Lotus Emeya completes final stage of development programme

Lotus has announced that its new Emeya hyper-GT has completed the final stage of its rigorous global test and development programme.

The final stage of global testing programme saw the car being tested in Ivalo, Finland, 250km inside the Arctic Circle, where temperatures reached as low as -25 degrees Celsius. But Lotus states that it additionally put the car in a local automotive 'freezer' to test it in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius.

The arctic test programme is said to have tested the car's suspension, steering, and brakes as well as its traction and stability control systems. The car's driver assistance functions were also tested in situations where road markings and traffic signs may be obscured due to external factors such as snow, and its battery was also tested in the extreme weather conditions. Testing and calibrating the air-conditioning and thermal management systems was also conducted to ensure the car is as efficient and comfortable as possible in all conditions.

The Lotus Emeya is said to already have undergone a three-year test and development programme that spanned a total of 15 countries in two continents. This programme took place across a variety of terrains and conditions, from the U.K.'s challenging B-roads, the fast-flowing German autobahn, as well as the highest Alpine passes and the remoteness of inner Mongolia. Testing is also said to have taken place at racetracks such as the Nurburgring and at the proving grounds like the high-speed loop near Nardo. Additional in-market testing will take place in the Middle East, the U.S.A and Australia ahead of deliveries in these markets.