The next chapter of the Lotus Emira is shaping up to be its most dramatic yet. Lotus has confirmed that the Emira will move away from both its current Toyota-sourced V6 and AMG-supplied four-cylinder engines in favour of an all-new hybrid V6 powertrain developed by Horse, the Renault-Geely-backed powertrain company.
Set to arrive later this decade, the updated Emira will become the first production car to use Horse’s new 3.0-litre turbocharged hybrid V6 engine. The move marks a major shift in Lotus’ strategy as the brand doubles down on performance-focused combustion and hybrid sports cars instead of going fully electric.
A Smaller, Lighter and More Powerful Future
The new engine may be hybrid-assisted, but Lotus is making sure the Emira keeps its driver-focused character intact.
Horse says the new V6 produces up to 536bhp and 516lb-ft of torque while weighing just 160kg. That makes it lighter than many traditional V6 engines and only slightly heavier than some modern four-cylinder units. The compact dimensions are expected to help Lotus preserve the sharp handling balance the Emira is known for.
The engine will be paired with an automatic gearbox and an integrated electric motor, delivering an additional performance boost while helping the car meet stricter global emissions regulations.
According to Horse CEO Matias Giannini, the company focused heavily on keeping the powertrain compact and lightweight. The V6 has been developed using the same modular engineering philosophy behind Horse’s smaller four-cylinder engines, allowing the company to scale up performance without dramatically increasing size or weight.
US Buyers Played a Big Role
Interestingly, the decision to continue with a six-cylinder Emira came largely because of customer demand in the United States.
Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng revealed that American buyers strongly preferred the current Toyota-powered V6 model over the AMG four-cylinder variant. In fact, the V6 remains the Emira’s best-selling version in the US market.
That feedback reportedly played a major role in Lotus extending the Emira’s lifecycle after cancelling plans for an all-electric replacement that was previously being developed alongside Alpine.
Instead of replacing the Emira with an EV, Lotus is now evolving it into a hybrid sports car that still delivers the emotional appeal enthusiasts want.
Hethel Factory Gets a Lifeline
The updated Emira is also important for Lotus beyond just product strategy. Its continued production secures the future of the company’s historic manufacturing facility in Hethel, Norfolk.
The plant is also expected to build Lotus’ upcoming V8 hybrid supercar, currently codenamed “Esprit”, from 2028 onwards.
Production volumes at Hethel had fallen sharply last year following higher US import tariffs on foreign-built vehicles. However, revised trade agreements reduced tariffs on UK-built cars to 10%, making exports to America more financially viable again.
Lotus now aims to push the factory closer to its 10,000-unit annual capacity with both the Emira and future hybrid supercars.
Lotus Isn’t Giving Up on Combustion Yet
At a time when many performance brands are rapidly moving toward full electrification, Lotus appears to be taking a more balanced approach.
The company still sees strong demand for lightweight sports cars with combustion engines, especially when paired with hybrid technology. What this really means is Lotus is trying to preserve the emotional side of driving while adapting to changing emissions standards and customer expectations.
For enthusiasts, that could be good news. The Emira was already considered one of the last truly analogue-feeling sports cars on sale. Now, with a more advanced hybrid V6 under the hood, it looks set to evolve rather than disappear.
