New Lotus Emira replaces Elise, Exige and Evora

Previously known as Type 131, Lotus’s first all-new car for a dozen years will be the last new purely petrol-powered Lotus to be launched. After Emira, all future models – and yes they do include an SUV-type machine – will be electrified in some way or, like the Evija limited-edition hypercar, fully battery-electric.

It is thought there will be four and six-cylinder versions of the Emira, giving Lotus replacements for both the Elise and Exige which along with the Evora all go out of production in 2021. This year is a watershed moment in the life of Lotus product planning, a stepping stone in the firm’s Vision80 plan that aims to have a completely reinvented (and profitable!) company by the time of the marque’s  80^th anniversary in 2028. 

There is no word yet about whose engines the Emira will use; currently all models use Toyota power. All Lotus is saying is that one of the choices (possibly the four-cylinder) is the result of “an exciting new powertrain partnership”.

As for design, as of today we have some more teaser pictures to pore over. They do not show much but what they do show will surely be enough to get any Lotus fans’ juices flowing. The promise is of a good-looking mid-engined sportscar with many styling influences from the Evija.

“This year is a pivotal one for Lotus,” Lotus Cars MD Matt Windle tells us. “The spirit and passion that gave the world the Elise, Exige and Evora will live on in the next generation of cars like the Emira.”

And what does Emira mean? A commander or leader in ancient languages, apparently. At least it starts with an E…