Verdict
This is a strange but useful Lotus split: the Lotus Eletre is the 603 hp, 710 Nm electric SUV with five seats, 688 litres of boot space and a 600 km EV range, while the Lotus Emira is the 400 hp, 420 Nm supercharged petrol coupe with a six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive. The Emira is quicker to 100 km/h, 4.3 seconds against 4.5, helped by a huge 1,085 kg weight advantage. But the Eletre costs RM632,800 less and is far easier to live with in Malaysia.
Pick the Lotus Eletre if you want the Lotus badge with EV range, five-seat practicality, lower road tax and a much lower purchase price.
Pick the Lotus Emira if you want the lighter, two-seat petrol Lotus with a manual gearbox and the quicker 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: Lotus Eletre RM499,000; Lotus Emira RM1,131,800
- Powertrain: Lotus Eletre 2 motors, 603 hp and 710 Nm; Lotus Emira 3,456 cc supercharged petrol V6, 400 hp and 420 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Lotus Eletre 4.5 seconds; Lotus Emira 4.3 seconds
- Weight: Lotus Eletre 2,490 kg; Lotus Emira 1,405 kg
- Practicality: Lotus Eletre 5 seats and 688 litres; Lotus Emira 2 seats and 151 litres
- Road tax: Lotus Eletre RM1,440 a year; Lotus Emira RM4,182 a year
Eletre
- Much cheaper to buy at RM499,000 against RM1,131,800
- Five seats, rear air-con and a 688-litre boot make it the usable one
- 600 km EV range, 22 kW AC charging and 350 kW DC charging
- Slightly slower to 100 km/h: 4.5 seconds versus 4.3 seconds
- Far heavier at 2,490 kg versus 1,405 kg
- Much larger footprint: 5,103 mm long and 2,135 mm wide versus 4,412 mm and 1,895 mm
Emira
- Quicker 0-100 km/h time at 4.3 seconds
- Six-speed Aisin manual and rear-wheel drive
- Much lighter at 1,405 kg
- Costs RM632,800 more to buy
- Only two seats and 151 litres of boot space
- Road tax is RM4,182 a year versus RM1,440
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM499,000✓ | RM1,131,800 |
| Body type | SUV | Coupe |
| Segment | Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 24-valve DOHC, supercharged (Roots) with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 3,456 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 400 hp |
| Torque | — | 420 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 603 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 710 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 112 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 600 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 350 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | Six-speed Manual |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.5 seconds | 4.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 258 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,103 mm | 4,412 mm |
| Width | 2,135 mm | 1,895 mm |
| Height | 1,630 mm | 1,225 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,019 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 2,490 kg | 1,405 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 688 litres✓ | 151 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/50R20 | 245/35R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/40R20 | 295/30R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport EV | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | United Kingdom (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Touring or Sports Suspensions Available |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbags and Front Knee Airbags | — |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on two rear passenger seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Projector LED with Dynamic Indicators | Projector LED |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Power Sockets | 2 USB-C front, 2 USB-C rear | 2 USB-A, 1 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 15.1" Touchscreen with Lotus Hyper OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-speaker KEF Reference Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android, KEF Reference Audio |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Automatic with Anti-pinch | Automatic Front Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Operation (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | No |
| 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 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,440✓ | RM4,182 |
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.
Used Eletre & Emira for sale
Eletre vs Emira FAQ
Is the Lotus Eletre or Lotus Emira better?
For daily Malaysian use, the Lotus Eletre is the better all-rounder: cheaper, roomier, electric and lower on road tax. The Lotus Emira is better if the priority is a lighter manual sports car.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Eletre costs RM499,000, while the Lotus Emira costs RM1,131,800. That makes the Emira RM632,800 more expensive.
Which is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
The Lotus Emira is quicker, doing 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. The Lotus Eletre is close at 4.5 seconds despite weighing 2,490 kg.