Verdict
At RM459,000 against RM999,888, the Lotus Emeya undercuts the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL by RM540,888 yet has 603 hp, AWD and a quicker 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time. It is also the more usable grand tourer on paper, with five seats, 509 litres of boot space, a 610 km EV range and a five-year warranty. The AMG SL fights back with the roof-down body, 275 km/h top speed and lower RM376 road tax, but its 375 hp and 240-litre boot make the Lotus look the harder hitter for Malaysia.
Pick the Lotus Emeya if you want the quicker, roomier electric grand tourer with 610 km of range and a far lower purchase price.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL if the convertible body, 275 km/h top speed and lower annual road tax matter more than space and acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: Lotus Emeya RM459,000; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM999,888
- Power: Lotus Emeya 603 hp; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 375 hp
- 0-100 km/h: Lotus Emeya 4.2 s; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 4.9 s
- Top speed: Lotus Emeya 250 km/h; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 275 km/h
- Boot space: Lotus Emeya 509 L; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 240 L
- Road tax: Lotus Emeya RM1,440/year; Mercedes-Benz AMG SL RM376/year
Emeya
- 603 hp dual-motor AWD
- 610 km EV range from 102.0 kWh battery
- Five seats and 509 L boot
- Higher RM1,440 annual road tax
- Very wide at 2,241 mm
- Lower 250 km/h top speed
AMG SL
- Convertible body
- Higher 275 km/h top speed
- Lower RM376 annual road tax
- Only 375 hp versus the Lotus’ 603 hp
- Smaller 240 L boot
- Four-year warranty and five airbags
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 459,000✓ | RM 999,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Convertible |
| Segment | Grand Tourer | Grand Tourer |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Mild Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 375 hp |
| Torque | — | 480 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 603 hp✓ | 13 hp |
| Motor Torque | 710 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 102 kWh✓ | 1 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 | Single Ratio Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | — | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Daimler |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.15 seconds✓ | 4.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 275 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,139 mm | 4,705 mm |
| Width | 2,241 mm | 1,915 mm |
| Height | 1,459 mm | 1,359 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,069 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,810 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 70 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 509 litres✓ | 240 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 275/35R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/40R20 | 305/30R21 |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P-Zero | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-Link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Aero Grey Alloys | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Aero Grey Alloys | 21" AMG 10-Twin-Spoke Forged Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Continuous Dampening Control with Air Suspension | Sports Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two rear passenger seats | Available on Front Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Both Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Projector LED with Dynamic Indicators | Digital Light LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators | Full LED with Dynamic Light Design and Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | Fixed | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| 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 | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Automatic with Anti-pinch | Two Windows, Driver Side Auto Up & Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Operation (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Entry | Keyless Operation with Pop-out Door Handles |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| 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 | Tyre puncture repair kit | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 1,440 | RM 376✓ |
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.
Emeya vs AMG SL FAQ
Is the Lotus Emeya or Mercedes-Benz AMG SL better?
For most buyers, the Lotus Emeya is better on numbers: more power, quicker acceleration, more seats, a bigger boot and 610 km EV range. The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL is the choice if you specifically want a convertible grand tourer.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG SL costs RM540,888 more than the Lotus Emeya, based on RM999,888 versus RM459,000.
Which one is more practical for daily use?
The Lotus Emeya is more practical. It has five seats instead of four, 509 litres of boot space instead of 240 litres, and a 3,069 mm wheelbase against the AMG SL’s 2,700 mm.