![\"Lotus](\"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lotus-emira-set-for-2027-plug-in-hybrid-makeover-with-advanced-hyper-hybrid-tech.jpg\" "\\"Lotus")
<\/a><\/p>\nSports car will gain same ‘Hyper Hybrid’ technology being developed for the brand’s EVs<\/p>\n
Lotus has confirmed it is planning a plug-in hybrid version of the Emira sports car<\/a> as well as an \u2018upgrade\u2019 to the V6 model as part of a facelift timed to comply with the Euro 7 emissions regulation change in 2027.<\/p>\n Lotus<\/a> CEO Feng Qingfeng told analysts on the company\u2019s second quarter results call the model would gain the same \u2018Hyper Hybrid<\/a>\u2019 technology scheduled to be rolled out first in an SUV model later this year, expected to be the Eletre<\/a>.<\/p>\n The current four-cylinder turbocharged Emira, which uses a Mercedes-AMG<\/a> powerplant, appears to on the chopping block amid the EU7 makeover. The V6 uses a Toyota<\/a> engine but Lotus has previously said that can\u2019t be upgraded to meet the EU7 regulations.<\/p>\n The inclusion of plug-in hybrid technology in the Emira as part of a closer cooperation between the Chinese-based Lotus Tech division and Lotus Cars in the UK, which focuses on sports cars.<\/p>\n Feng made no reference to the Thursday 28 announcement that Lotus would cut around 40 percent\u00a0of the workforce<\/a> in the UK \u2013 550 jobs \u2013 but said that the recent decision to combine Lotus Tech with Lotus Cars<\/a>\u00a0would bring efficiencies.<\/p>\n \u201cWe see big room for efficiency improvements while we consolidate a lot of the functions together, including the technology synergies,\u201d Feng said.<\/p>\n The CEO confirmed his commitment to the UK arm, which had been rocked by news \u2013 since denied \u2013 that Lotus wanted to move production<\/a> out of the UK<\/p>\n \u201cWe have ambitious goals for the Lotus Cars operation in the future,\u201d Feng said. \u201cWe will focus on the very high performance attributes and also high-performance engineering services.\u201d<\/p>\n Lotus\u2019s commitment to the future of the Emira will bring a sigh of relief to those remaining workers at the company\u2019s production plant in Hethel, Norfolk, who faced an uncertain future as the planned electric replacement was halted while sales in the US plummeted on the imposition of higher tariffs in April.<\/p>\n Lotus deliveries in the first half slumped by almost half to 2813 as the company halted Emira exports to its key US market on the tariff increase. Emira deliveries fell 64% to just 891 in the first half. Exports to the US resumed in July after the UK government negotiated cut in the tariffs from 27.5% to 15%<\/p>\n Lotus posted a net loss of $313 million (\u00a3230 million) for the first half of 2025, an improvement from the previous half-year performance, when it lost $424 million.<\/p>\n Lotus has pivoted to plug-in hybrids after sales of its electric Eletre SUV and Emeya<\/a> saloon fell short of ambitious targets amid a wider reluctance among luxury car buyers to move to electric. \u201cWe will actively promoting our Hyper Hybrid technology,\u201d Feng said on the call.<\/p>\n