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Proton/ Lotus EMAS

We take wheel of range-extending hybrid that’s the basis of British firm’s new city car

Proton/ Lotus EMAS front

By Shane O'Donoghue

March 2011

  • Rating:
It's the fuel-sipping city car that could secure the future of the Esprit! At last September’s Paris Motor Show, Lotus revealed a new range of high-performance supercars – as well as a compact eco-friendly hatch. The city car 
is based around this, the EMAS, which has been developed with Lotus’ parent company Proton. And Auto Express has driven it. 

Think of the EMAS as Lotus’ answer to the Aston Martin Cygnet. Its clever range-extending technology will allow the sports car maker to lower the average CO2 output of its range, and meet strict new emissions rules – in turn ensuring the future of 
the new V8-engined Esprit.

But what technology does 
it feature? EMAS stands for Eco Mobility Advance Solution, and under the skin is an electric motor hooked up to a range-extending engine. The motor turns the wheels, and is fed by a battery pack under the floor. When the batteries’ charge begins to 
wane, the Lotus-designed 
range-extending engine kicks 
in, spinning up the generator 
and restoring their power.

The 1.2-litre three-cylinder 
unit can run on a variety of fuels, from unleaded petrol to methanol and ethanol. With petrol in the tank, and the battery fully charged, the EMAS goes about 350 miles – of which 30 miles is on zero-emissions electric power. As a result, CO2 is quoted at only 60g/km, while we estimate
fuel economy at 150mpg-plus!

Lotus claims 0-62mph in less than 15 seconds, and while the car doesn’t feel as fast off the line as some electric models, it makes up for this by quickly getting to a comfortable 60mph cruise. That’s the speed at which the engine can sustain charge to the batteries, but in theory it can hit 105mph.

Generally, concepts like this are rough to drive, and the EMAS is no different. Yet it corners with minimal body roll and feels stable at speed and under braking. You also get a sense of space inside.

Under the skin are the remnants of a Toyota iQ, but the EMAS has more room than Mercedes’ B-Class. A panoramic roof adds 
to the airy feel, while huge side windows aid visibility.

The doors open electronically, and each has climate control switches. The console resembles Volvo’s ‘floating’ design, and it houses gearbox controls that look no different to a modern auto’s.

Above that is a pair of screens. The lower one is touch-sensitive, and controls climate, sat-nav and entertainment settings. The upper one is a customisable info display. 

Lotus and Proton are working with another, as yet unnamed manufacturer to put the EMAS into production. Three vehicles are expected – one for Asia, one for Europe and a sportier model. And if it safeguards Lotus’ 
supercars, we’re all for it.

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3 Comments

Super fuel saver !

It does 150 mpg? That's an impressive 53 km/l. Can I have one right now please!? Please..!?

By xedor2003 on 24 March, 2011, 8:44am

Utterly Pointless

In the same email you sent details of the new Kia Rio. Similar size, nicely built, 85mpg and 85g CO2. Despite the Lotus stickers neither car is likely to excite much but I know which I would rather have.

Unlike this car with its silly £30K price the Rio is priced at £10K. The price of fuel is going to have to get seriously high to make the EMAS financially viable.

By IronChicken on 24 March, 2011, 8:50am

EMAS

EMAS also means gold in Malay. Just FYI.

By lowprofile2 on 24 March, 2011, 11:32am

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Pictures

Proton/ Lotus EMAS front
Proton/ Lotus EMAS rear
Proton/ Lotus EMAS interior
Proton/ Lotus EMAS technology
Proton/ Lotus EMAS dials
Proton/ Lotus EMAS engine

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FIRST OPINION

    A production version of the EMAS is still a long way from showrooms, but it’s expected to sit alongside the reborn Esprit and Elan in Lotus’ new line-up in 2014. In the meantime, the firm is focusing on bringing its range-extending technology to the market. The set-up is so flexible that Auto Express has already sampled it in a car as large as Jaguar’s XJ-based LimoGreen concept. So there’s no reason why it can’t power a variety of models, and be a realistic choice for the average buyer in the next few years.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £30,000 (est)
    Engine: 1.2-litre in-line 3cyl 
    Transmission: 
    Single-speed, rear-wheel drive
    Power: 100bhp electric motor
    Torque: 240Nm
    0-62mph: Sub-15 seconds 
    Top speed: 105mph 
    Econ/CO2: 150mpg (est)/60g/km
    Equipment: Leather seats, touchscreen infotainment system, LED lights all-round
    On sale: 2014
     
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