Here's Why The Lotus Emira Costs Less Than The Evora

The next generation of lightweight Lotus sports cars is about to begin, starting with theEmira．Replacing the Evora, the Emira will be the brand'sfirst all-new sports car in over a decadeas well as the last combustion-powered Lotus. Since Lotus is now owned by China's Geely, which also owns Volvo, Polestar, and Smart, the sports car maker has full access to parts from other manufacturers, which will ultimately reduce costs and make its sports cars more affordable.

For example, the interior of the Emira will borrow parts from Volvo. "We've gone to Volvo to license parts," Lotus' Managing Director Matt Windle said in an interview withThe Drive．"There are Volvo parts on the Emira, column stalks and things like that."

As well as interior parts, the Lotus Emira will share technology with automakers owned by Geely. Although Windle didn't go into specifics, we won't be surprised if the Emira is equipped with the sameAndroid-powered infotainment systemfound in models like the Polestar 2 and Volvo XC40 Recharge.

"There's the supermarket of parts that are out there on the shelf, if you like. Technologies across the group," Windle explained. "The most simple way of explaining it is if you went to another OEM, you would have to pay to go into that supermarket. With us, we're able to walk into the supermarket, have a look at the products that are on the shelf. Then if we want some, we buy them. We license it, we share that technology."