The Lotus Emira’s V6 is unable to meet emissions standards, so it might be equipped with a V8 instead.

      Lotus

      Get The Drive’s daily newsletter

      Stay updated with the latest car news, reviews, and features.

      Lotus is facing a challenge with the Emira. Although the supercharged V6 and manual transmission pairing has been popular, the company needs a new option quickly. The 3.5-liter Toyota-sourced engine will not meet emissions standards when Euro 7 regulations come into effect in 2026. To ensure compliance and attract American buyers, it seems that Lotus is, surprisingly, exploring the idea of a V8.

      According to Autocar, during a recent earnings call, Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng informed investors that “We are currently investigating the feasibility of the V8.” In the memorable words of Keanu Reeves: Woah.

      So, why a V8? The Emira already has another engine option; why not stick with that one? It’s because the alternative is a four-cylinder engine. Specifically, it’s the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from Mercedes-AMG, producing 400 brake horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, and it’s paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. Sounds good, so what's the problem? Apparently, the issue lies with American buyers. The four-cylinder Emira hasn’t gained enough traction in the U.S. market for Lotus to feel confident in selling the model here without offering a larger engine option.

      “The U.S. is a critically important market for us for this car. It always has been. So, we’re analyzing market demand for the product moving forward,” said Matt Windle, CEO of Lotus Cars in Europe, to Autocar.

      If Lotus intends to install a V8 into the compact mid-engine Emira, its primary option appears to be Mercedes-AMG’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. “There are opportunities with the current engine supplier, so we’re looking into it,” Windle noted.

      While the idea of a powerful AMG engine in a mid-engine Lotus is thrilling, it may not be practical. The torquey, twin-turbo engine wouldn’t align with the Emira's lightweight sports car characteristics, and it is currently available only with an automatic transmission. One of the V6’s appealing traits, and the reason for its popularity in the U.S., is that it offers a manual shifting option. This is especially relevant given that, according to Autocar, Qingfeng's announcement of a potential V8 was prompted by a U.S. dealer's request for a more powerful and aggressive Emira to compete with the Porsche 911 GT3. A loud V8 with an automatic transmission is not suitable for that purpose.

      However, tariffs are also a consideration. The U.S. and the UK have agreed to a reduced tariff on imported UK-built vehicles, now down to 10%. This lower tariff is something Lotus can utilize, but it has yet to resume shipments to the U.S.

      “The major figures have been released, but the specifics haven’t been fully clarified,” Windle stated. “There’s product ready to ship, but we don’t want to rush and end up facing issues.”

      Therefore, launching production of a new V8 model based solely on its potential popularity in the U.S. market would be premature until market feasibility is clearer.

      Creating a V8 model is not as simple as just machining new engine mounts and transmission adapters. While fitting a V8 engine is likely manageable, especially if Lotus can negotiate for a smaller displacement V8, possibly from Cosworth rather than AMG, that’s merely the start of the development process. Emissions testing must ensure compliance with Euro 7 regulations and beyond. After that, crash testing and homologation for diverse market requirements must be completed. The entire development process for a new engine is lengthy and costly, so Lotus must assess whether it’s worth the investment.

      For the same reasons, it is likely we won’t see a Hemi V8 in the upcoming Charger. Although technically feasible, the development costs for an engine that will soon fail to meet emissions standards are likely too high. The same situation may arise for Lotus and the Emira.

      That said, Lotus can still introduce a more powerful engine. There are numerous robust six-cylinder engines it could adopt that will remain emissions-compliant beyond 2026. Lotus certainly has choices. Nonetheless, it’s encouraging that the brand is even contemplating a V8, however improbable in this era of downsizing and hybridization. Thus, while the likelihood is low, Lotus deserves recognition for publicly considering a V8 Emira. Let’s hope that whatever engine replaces the current V6 continues to offer a manual option.

      Got tips? Send them to [email protected]