by British Lotus dealers sharply cut prices on the electric Emeya sedan
Automakers worldwide are mass-revising their plans for a full transition to electric vehicles, and Lotus is no exception. The Geely-owned brand is developing hybrid versions of its Emeya sedan and Eletre SUV, but until they arrive, dealers must find buyers for the electric versions. And they are offering huge discounts.
On the British Autotrader website, 15 brand-new, unregistered examples of Lotus’s Porsche Taycan competitor are currently listed. Their prices would make those who paid full price for these electric vehicles when they first went on sale in 2024 weep.
Biggest discounts on the flagship Emeya R
The most impressive deals concern the flagship Emeya R. Its dual-motor setup producing 905 hp (918 hp / 675 kW) allows the zero-emission sedan to accelerate to 62 mph in under 2.8 seconds. We found the biggest saving on a Kaimi Grey car at dealer Endeavour Lotus West London. Originally priced at £140,105 ($189,330), it has now been reduced to £89,950 ($121,550). That’s a 40 percent discount (£50,155 / $67,900).
Nearby, in Hatfield, another dealer is offering two new Emeya R at a price significantly below the recommended one. One of them promises savings of £43,755 ($59,130). And a few hours’ drive northeast of the capital, Endeavour Lotus Colchester has also reduced prices on another four Emeya R by similar amounts.
New car, but old badge
Technically, the R version is already an outdated model, as Lotus changed its trim structure from Base, S, R to the 600 and 900 names, which indicate power output. However, the powertrains remain unchanged, so these heavily discounted Emeya Rs look very attractive compared to the new 900 Sport at £129,990 ($175,660) or the 900 Carbon at £139,990 ($189,180).
If you wish to purchase an Emeya in its current specification, dealers are also offering substantial discounts. For example, £15,000 ($20,300) is being taken off the price of a brand new Emeya 600 GT with 603 hp (612 hp / 450 kW), which with options would have cost £95,000 ($128,400).
Hybrids coming this year
Lotus is working on a hybrid version of the Emeya. It is expected to match the specifications of the oddly named Lotus For Me — a new petrol-electric version of the Eletre SUV for the Chinese market. Combining a 2.0-liter internal combustion engine, a dual-motor 900-volt electrical system, and a 70 kWh battery, the hybrid Eletre develops 939 hp (952 hp / 700 kW). It is expected to appear in Western markets (sans the silly name) later this year. The hybrid version of the Emeya should not be far behind.
Would these huge discounts tempt you to buy an Emeya, would you wait for the hybrid, or would you turn down this Anglo-Chinese Taycan rival altogether?
Such aggressive pricing policy indicates serious difficulties in selling Lotus electric models in traditional markets. Discounts of up to 40% are not just a marketing ploy, but a forced move to clear warehouses before the arrival of hybrid versions, which are likely to have greater demand among buyers not ready to completely abandon the internal combustion engine. At the same time, for those considering a purely electric vehicle, the current offer is a unique opportunity to purchase a technologically advanced premium car at a significantly lower price.
