Verdict
The RM332,912 cheaper Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS is the rational Malaysian choice if five seats, a 610-litre boot and lower RM1,840 annual road tax matter. Its two motors produce 649 hp and 950 Nm, cutting 0-100 km/h to 3.8 seconds, while the 108.4-kWh battery claims 571 km of range. The Lotus Emira costs more but is the focused two-seat alternative: 1,405 kg, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual behind its 400-hp supercharged 3.5-litre V6. Pick it for that specific sports-car format, not practicality.
Pick the Lotus Emira if you want a 1,405-kg rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual and supercharged 400-hp V6.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS if you need five seats, 610 litres of luggage space and 649 hp electric performance for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Lotus Emira RM1,131,800; Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS RM798,888.
- Power and torque: Emira 400 hp and 420 Nm; AMG EQS 649 hp and 950 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Emira 4.3 seconds; AMG EQS 3.8 seconds.
- Kerb weight: Emira 1,405 kg; AMG EQS 2,700 kg.
- Seating and boot: Emira 2 seats and 151 litres; AMG EQS 5 seats and 610 litres.
- Annual road tax: Emira RM4,182; AMG EQS RM1,840.
Emira
- Six-speed manual with rear-wheel drive
- 1,405 kg versus 2,700 kg
- Five-year/150,000-km manufacturer warranty
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 4.3 seconds versus 3.8 seconds
- Only two seats and a 151-litre boot versus five seats and 610 litres
- Higher annual road tax: RM4,182 versus RM1,840
AMG EQS
- 649 hp and 950 Nm from two motors
- 571-km claimed EV range from a 108.4-kWh battery
- Ventilated, heated and massage front seats plus 360-degree camera
- 2,700 kg versus the Emira's 1,405 kg
- 5,216 mm long versus 4,412 mm
- Four-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,131,800 | RM798,888✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Sedan |
| Segment | Sports Car | Luxury |
| 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 | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 94 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 649 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 950 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 108.4 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 571 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 200 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Six-speed Manual | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.3 seconds | 3.8 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 220 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,412 mm | 5,216 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 1,926 mm |
| Height | 1,225 mm | 1,512 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,575 mm | 3,210 mm |
| Weight | 1,405 kg | 2,700 kg |
| Doors | 2 | 4 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 151 litres | 610 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/35R20 | 275/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/30R20 | 275/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 | Michelin Pilot Sport EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | United Kingdom (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" AMG Cross-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" AMG Cross-spoke Light-alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Touring or Sports Suspensions Available | AIRMATIC with Adaptive Damping System (ADS Plus) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side, Rear Seat Belt Bag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (up to 130 km/h) and Evasive Steering Assist (up to 108 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Pre-Safe, Pre-Safe Impulse Side, Driver Attention Monitor with Eye Tracking |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Projector LED | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam (Digital Light with Projection Function) |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats with Ventilation, Heating, Massage and Memory Functions |
| Rear Seats | — | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 2 USB-A, 1 USB-C | 1 Front, 6 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android, KEF Reference Audio | 17.7" OLED Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Augmented Reality Navigation; 12.3" OLED Touchscreen for Front Passenger; 15-speaker, 710-watt Burmester 3D Surround Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Automatic Front Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Entry | Keyless Operation |
| 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 Activated | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | No | 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 | — | Front MBUX Interior Assistant, Fingerprint Scanner, Front Qi Wireless Charger, Front Wireless Headset |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 10 Years/250,000 km Warranty for Traction Battery |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM4,182 | RM1,840✓ |
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 Emira & AMG EQS for sale
Emira vs AMG EQS FAQ
Is the Lotus Emira or Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS better?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS is better for daily use, carrying five people, luggage and covering distance electrically. The Lotus Emira is better only if a lightweight two-seat coupe, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual are the priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Emira costs RM332,912 more than the Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS.
How quickly can the Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS charge?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS accepts AC charging at up to 11 kW through a Type 2 port and DC charging at up to 200 kW through CCS. Its 108.4-kWh lithium-ion battery has a claimed range of 571 km.