The fully-electric Lotus Emeya saloon has been undergoing ‘rigorous’ winter testing ahead of a full launch later this year.
And if the Emya can withstand minus -25 degree C temperatures in the Arctic Circle, it can cope with a rainy-day commute here in Blighty.
In case you need reminding, the battery-powered Emeya is a ‘Hyper GT’ saloon boasting power of up to 905 hp, peak torque of 985 Nm, and a 0-62mph acceleration time of just 2.8 seconds.
It’s a key rival to the most potent versions of the Porsche Taycan, and will also compete with the Audi RS e-tron GT.
Ahead of customer deliveries beginning later this year, the Emeya has been blatting about on the frozen plains of northern Finland as Lotus attempts to prove that its battery tech can work even in the harshest of conditions.
As if the ambient -25 degrees Celsius weren’t low enough, the Emeya was even put into a local ‘automotive freezer’ to test it to -40 degrees Celsius!
Sylvain Verstraeten, Regional Vehicle Line Director, Emeya, said: “The testing process at Lotus is rigorous and covers a comprehensive performance assessment of everything from suspension and steering through to battery and tyres. Emeya is the ultimate all-electric grand tourer, designed and engineered to deliver the optimum driving experience for our customers 365 days a year and in all conditions. We’re incredibly excited for customers to be able to experience Emeya for themselves.”
Despite the Emeya being a four-door electric saloon - something hardly synonymous with the British firm - the GT will still ‘drive like a true Lotus’.
That’s according to Gavan Kershaw, Director of Attributes and Product Integrity at Lotus, who adds: “There are many elements of the Lotus DNA which have been carried through all our vehicles since the very first one in 1948. A Lotus should be engaging and desirable, but also safe and predictable. That doesn’t mean boring – in fact, just the opposite! Drivers need to know they can trust their car so they can maximise the dynamic performance, and with the development work that’s gone into Emeya, they really can.”
Besides creature comforts like heated seats and a heated steering wheel, the Emeya will also boast a massive 55-inch head-up display – ‘the largest and most advanced in any Lotus’.
The Emeya is expected to be priced from around £90,000 to purchase outright, and we’ll bring you leasing costs as and when they arrive.
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