- New Lotus Emeya has completed an extensive three-year test and development program across 15 countries and two continents
- Cold-weather validation program in the Arctic Circle confirms Emeya can perform in the harshest conditions, including in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Farenheit
- Rigorous tuning and testing process ensures Emeya drives like a true Lotus – engaging and desirable, with safe handling so customers can maximize dynamic performance
London, UK – February 9, 2024
The Lotus Emeya hyper-GT has completed the final stage of an extensive three-year test and development program in the Arctic Circle, proving that it can perform in harsh conditions and frigid temperatures.
Over the winter, the all-electric grand tourer was in Ivalo, Finland – around 250 km inside the Artic Circle where temperatures in recent weeks have been as low as -13 degrees Fahrenheit. The Lotus engineering team also put Emeya in a local automotive “freezer” to test it to -40 degrees Fahrenheit.
The testing took place on a variety of terrains and conditions across 15 countries in two continents1, and consisted of two types of testing – controlled, which is done in consistent conditions, and real-world, which introduces new factors such as changing road surfaces and driving in traffic. The testing focused on a variety of functions, including:
- Chassis systems such as suspensions, steering, brakes, traction and stability controls – testing stability on ice and snow surfaces.
- Tire testing and development of bespoke Lotus winter tires that effectively support the handling and dynamics of the vehicle.
- Driver assistance functions, which help customers remain in control of the vehicle in situations where road markings and traffic signs may be obscured due to factors such as snow.
- Proving the unrestricted usability of the battery in extreme weather, both charging and discharging, to ensure consistency and repeatability.
- Testing and calibrating the air-conditioning and thermal management systems to ensure the car is as efficient and comfortable as possible in all conditions.
In addition to the extreme cold, Emeya also endured conditions as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and additional in-market testing will take place in the Middle East, United States and Australia ahead of deliveries in those markets.
“The testing process at Lotus is rigorous and covers a comprehensive performance assessment of everything from suspension and steering to battery and tires,” said Sylvain Verstraeten, Regional Vehicle Line Director, Emeya. “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.”
While meeting global regulatory targets is a vital part of the program, guaranteeing Emeya drives like a true Lotus is at the heart as the company transitions to become an all-electric tech-focused luxury performance brand.
“There are many elements of the Lotus DNA that have carried through all our vehicles since the very first one in 1948,” said Gavan Kershaw, Director of Attributes and Product Integrity, Lotus. Kershaw was involved in the process since he joined the company in 1988 at 16-years-old. “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 maximize the dynamic performance, and with the development work that’s gone into Emeya, they really can,” he said.
Emeya has many features that help make it the perfect companion in any environment, including the Arctic Circle. With Lotus advanced control systems and four-wheel drive, the vehicle excels in stability and is not compromised in extreme weather.
Customers will be able to remotely prepare their Emeya from the comfort of their homes via the Lotus App. They can set the cabin to the desired temperature, as well as turn on the heated or cooled seats and heated steering wheel2. This process can be completed in only a few minutes3 and allows customers to move from house to car with minimal discomfort.
Heated side cameras and mirrors prevent their vision from being impacted by condensation, snow or ice. The 55-inch head-up display – the largest and most advanced in any Lotus – has Snow Mode, which turns the display blue, helping the driver to see the outline of the road more easily against a white background.
For more information on Emeya and to make a reservation, please visit http://www.lotuscars.com/emeya.
1 Countries include the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, Netherland, Austria and China.
2 Heated seats and a heated steering wheel are optional extras.
3 Exact timing depends on factors such as outside temperature and desired cabin temperature.
About Lotus
Lotus is a global performance brand built on solid foundations and a rich heritage. Since the formation of Lotus in 1948, it has been pioneering true automotive innovation, introducing cutting-edge technologies and designs to meet its uncompromising vision of how a car should look, perform and feel. Lotus Group is made up of a high-performance sports car business, Lotus Cars, and an all-electric luxury mobility provider, Lotus Technology. Together, we are setting a new standard for automotive excellence.
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