Going in to drive the Lotus Emeya R, I was well aware of its hard-line specs: 905bhp, 985Nm, all-wheel-drive, and 0 to 100kmph in just 2.78 seconds — figures you’d usually find on the spec sheet of a serious supercar. The Emeya has the numbers to make Bologna’s or Stuttgart’s finest blush, but numbers don’t prepare you for the absolute absurdity of what it packs. It’s a cheeky, physics-bending hooligan that takes the rulebook, rolls it up, and lobs it out of the window. This Hyper GT is one of the quickest cars ever made, and when you tap into its full potential, let’s just say your grin will need its own recovery period.
Unveiled to the world in 2023, the Emeya marks a new chapter for Lotus — it’s the brand’s first-ever four-door, four-seater, and an electric one at that — aimed squarely at the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT. That’s why the Emeya comes in three variants, with outputs ranging from 603bhp all the way up to the manic 905bhp R, which is the only version to make it to Indian shores. It’s underpinned by Zeekr Technology’s Electric Premium Architecture — an 800-volt platform that enables DC fast charging at up to 350kW, allowing a 10 to 80 per cent top-up in just 20 minutes. Power comes from a 102kWh lithium-ion battery pack feeding a dual-motor set-up, paired with a two-speed gearbox — but more on that later. First, we need to talk about the Emeya’s design, because it’s a stark departure from what Lotus is traditionally known for.
No, it’s not the first car to debut this design language — that was the equally bonkers Eletre SUV — but I think it suits the Emeya better. I honestly can’t get over how stunning this car looks in the metal. The cab-forward stance, short and sharp bonnet, that swooping roofline, and those wide haunches — it all comes together beautifully. Then there are the little touches: the sharp creases, the hidden aero bits, the sheer attention to detail. It looks every bit as premium as its price tag suggests — starting at ₹2.7 crore (ex-showroom) and easily going north of ₹3 crore with a few options. Up front, the Emeya features a split headlight setup, with a pair of razor sharp, vertically stacked DRLs on either side and the main headlamps positioned lower down within the aggressive front bumper. It also gets an active front grille with petal-like triangular elements that come together to form hexagonal motifs. In profile, it rides on 21-inch alloy wheels as standard, with larger 22- and even 23-inch units available as optional extras. There are flush door handles, flush-fit LiDAR sensors integrated into the sides, the roof, and even the rear, along with frameless doors, that maintain a sleek and uncluttered appearance. But arguably, the best view of the Emeya is from the rear. It sports an active spoiler, a pair of slim tail-lights connected by a full-width light bar, and a massive rear diffuser. One option buyers should definitely consider ticking is the exterior carbon fibre pack, which subtly adds carbon elements to both ends of the car, and the exterior mirrors — dialling up the visual drama without going over the top. And for anyone who loves black, the Stellar Black colour is a no-brainer — it gives the Emeya a menacing, Batmobile-esque flair. The amount of attention it caught during our shoot really took me aback, especially given the subtle black shade. This is one of those stunning cars that look like they’re going a gazillion miles an hour, even when standing still, and the buyers will certainly appreciate that.
Getting into the Emeya is an experience in itself. The automatic doors glide open with a sense of drama, setting the tone for what’s to come. Step inside, and you're greeted by a cabin that oozes craftsmanship and modern luxury. Every surface is draped in either eco-friendly leather or Alcantara, and the attention to detail is impeccable — easily rivalling the upper echelon of high-end luxury cars. No, it may not feel luxurious in the old-school, wood-and-chrome kind of way, but this is a bold, futuristic interior that gets it absolutely right. The four-spoke suede steering wheel is drop-dead gorgeous with tactile buttons and feels incredible to hold, but the coolest bit on the inside is the electro chrome glass roof that can be dimmed, complete with bespoke patterns, at the touch. Taking centre stage on the dashboard is a 15.1-inch landscape touchscreen running Lotus’ Hyper OS which, at first might seem a bit intimidating to use, but once you get habitual to it, it’s very intuitive and super smooth. What I don’t like is the fact that the air-con vent direction adjustability is also hidden into it, like the Emeya’s arch German rival, which does get annoying. Plus the feed from the 360-degree camera is far from what you’d want on a car of this class. The centre console has two cup holders, a wireless charging pad, knurled buttons for air-con temperature control and a storage space at the back.
The driver gets a slim OLED 12.3-inch digital display behind the steering wheel and a passenger information display above the glovebox. The Emeya can be opted with either five seats, or four individual four bucket seats, with a partition at the rear, featuring heating, ventilation and massaging functions. Rear occupants get an 8-inch touchscreen to control all the functions, and each passenger gets its own cup holder. As expected the Emeya is a tech-laden mothership, with features like Level 2 ADAS which is upgradable to Level 4 when regulations allow, facial recognition, KEF surround sound system, wireless charger, ambient lighting, the works. But enough hullabloo about its tech and features, lets get into the meat of the matter – its performance, this is a Lotus after all.
“Simplify, then add lightness” — that was the guiding philosophy of Lotus founder Colin Chapman. For decades, Lotus cars have been revered for their lightweight construction, razor-sharp handling, and pure, unfiltered driving feel. And while the Emeya weighs nearly three times as much as an Elise, it still manages to impress — staying true to the spirit of performance that defines the badge. This is a 2.5-plus tonne behemoth, yet the way it masks its weight is nothing short of jaw-dropping. And I’m not just talking about the blistering straight-line speed — the 2.7 seconds it takes to hit 100 kmph from a standstill is seriously impressive. It just keeps on pulling thanks to 985Nm of torque, and the two-speed transmission, which offers an almost hurting get away, but what’s even more remarkable, though, is the way it handles. The Emeya comes with electric power steering that offers two modes, paired with multi-link active air suspension combining dual-chamber air springs and continuous damping control. As part of the ‘Dynamic Handling Pack,’ it also features intelligent anti-roll control and rear-wheel steering. The steering is light at city speeds, but firms up beautifully at higher velocities. While it may not feel quite as direct as the system in a Porsche Taycan, it’s impressively responsive. I’m also a fan of how the Emeya rides.
The suspension is remarkably supple, and when you really push it, the system does an excellent job of keeping things composed. The anti-roll system shines when cornering hard, maintaining stability through bends, while the dual-chamber air suspension adapts to rougher roads, softening the ride for improved comfort as it constantly scans the surface 1000 times per second. Rear-wheel steering is another impressive feature, tightening the turning radius at low speeds for effortless U-turns, and enhancing high-speed stability when cornering. Despite its large size, the Emeya feels incredibly stable and changes direction with remarkable poise. The torque vectoring helps with putting down power, especially in the corners. As for the brakes, the R is equipped with massive six-pot front and four-pot rear calipers, paired with 412mm and 397mm brake discs respectively. They do an outstanding job of shedding speed, even in the most demanding conditions. For those seeking even more performance, there’s the option to upgrade to carbon-ceramic discs. There's a three-step regen, and what’s better is that you can adjust it on the fly using the left paddle behind the steering wheel — press down to reduce it, or pull up to increase it. The Emeya offers five distinct drive modes: Range, Tour, Sport, Individual, and Track. These can be toggled through the touchscreen or, more conveniently, via the right paddle shifter. Even in Range mode, the Emeya has plenty of power for swift, urgent overtakes. But when it comes to Track mode, it’s best reserved for when you’re fully dialled in — it’s a whole different animal that demands your complete focus, because it enables all the power and switches off traction control completely. I’ve never flown on the Concorde, but launching the Emeya in Track mode feels like the moment afterburners fire up — pure, unrelenting thrust that launches you forward like a jet. And you’ve got to be cautious — the moment you floor it, all four tyres break loose, and the car shoots forward with torque steer so intense, it feels like you’re holding on for dear life.
Lotus has always been about pure, exhilarating driving experiences, and while the Emeya R is certainly a departure from its usual lightweight, razor-sharp cars, it still stays true to the brand’s DNA. It might weigh in at over 2.5 tons, but it doesn’t drive like it. It’s the kind of car that grabs your attention from the moment you set your eyes on it, all the way till you’re gobsmacked by its crazy performance. But what sets it apart from its rivals is its versatility. The Emeya R isn’t just fast — it’s so comfortable, so refined, so effortlessly quick that you start to wonder if all performance EVs should have this kind of grace. It may not have the clinical sharpness of a Porsche Taycan, but it more than makes up for it with a level of versatility that’ll have you grinning like a kid every time you get behind the ’wheel.
