24/08/2025

theSunday Special XVI ON SUNDAY AUG 24, 2025

Expectations redefined Lotus expands Emeya Hyper-GT range with new variants

LOTUS Cars Malaysia, under the Karrus Automotive Group, has unveiled an expanded line-up of its all-electric Emeya Hyper-GT, introducing new variants and a revised naming structure designed to broaden the model’s appeal without dilut ing its core performance DNA. Prices now start from RM459,000 for the Emeya 600, RM519,000 for the Emeya 600 GT SE, RM599,000 for the Emeya 600 Sport SE, RM699,000 for the Emeya 900 Sport and RM729,000 for the Emeya 900 Sport Carbon. The refreshed range adopts a perform ance-based naming convention, with the Emeya 600 and Emeya 900 designations denoting their respective power outputs. Each is available with carefully curated equipment packages aimed at simplifying the buying process while still giving cus tomers a clear choice between a sport

distinguishes itself with extended exterior and interior carbon-fibre packages. Performance remains at the heart of the Emeya’s appeal. The Hyper-GT accelerates from 0–100kph in just 2.78 seconds, plac ing it among the quickest cars in its seg ment. A driving range of more than 580km (WLTP) ensures that its capabilities extend beyond short bursts of speed, mak ing it equally suited to long-distance tour ing. The chassis benefits from Lotus’ dec ades of engineering expertise, offering a balance of agility and refinement that remains a hallmark of the brand. The expanded Emeya range is posi tioned to offer buyers a broader choice in balancing performance, luxury, and value, reinforcing Lotus’ ambition to redefine expectations in the premium EV market.

ing from a two-speed transmission for improved acceleration and efficiency. Equipment levels are generous across the board. Even the entry-level Emeya 600 includes adaptive air suspension with Continuous Damping Control, torque vec toring by brake, LED matrix headlights, a KEF Premium 15-speaker audio system, and a 29-inch head-up display. Interior appointments include a Jasper themed cabin finished in LotusWear per formance fabric, four-zone climate control, and a suite of driver assistance features. Higher-spec models introduce larger alloy wheels, six-piston brakes, active aerodynamic elements including a rear spoiler and diffuser, and luxury touches such as ventilated massage seats, an intel ligent glass roof, ambient lighting, and soft-close doors. The Emeya 900 Sport Carbon further

focused configuration and a more com fort-oriented, technology-rich setup. This naming approach mirrors the strategy previously introduced with the Emira Turbo SE, where Lotus drew on its heritage to modernise classic trim designa tions such as Sport and GT SE. The same formula is now applied to both the Emeya and the Eletre SUV, bring ing legendary model names into the brand’s latest all-electric line-up. The new Emeya range comprises the Emeya 600, Emeya 600 GT SE, Emeya 600 Sport SE, Emeya 900 Sport, and the range-topping Emeya 900 Sport Carbon. Power figures range from 603bhp for the Emeya 600 variants to a formidable 905bhp for the Emeya 900. Both utilise dual-motor, four-wheel drive systems paired with a 102kWh bat tery pack, with the flagship model benefit

Koenigsegg reclaims world record

Yangwang U9’s Nurburgring ambitions

KOENIGSEGG has once again stamped its authority on the high-speed world stage, reclaiming the 0–400–0kph record for homologated road cars with its Jesko Absolut at the Orebro airfield in Sweden. Factory test driver Markus Lundh achieved the remarkable feat in just 25.21 seconds, sur passing the marque’s own record set in June 2024 and eclipsing every other competi tor. The time also represents a dramatic improvement over last year’s 27.83-second run, with more than 2.5 seconds shaved off the benchmark. The achievement came courtesy of refined perform ance software strategies, col lectively named “Absolut Overdrive”, developed for the same Jesko Absolut used in last year’s run. These updates, which will be made available to customer vehicles, enhance drivetrain integration, engine manage ment, and torque control to unprecedented levels. Christian von Koenigsegg, the company’s founder and chief executive, attributed the success to seamless collabora tion between the engineering and development teams, underpinned by in-house drive train systems, advanced soft ware architecture and mechani cal solutions designed to mini mise aerodynamic drag while maximising stability. Conditions on the day were far from ideal, with the tarmac

CHINA’S Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has quietly dropped a bomb shell in its latest product cata logue, details of a new Yangwang U9 Track Edition, a hardcore electric supercar that’s about to make even the most exotic EVs sweat. According to Car News China , this new variant of BYD’s flagship performance machine sticks with the U9’s signature quad-motor setup, one electric motor per wheel, but cranks the numbers up to a staggering 3,019hp. Top speed is officially listed at 350kPh, and if that sounds like overkill, it’s worth noting the current road-going U9 “only” makes 1,287hp. Visually, the Track Edition isn’t a wild departure from the standard model, but the details hint at its more aggressive nature. lightweight carbon-fibre is used extensively, including for the roof and the massive fixed rear wing, while the rear dif fuser comes with adjustable blades to fine-tune downforce. The spec sheet reads like a race engineer’s wishlist – kerb weight is 2,480kg, with 325/30 R20 tyres front and

rear, and a total vehicle mass of 2,630kg. Power still comes from an 80kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack, good for a CLTC rated 450km range. The sys tem supports brutal charging speeds of up to 500kW, mean ing a 30% to 80% top-up in roughly 10 minutes. Underneath, there’s a double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear, paired with BYD’s DiSus-X intelligent body con trol. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because the Yangwang U9 has already made headlines. In 2024, it smashed China’s pro duction car speed record at 391.94kph and clocked an impressive 7:17.900 at the Nurburgring Nordschleife. BYD isn’t done yet – earlier this year, the company con firmed plans to go back and chase even faster lap times, both at the Ring and at Germany’s ATP proving ground. The numbers speak for themselves. With over 3,000hp on tap, the U9 Track Edition will have more fire power than a Lotus Evija (1,972hp) or Rimac Nevera (1,914hp).

gramme now optimises grip more precisely, allowing the rear-wheel-drive, combustion powered Jesko Absolut to out perform even the most potent all-wheel-drive electric hyper cars in a straight line. The run was officially verified using industry-standard Racelogic equipment, with the data authenticated by Racelogic. Koenigsegg’s latest accom plishment reinforces its position at the cutting edge of perform ance engineering, rewriting expectations of what a fully homologated production car can achieve on both road and track.

still drying after earlier rainfall. Despite the reduced grip, the Jesko Absolut’s twin-turbo charged 5.0-litre V8, low-drag bodywork and advanced trac tion management combined to deliver exceptional results. The car completed the sprint to 400kph in 16.77 seconds before coming to a standstill in 8.44 seconds, with a separate 0–402–0kph run completed in 25.67 seconds. Since the 2024 record, Koenigsegg’s software engi neers have refined both the Light Speed Transmission and the engine management sys tem. A new torque control pro