Lotus For Under $30k??? on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Lotus CUV sets sights on Macan

The idea of a minimalist sportscar brand like Lotus actually building a crossover, as opposed to its APX concept, is still a bit hard to comprehend. But survival in the modern automotive landscape isn't easy, and a higher-volume model could do a lot to keep the lights on. Hot off the debut of the feather-light 3-Eleven at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, company CEO Jean-Marc Gales is now divulging some more details about the future model. At the moment, Lotus plans to launch the crossover in 2019, and the company has some rather specific targets in mind. "We want to get SUVs to be light and fast. The nearest rival will be the Porsche Macan – but ours will be better," Gales said to Auto Express. Rumors suggest the use of aluminum and composites with the goal for a weight as much as 400-500 pounds less than Porsche's smaller CUV. The model will be exclusive to the Chinese market at launch. While the Lotus crossover is under serious planning, actual development isn't underway yet. According to Auto Express, the company and its Chinese joint venture partner are still waiting for a license to build cars there. Once that comes, they intend to kick things into high gear. Gales also suggested that a Toyota-sourced powertrain, possibly a hybrid, was in the cards.

New 2024 Lotus Emira priced at just under six figures

Unveiled in 2021, and delayed earlier in 2023 allegedly due to certification-related issues, the 2024 Lotus Emira is finally ready to turn its wheels on American pavement. The coupe appears on the firm's online configurator, but it costs significantly more than initially announced. Buyers will have two Emira flavors to choose from. The entry-level car uses a Mercedes-AMG-sourced 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that's turbocharged to develop 360 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It spins the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Next up is a supercharged, 3.5-liter V6 provided by Toyota and rated at 400 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder spins the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission, though a six-speed automatic that bumps the torque figure to 317 is a $2,150 option. Pricing for the base Emira starts at $99,900 excluding destination fee, which hasn't been published yet, while the V6-powered car carries a base price of $105,400. Note that these figures only apply to the First Edition model; Lotus hasn't detailed or priced the other available trim levels. For context, the Geely-owned British brand initially announced prices of $85,900 and $93,300 for the four-cylinder- and V6-powered models, respectively. An earlier report blames the increases on the supply chain-related constraints that have plagued most carmakers since 2020. Enthusiasts configuring an Emira have a long list of options to choose from. Lotus offers Touring and Sport chassis configurations (the latter brings a firmer suspension system), 13 paint colors, a Black Pack that bundles black exterior trim pieces, and three wheel designs. Inside, you've got several leather and Alcantara upholsteries to choose from plus a vehicle tracker, a HomeLink transceiver, and tinted windows. Lotus dealers across the nation will begin receiving the V6-powered Emira First Edition in the third quarter of 2023, while buyers waiting in line for a four-cylinder-powered model won't get their car until the first quarter of 2024. Additional trim levels should join the range later on. Related video:

Lotus is giving the electric Evija a V8-inspired soundtrack

Sound is a big part of the Lotus experience, whether it comes from a four- or a six-cylinder engine, so the company doesn't want its first electric car to be completely silent. It enlisted the help of music producer Patrick Patrikios to remix the Type 49 Formula One car's V8 into a series of sounds that will be programmed into the upcoming Evija. Patrikios comes from the music industry, he has notably worked with artists like Sia and Britney Spears, but he welcomed the collaboration with Lotus because he's been a fan of the brand since his father showed him an Esprit when he was a kid. He set out to create a new range of sounds that fits the Evija's character while honoring the carmaker's heritage, a task that's difficult to accomplish. Luckily, Lotus has several sonorous engines on its resume. "There's a purity to that V8, a raw edge and an emotion that stirs something in your soul, just like the best songs," summed up the producer when asked why he chose the eight-cylinder that powered the Type 49 to victory. Lotus Evija and Lotus Type 49 View 3 Photos After recording the Type 49's exhaust note, he began digitally remastering it and realized that slowing it down put it on a frequency similar to the natural driving sound emitted by the Evija. "I adjusted the replay speeds and digital filtering of the Type 49 to generate a soundscape for the Evija – it was a very organic process," he said. You can listen to the sound created by Patrikios in the video above; it's what pedestrians will hear when the Evija speeds by. He also developed the various chimes and tones that will resonate through the cabin, like when the turn signals are activated or when a seatbelt isn't fastened. Lotus previously confirmed that the Evija will influence future cars, and we know additional EVs are in the pipeline, so the sound could spread to other models.