by Lotus changes engine suppliers for Emira
Lotus appears to be abandoning the use of Toyota and Mercedes-AMG engines in its Emira model. Instead, according to reports, a new powertrain from Horse Powertrain will be installed, which has caused considerable surprise among enthusiasts.
New engine from Horse Powertrain
According to information from Autocar, the updated Emira will appear in 2028 and will use a new 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged engine developed by Horse Powertrain. This is a joint venture created by Lotus’s parent company Geely and Renault, which until now has been associated mainly with low-power hybrids rather than sports cars.
Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng stated that the decision was largely driven by customer demand, especially in America.
“They told us they love the V6 engine, and in fact the V6 version is our bestseller in the US market,” Feng said in an interview with Autocar.
The new engine looks promising on paper. Horse claims the V6 produces up to 536 hp (544 PS / 400 kW) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque without hybrid boost, while weighing just 160 kg. The company states this makes it the lightest V6 available today, approximately 10 kg lighter than any competing engine.
The world’s smallest hybrid V6
Horse introduced the engine at the Beijing Auto Show last month, calling it the W30. It is specifically designed for hybrid applications and is paired with a four-speed hybrid transmission with integrated electric motors. The system supports mild hybrid and full hybrid configurations, and can also function as a range extender.
Horse CEO Matias Giannini told the publication that the engine’s compact size was made possible by a modular design based on existing four-cylinder technology.
“That’s why it is so competitive, and currently it is the lightest and smallest hybrid V6 in the world. There is no hybrid V6 engine that fits into the same space as ours,” Giannini said.
This transition also gives Lotus greater control over future developments while likely reducing long-term costs. Instead of purchasing engines from Toyota and AMG, Geely can now keep everything within its growing corporate ecosystem.
New Esprit in 2028
And it seems this will not be limited to the Emira alone. Lotus is also preparing a new hybrid V8 supercar, which is expected to revive the Esprit name. The V8 reportedly shares architecture with the new V6 and could produce over 986 hp (1000 PS) with electrical assistance.
Most importantly for dedicated Lotus fans: the new Esprit, set to arrive in 2028, is planned to be produced at the plant in Hethel, UK, alongside the Emira, helping to secure the future of the brand’s historic factory.
This move is strategically important for Lotus and its parent company Geely. Abandoning third-party engine suppliers in favor of Horse Powertrain’s own developments not only reduces costs and standardizes production but also provides more freedom in integrating hybrid technologies. Considering the new V6 is one of the lightest and most compact in its class, this could be a significant advantage for the dynamics and handling of future models. Meanwhile, the emergence of a powerful hybrid V8 for the revived Esprit indicates that Lotus is not abandoning the idea of creating true supercars, adapting them to modern demands for environmental friendliness and efficiency. Thus, the British brand is betting on evolution rather than revolution, retaining internal combustion engines but supplementing them with electrification.
