car of Lotus’ contemporary era.
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