2025 Lotus Emeya ‘Hyper GT’

JEFF GIBBS

The much-anticipated Lotus Emeya electric car has arrived in Australia six months ahead of schedule, with pricing now confrmed. The Emeya, a ‘hyper GT’ boasting impressive performance and luxury, is available to order now, starting at $189,990 before on-road costs. This pricing aligns it with the similarly powered Eletre electric SUV.

The Emeya will be available in three variants across two drivetrain layouts, mirroring the structure of

JEFF GIBBS

“China has yet to create a single international marquee of its own that is universally recognised and respected. It is time for Chinese carmakers to upend the order of the global automotive industry and chart a course into a new vast territory.”

These words from BYD (Build Your Dreams) founder and chairman, Wang Chuanfu, were spoken at a celebration of the brand’s fve millionth EV production car in August 2023. Fast forward to July 2024, and BYD is rapidly emerging as China’s frst globally recognised car brand, less than a year after those bold comments.

Sales Surge and New Models

BYD’s sales have surged by more than 54 the Eletre SUV. The Base Emeya and the mid-spec Emeya S share a 450kW and 710Nm all-wheel drive electric powertrain.

The Base Emeya is priced at $189,990, while the Emeya S comes in at $209,990.

For those seeking more power, the top-spec Emeya R is available at $259,990. This variant features a 675kW/985Nm drivetrain, enabling a remarkable 0-100km/h sprint in just 2.78 seconds. The Base and S variants, while less powerful, still achieve an impressive 0-100km/h time of 4.15 percent in the frst half of 2024, driven by the introduction of the Seal electric sedan and the new Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid. This marks just seconds. The Emeya R distinguishes itself with a two-speed transmission for the rear motor, while the front motor uses a single-speed unit, similar to both ends of the less powerful variants.

0-100km/h sprint in just 2.78 seconds

All three Emeya variants are equipped with a substantial 102kWh Lithium-ion battery and 800V architecture. The Base and S variants weigh in at 2480kg, with the Emeya R slightly heavier at 2575kg. Despite the weight, the large batteries signifcantly enhance the ‘GT’ aspect of the Emeya, offering up to a claimed 600km WLTP range for the lower-spec variants and up to 484km for the Emeya R. Additionally, the Emeya provides practical rear luggage space, with up to 509 litres in the fve-seat version or 1388 litres with the seats folded down.

BYD’s Rapid Rise

before the end of the year.

Future Prospects

Looking ahead, there’s even more in the pipeline. Potential future

L, which replaces the Sealion.

Market Impact

Despite currently being outside the top 10 in total sales, BYD’s strategy to the beginning, with local BYD head, Luke Todd, confrming that the Shark PHEV (or DM-i in BYD terminology, standing for ‘Dual Motor Intelligence’) will be available in showrooms releases in Australia include the Seal DM-i, boasting an impressive driving range of 2100km, the Fang Cheng Bao 5 (a competitor to the Toyota LandCruiser Prado), and the newly launched Song focus on “new energy vehicles” — including hybrids and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) — positions it well within the evolving market trends. While internal combustion engines

Charging capabilities are robust, with a maximum of 350kW for DC fast charging and 22kW for AC charging. The Emeya’s suspension system features multi-link front and rear suspensions, an electronically controlled air suspension system, and electromechanical rack and pinion steering.

Lotus Australia offers a comprehensive warranty for the Emeya, covering the car for fve years or 150,000km, and the batteries for eight years or 200,000km, whichever comes frst. The early availability of the Emeya means that remain dominant, the mid-year sales reports reveal a signifcant shift: electric vehicles (EVs) are up 16.5 percent, hybrids have surged by 113.3 percent, and PHEVs have skyrocketed by 129.6 percent. BYD is well-placed to capitalize on these growing segments.

Competitive Edge

In just its frst month on sale, the Sealion 6 outperformed several well-established rivals in the mid-size SUV segment, including the Atto 3, Honda ZR-V, MG HS, Peugeot 3008, and Renault Koleos. If this trajectory continues, the Sealion 6 could become one of the bestsellers in its segment by the end of 2025.

The all-electric Seal is already the third bestselling mid-size sedan in Australia, trailing only the Toyota Camry orders are being taken six months ahead of the originally planned schedule, with the frst deliveries expected before the end of the year.

2025 Lotus Emeya Pricing Before On-Road Costs:

• Emeya: $189,990

• Emeya S: $209,990

• Emeya R: $259,990 and Tesla Model 3, and outperforming the Mazda6, BMW 3-Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

The Lotus Emeya’s arrival marks a signifcant step forward in electric performance vehicles, combining luxury, practicality, and cutting-edge technology to set new standards in the market.

Global Expansion

As BYD enjoys this success in Australia, it is also expanding its reach in Europe, suggesting that Wang Chuanfu’s vision of a global Chinese automotive powerhouse may materialize sooner than anticipated.

Finally

BYD’s rapid rise and strategic focus on new energy vehicles signal a signifcant shift in the global automotive industry. With a growing lineup of innovative models and a keen eye on market trends, BYD is poised to challenge established brands and cement its position as a global leader in the electric vehicle market.