New Emira then a host of electric models seem likely – but first, it’s hello to two old timers in clearance trim.

FRESH national representation for Lotus has been announced just as the brand is releasing its last petrol car and tracking toward an electric rebirth.

 Lotus Auckland, part of Giltrap Group, will operate out of a dedicated showroom currently under construction that will be the go-to for all sales, servicing and parts supply for the entire country.

This is a busy time for Lotus. Just a week ago it confirmed intent to pivot its resources to all-electric vehicles from next year, with two sports utilities, one sedan and a sports car due to launch by 2026.

However, everything new is all in the future for the New Zealand operation that ends a brand hiatus of some years.  

Model availability timings mean it will kick off with the last of the old Lotus portfolio; two core cars that have cumulatively clocked almost half a century of service.

The ‘Final Edition’ versions (above) of the Elise and its hardtop spin-off, the Exige, are run-outs of long-lived models – the first is in its 25th year, the second its 21st -  and so are essentially stocking fillers as the car that replaces both, the Emira, won’t enter production until early next year. 

The latter was only revealed to the world in July and no indication of when it is going to be seen here, though next year seems the logical probability as the end-of-run models are not high-volume products.

The Elise will avail in Sport 240 Final Edition and the Elise Cup 250 Final Edition while Exige will provision in Sport 390 Final Edition, Sport 420 Final Edition and Cup 430 Final Edition formats. No pricing is given. 

The last of the line editions are specially trimmed and carry commemorative plaques. The Cup car is touted as a track model. 

The big attraction thereafter is the Emira. Cited as the last petrol-powered car to be launched by Lotus, it initially provides with a Toyota-sourced supercharged 3.5-litre V6 that has already served in Exige. 

From mid-2022 a 2.0-litre model with a turbo four-cylinder from Mercedes-AMG will also be produced. It’s packing the same engine and dual-clutch automatic gearbox found in the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S hyper hatchback, albeit with an intake and exhaust system tailored to suit the new sports car.

The six-cylinder Emira will come with power in the region of between 270kW and 300kW, depending on which transmission it is provisioned – it comes in six-speed manual and six-speed automatic.

An optimal 0-100kmh time of 4.5 seconds is quoted. As emissions legislation changes, it's likely that the V6 will be phased out to leave the AMG engine as the sole option, but with varying power outputs that have yet to be shared.

The V6 has also been chosen for the Emira GT4, a race-ready track special that will make its competition debut in the 2022 GT4 European Series, competing against the likes of the BMW M4 and Porsche’s Cayman. Lotus has previously run the Evora in that category.

Emira in GT4 form is of course stripped of the road car's creature comforts. The engine makes 300kW with the help of a Harrop TVS 1900 supercharger and drops the road car transmissions for a paddle-operated six-speed xTrac sequential 'box and limited-slip differential.

Despite all this excitement, petrol is a fuel that Lotus is looking to wean off by the end of this decade.

By the end of 2022 the British brand will also become fully immersed as an electric car marque.

Just last week Lotus confirmed it will launch a BMW X5-sized electric SUV in 2022, codenamed Type 132 (Emira was Type 131) that will be followed by a new electric “E-segment four-door coupe” (similar to a Tesla Model S or Mercedes-Benz CLS) in 2023, codenamed Type 133.

A smaller mid-size electric SUV (Type 134) to be revealed in 2025. Completing the product expansion in 2026 will be the Type 135, a two-door sports car co-developed with Renault-owned French performance brand Alpine.

They're all being developed under what is described as the Vision80 plan, which concludes in time for Lotus's 80th anniversary in 2028.

To speed its move into electrification, Lotus is also creating a new subsidiary, Lotus Technology, which will be based in Wuhan, China, and headed by Peter Horbury, a British designer who reshaped Volvo. Lotus Technology will work on the future models and will also have investment from Li Bin, founder of Chinese automaker Nio.

Lotus, of course, also began its plug-in play with the $4.4 million Evija hypercar, limited to a run of 130 units. It has a staggering claimed power output of 1470kW and 2000Nm.

Meantime, Lotus has expressed delight from the United Kingdom in making a comeback to NZ, with Geoff Dowding, executive director for sales and aftersales saying: “New Zealand is a key market for us as we continue the transformation of the Lotus business and brand.

“We're delighted to be working with Giltrap Group. It has a proud history in the automotive world and a genuine passion for motorsport, making it the perfect partner for Lotus Cars.”

In reciprocal comment, Michael Giltrap, joint managing director of Giltrap Group commented: “We are thrilled to represent Lotus in New Zealand. It’s a brand with strong motor racing and sports car heritage that has an exciting future ahead with high-performance pure electric vehicles.”

Chris Parker, Lotus Auckland’s brand specialist, believes the make will quickly reprise a fan base, saying “... with an exciting new range coming, we know the brand has a bright future ahead.”