- New Lotus Emeya has completed an
extensive three-year test and development programme across 15 countries
and two continents
- Cold-weather validation programme in the
Arctic Circle confirms Emeya can perform in the harshest conditions,
including in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius
- Rigorous tuning and testing process
ensures Emeya drives like a true Lotus – engaging and desirable, with safe
handling so customers can maximise dynamic performance
- Deliveries to customers start later this
year. Visit www.lotuscars.com/emeya to find out more
London, UK – 9 February 2024 The Lotus Emeya hyper-GT completed the final stage of a rigorous
global test and development programme in one of the world’s harshest
environments.
Over the winter, the all-electric grand tourer was
in Ivalo, Finland, as Lotus engineers conclude their validation work. Around
250km inside the Arctic Circle, temperatures in recent weeks have been as low
as -25 degrees Celsius… and still the team has put the car in a local
automotive ‘freezer’ to test it to -40 degrees Celsius.
It’s the culmination of a stringent three-year test
and development programme across 15 countries in two continents1, supported by
Lotus’ global engineering teams. It took place on a variety of terrain and
conditions; from the UK's challenging B-roads to the smooth and fast-flowing
German autobahn, through the highest Alpine passes and the remoteness of Inner
Mongolia. Testing also took place at race tracks such as the Nürburgring
Nordschleife and at proving grounds like the high-speed loop near the southern
Italian town of Nardò.
As well as extreme cold, Emeya also endured
conditions as high as 40 degrees Celsius in these environments. Additional
in-market testing will take place in the Middle East, United States and
Australia ahead of deliveries in these markets.
Sylvain Verstraeten, Regional Vehicle Line
Director, Emeya, said: “The testing process at Lotus is rigorous and covers a
comprehensive performance assessment of everything from suspension and steering
through to battery and tyres. Emeya is the ultimate all-electric grand tourer,
designed and engineered to deliver the optimum driving experience for our
customers 365 days a year and in all conditions. We’re incredibly excited for
customers to be able to experience Emeya for themselves.”
During the Arctic testing programme, Lotus’
engineers focused on testing Emeya in various ways, including:
· Chassis
systems such as suspensions, steering, brakes and traction and stability
controls, to ensure stability of the vehicle in various conditions and on
surfaces such as ice and snow.
· Tyre testing
and development of bespoke Lotus winter tyres that effectively support the
handling and dynamics of the vehicle.
· Driver
assistance functions, which help customers remain in control of the vehicle in
situations where road markings and traffic signs may be obscured due to
external factors such as snow.
· Proving the
unrestricted usability of the battery in extreme weather, both charging and
discharging, to ensure consistency and repeatability.
· Testing and
calibrating the air-conditioning and thermal management systems to ensure the
car is as efficient and comfortable as possible in all conditions.
Two types of testing took place during Emeya’s
development – controlled and real-world. Controlled testing means consistent
conditions must exist. For example, during tyre tests the surface must remain
consistent to allow meaningful comparisons. Real-world testing then proves the
controlled results, introducing new factors such as changing road surfaces and
driving in traffic
Meeting global regulatory targets is obviously a
vital part of the programme, but at the heart of it is one key internal target
– to guarantee Emeya drives like a true Lotus. As the company transitions to
become an all-electric tech-focused luxury performance brand, staying true to
the roots of what makes Lotus a Lotus is paramount.
Gavan Kershaw, Director of Attributes and Product
Integrity, Lotus, was
involved in that process since he joined the company in 1988 as a 16-year-old.
He commented: “There are many elements of the Lotus DNA which have been carried
through all our vehicles since the very first one in 1948. A Lotus should be
engaging and desirable, but also safe and predictable. That doesn’t mean boring
– in fact, just the opposite! Drivers need to know they can trust their car so
they can maximise the dynamic performance, and with the development work that’s
gone into Emeya, they really can.”
As a true grand tourer, Emeya has many features
which help to make it the perfect companion in any environment, including the
Arctic Circle. With Lotus advanced control systems and four-wheel drive, the
vehicle excels in stability, handling and control, meaning the drivability of
Emeya is not compromised in extreme weather.
Customers can remotely prepare their car from the
comfort of their own home via the Lotus App. They can set the cabin to the
desired temperature as well as turn on the heated seats and the heated steering
wheel2. This process can be completed in only a few minutes3 and allows
customers to move from house to car with minimal discomfort. The same of course
applies in hot climates, where customers can cool the cabin and seats before
entering their vehicle.
In addition, heated side cameras and mirrors
prevent their vision being impacted by condensation, snow or ice. The 55-inch
head-up display – the largest and most advanced in any Lotus – has Snow Mode
which turns the display blue, helping the driver to see the outline of the road
more easily against a white background.
For more information on Emeya, and to make a
reservation, please visit www.lotuscars.com/emeya.
1 - Countries include the United Kingdom, Ireland,
France, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Germany,
Switzerland, Netherland, Austria and China.
2 - Heated seats and a heated steering wheel are
optional extras.
3 - Exact timing depends on factors such as outside
temperature and desired cabin temperature.
Commentaires
Enregistrer un commentaire