Why the Lotus Emeya Could Have Been More “Lotusy”
The Lotus Emeya, an electric super-saloon, has been making waves in the automotive world. With its impressive power and spacious interior, it offers a unique alternative to the Porsche Taycan. However, during a recent test drive in Austria, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the Emeya fell slightly short of its potential. It wasn’t until later that I realized why: Polestar.
Polestar, originally Volvo’s performance EV subsidiary and now a standalone brand within the Geely empire, is set to release its own competitor to the Taycan, called the snouty 5. Unlike the Emeya, which is developed in Germany, the 5 is being developed in the UK by a team of engineers with a focus on lightweight construction and exceptional handling. This team has been given the freedom to design the axle and steering systems from scratch, resulting in a low-slung car that prioritizes driving experience over complex electronics.
What makes this situation perplexing is that Geely, the Chinese conglomerate that controls both Volvo and Polestar, also owns Lotus. With all three brands falling under the same umbrella, it would make sense for resources and expertise to be shared. Yet, while Polestar takes a purist engineering approach for its Taycan fighter, the Emeya shares its platform with other vehicles like the Zeekr 009 and Smart #1.
The Emeya is undoubtedly a good car, but it could have been even more “Lotusy” if it had followed the same approach as the 5. By allowing the Emeya’s team, based near Frankfurt, to develop a bespoke platform or at least use the 5’s platform, Lotus could have created a vehicle that truly embodies its legacy of driving pleasure and performance.
It’s akin to Audi being given the opportunity to develop a completely new chassis for the TT while Porsche has to adapt a VW Golf platform for the Boxster. The decision doesn’t quite make sense from a brand perspective.
In conclusion, while the Lotus Emeya is a commendable electric super-saloon, it falls short of its full potential due to the lack of a bespoke engineering approach. If Lotus had taken inspiration from Polestar’s commitment to lightweight construction and exceptional handling, the Emeya could have been a true driver’s car. Hopefully, in future iterations, Lotus will have the opportunity to develop its own platform or collaborate more closely with Polestar to create a vehicle that truly embodies the spirit of Lotus.
