Lotus in the midst of a schizophrenia crisis

At Lotus, it seems two opposing visions of the automobile are clashing, or even coexisting in a strange balance.

On one side, the Sino-British brand, now integrated into the Geely universe, is pushing hard for electrification with powerful, luxurious, and futuristic vehicles like the Lotus Eletre or Evija. On the other, it surprises us and delights purists with the launch of the new Emira V6 SE, a sports car with a thermal engine and manual transmission.

What to think of such a strategy? Is it a last hurrah for the thermal engine or a deliberate choice to preserve Lotus’s DNA? One thing is certain, one would dream of being able to attend the brand’s strategic committee meetings!

The Emira V6 SE is anything but a technological compromise; it symbolizes an era that many consider completely over. It features a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 that produces 400 hp, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds, and offers what few modern cars still allow: a six-speed manual transmission. The automatic gearbox is indeed available, but as an option, which we see as a unique case. More than a technical choice, it’s a declaration of intent. Lotus wants to continue speaking to enthusiasts, to those who experience the road as a sensory and mechanical adventure, far from the silent accelerations of electric SUVs.

Enjoy it while you still can…

And yet, in the same catalog, the brand offers 100% electric models, loaded with driving aids, screens, and luxury. How to explain this apparent schizophrenia?

The answer may be simple: Lotus wants to have it all. To cater to the tech-savvy Chinese clientele, while maintaining the emotional aura of a legendary manufacturer in the eyes of European purists. The coexistence of the Emira V6 SE and the electric behemoths is therefore not a contradiction, but a dual strategy: capturing new markets without renouncing the historical soul of the brand.

It remains to be seen how long this dual identity can hold without a false note. But in the meantime, pure driving enthusiasts can still check a box that has become rare: rear-wheel drive, V6 engine, mechanical supercharger instead of the usual turbos, and manual transmission… all wearing the Lotus badge. However, this little indulgence from the past comes at a price, and it’s not insignificant. Expect to pay €117,500 (German price) plus a €70,000 penalty if you decide to register it in France.

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