Lotus could offer the Emira with an even larger engine than the supercharged petrol V6 unit that currently serves the model, reported Autocar. “We are currently investigating the feasibility of the V8,” Geely CEO Feng Qingfeng was quoted as saying.
The statement came in response to a question from a United States-based dealer who suggested that Lotus should offer an even more powerful derivative of the V6-engined Emira, and the CEO of Geely ruled out adapting the current unit for more power because it would not comply with upcoming Euro 7 emissions regulations.
At present, the Emira is the sole internal combustion engine-powered model in the Lotus product line-up, comprised of a Toyota-sourced 3.5 litre V6 unit that Lotus has deployed in models past, as well as a turbocharged 2.0 litre inline-four from Mercedes-AMG in the Emira i4.
There are “some opportunities with the current supplier of engines,” so Lotus is looking in this direction, said Windle, though he did not specifically name Mercedes-AMG, nor confirm the plan for using a V8 as indicated by Feng. “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,” Windle added.
Adapting a V8 engine, should it come from AMG, for use in the Emira would take significant re-engineering as V8-powered mid-engined cars are typically larger and their engines longitudinally oriented, whereas the 3.5L V6 currently in the Emira is a transverse-mounted unit.
Built in Hethel in the United Kingdom, sales of the Emira reached a record 5,272 units, and while Lotus had intended to discontinue the V6 version of the sports car, its popularity in the United States – the world’s largest market for sports cars – prompted the manufacturer to consider replacing the V6 with an even bigger engine.
“The US is an incredibly important market for us for the car. It always has been. So we’re looking at the market demand for the product going forward,” Lotus CEO Matt Windle told Autocar. While the brand’s CEO did not specifically name Mercedes-AMG as the potential engine supplier, Windle said that Lotus is considering other options in terms of powertrain.
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The Ford Coyote V8 matched with Tremec T56 manual would be a cost effective alternative should Lotus not looking to spend too much on developing own V8 drivetrain or buying from AMG. Good sounds, huge aftermarket support in USA and big tuning potential.
Good to hear that they geely lotus still interested on improving the combustion engine, rather than only focusing on the EV, I know they lotus doesn’t benefit to Malaysia economy and profit, but as a national car guys myself I glad to hear that, as long as don’t burden our Malaysian economy, let’s geely alone handle the lotus car manufacturer. Peace
Suggesting to source for small block HEMI V8 engine, climax with bubbling V8 sound
Mercedes V8 is the logical choice since Geely big boss holds a share in Daimler…