BMW M3 vs Lotus Emeya
Verdict
The Lotus Emeya is the shock result on numbers: at RM459,000 it costs RM378,800 less than the RM837,800 BMW M3, yet has 603 hp, all-wheel drive and a 610 km EV range from a 102.0 kWh battery. The BMW fights back where M cars should, doing 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds against 4.2 seconds, despite its lower 503 hp output. For Malaysia, this is petrol pace and smaller dimensions versus electric range, a longer warranty and a much lower entry price.
M3
Pick the BMW M3 if you want the quicker 0-100 km/h time, a 2,993 cc petrol engine and the smaller footprint of the two sedans.
Emeya
Pick the Lotus Emeya if you want the lower price, 603 hp electric performance, 610 km range and a bigger cabin footprint.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M3 RM837,800; Lotus Emeya RM459,000
- Powertrain: BMW M3 2,993 cc petrol; Lotus Emeya dual motor electric
- Power: BMW M3 503 hp; Lotus Emeya 603 hp
- 0-100 km/h: BMW M3 3.5 s; Lotus Emeya 4.2 s
- Size: BMW M3 4,794 mm long and 1,903 mm wide; Lotus Emeya 5,139 mm long and 2,241 mm wide
- Boot space: BMW M3 480 L; Lotus Emeya 509 L
M3
- Quicker 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- 650 Nm torque figure is stated
- Shorter and narrower than the Lotus Emeya
- Costs RM378,800 more than the Lotus Emeya
- Uses 10.1 L/100 km and emits 230 g/km CO2
- Two-year warranty trails the Lotus Emeya’s five years
Emeya
- 603 hp is 100 hp more than the BMW M3
- 610 km EV range from a 102.0 kWh battery
- Bigger 509 L boot and eight airbags
- Slower 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- Very wide at 2,241 mm
- No torque figure listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 837,800 | RM 459,000✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Grand Tourer |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | — |
| Capacity | 2,993 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 503 hp | — |
| Torque | 650 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 84 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.3 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 603 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 710 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 102 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 610 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 420 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed M Steptronic Transmission with Drivelogic | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds✓ | 4.15 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 10.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 230 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,794 mm | 5,139 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm | 2,241 mm |
| Height | 1,433 mm | 1,459 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 3,069 mm |
| Weight | 1,855 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 509 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/30R20 | 285/40R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Super Sport Run-flat | Pirelli P-Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy | 20" 5-spoke Aero Grey Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Double-spoke Style 826 M Two-tone Forged Alloy | 20" 5-spoke Aero Grey Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Cross-drilled Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Cross-drilled Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential, 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD Modes | Continuous Dampening Control with Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Attentiveness Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Prevention, Active Protection | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Laser Projectors with Auto High Beam | Projector LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Fixed |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (11 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Controller, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 12-speaker 360W Harman Kardon Sound System | 15.1" Touchscreen with Lotus Hyper OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-speaker KEF Reference Audio |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Automatic with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Operation (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Smartphone Key and Proximity Auto Lock/Unlock | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Surround View |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | No |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger, BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service | Tyre puncture repair kit |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 2,113 | RM 1,440✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
M3 vs Emeya FAQ
Is the BMW M3 or Lotus Emeya better?
The Lotus Emeya is the stronger buy on price, power, warranty, boot space and EV range. The BMW M3 is better if the priority is the quicker 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time and a petrol drivetrain.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M3 costs RM378,800 more than the Lotus Emeya. That gap is large, especially as the Lotus has 603 hp, a 610 km EV range and a five-year warranty.
Which one is quicker?
The BMW M3 is quicker from 0-100 km/h, taking 3.5 seconds versus the Lotus Emeya’s 4.2 seconds. Both have the same 250 km/h top speed.