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Lotus Emeya Achieves Record-Breaking Charging Time: 10 – 80% in 14 Minutes

LONDON, U.K. (June 10, 2024) – Lotus has announced its first electric hyper-GT, Emeya, has achieved a record-breaking charging time using the public charging network. The car is capable of charging from 10 to 80 percent in 14 minutes, using a 400-kW (600A capable) DC fast charger1, making it one of the fastest charging electric vehicles (EVs) available today.  

This was validated by leading global consulting firm P3, who recently published their independent 2023 P3 Charging Index for Asia2. Emeya came out number one as the fastest charging EV that was tested against market leading global electric vehicles including Mercedes EQS, BMW i7, Tesla Model Y, Genesis G80, Xpeng G9, Kia EVP, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Nio ET5 and BYD Atto 3.  

Lotus’ ambition is to make it easier than ever to own an EV by providing drivers with the confidence to complete long-distance journeys and go wherever they need to. The report also found that Emeya can reach a peak charging power of 402kW, resulting in an average charging power of 331kW, between 10% and 80% battery state of charge – this was higher compared to the peak charge of the other electric vehicles tested. In addition, combined with a WLTC energy consumption of 18.7kWh/100km, Emeya can gain up to 310km of range in 10 minutes1.    

To achieve the fast-charging capabilities in its next generation hyper electric vehicles, Lotus uses a cell-to-back battery structure, which means that 20 percent more cells can be packaged in the same space, compared to a standard module architecture. Emeya also uses a new cooling system architecture that is designed to improve the thermal performance and efficiency of the battery.   

“With our industry leading charging technology available today, Emeya pushes the boundaries for how an EV performs, providing drivers with the confidence to travel anywhere. We’re bringing an unrivalled driving experience in the ultimate grand tourer package, so drivers want to go electric.” 

Qingfeng Feng, CEO at Lotus Group

Lotus is committed to delivering a fully integrated charging ecosystem, in order to make EV ownership as seamless as possible. To provide consumers have the confidence to access easy, fast, and efficient charging, it is collaborating across the industry, as well as developing its own range of solutions including its own app, charging card, and ultra-fast DC fast charger of up to 450 kW. 

Partnering with Bosch and Mobilize to provide consumers the confidence that wherever they are, they will be access an easy-to-use and reliable charger 
Through the Bosch charging network, Lotus owners have access to more than 700,000 public chargers across 30 European countries including UK, Germany and France. Lotus is committed to expanding its charging network across Europe by adding additional network operators over time. 

In addition, Lotus has teaming up with Mobilize Power Solutions to unlock the home as a primary charging location by offering an all-inclusive package which includes the supply and installation of a charging point, with personalized support from ordering to commissioning. 

Creating a seamless charging experience with the Lotus Cars app and Lotus’ Charging Card 
With Lotus’ Charging Card, drivers can access the charging network with a single tap, and can find all the information they need easily via the Lotus Cars app. The app allows drivers to keep track of their charging history, manage costs and monitor vehicle battery status remotely. 

In addition, Lotus HyperOS, the award-winning in-car infotainment system in the Eletre and Emeya3, uses intelligent EV routing to help drivers locate nearby public chargers. This feature reduces range anxiety and can significantly cut travel times. The system can also suggest alternative routes based on the driver’s real-time battery consumption – all delivering an optimized Lotus EV driving experience. 

Increasing confidence in the charging infrastructure with its own charging solutions for EVs 
Lotus has designed a suite of commercial charging solutions including an ultra-fast 450 kW DC charger, power cabinet and a modular unit for charging up to four vehicles at once. It uses leading liquid-cooled technologies to improve the efficiency and reliability of charging, in order to make it to make it easier and quicker for EV drivers to charge their vehicles. 

Lotus is future proofing its technology and has designed its charging solutions to be ready for cars that have a state-of-the-art 800-volt charging system, such as Lotus’ own Emeya, as well as its electric hyper-SUV, Eletre. This technology is where the industry is accelerating towards in order to unlock hyper power charging speeds and greater charging efficiency.  

Emeya is Lotus’ first electric hyper-GT and joins a flagship model in Lotus’ line-up of luxury lifestyle electric vehicles, part of the company’s vision to become an all-electric global performance brand by 2028. It brings together Lotus’ rich design and engineering heritage, with the latest cutting-edge technologies and sportscar levels of performance to set a new benchmark for how a luxury electric vehicle should look and handle– making it truly for the drivers.  

Emeya started customer deliveries in March 2024 in China and will be arriving to UK and European customers in Q3 2024. Further information on market availability will be released nearer the time. 

Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Makes debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

LE MANS (June 10, 2024) – Aston Martin’s new Vantage GT3 is all set to make its debut in the world’s most famous endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, this weekend (15-16 June), as the ultra-luxury British sportscar manufacturer targets an incredible 20th class victory at the event.

Two examples of the Aston Martin Vantage GT3, which shares the mechanical architecture of the new Vantage road car unveiled earlier this year at Silverstone, and which is built around Aston Martin’s proven bonded aluminum chassis and powered by its fearsome twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine, will contest the ‘twice around the clock’ race in central France. Both will compete in the new-for-2024 LMGT3 category as Aston Martin continues to lay the groundwork for its return to the top class with the Valkyrie AMR-LMH in 2025.

Aston Martin’s full-time FIA World Endurance Championship [WEC] partner teams, Japanese outfit D’station Racing and US-based entrant Heart of Racing carry the marque’s honor at Le Mans – the most prestigious race of the global competition – which features representation from an incredible nine GT manufacturers; an all-time high.

D’station Racing made history earlier this month as Tomonobu Fujii (JPN) and Charlie Fagg (GBR) claimed the new Aston Martin Vantage GT3’s first international race win in the SUPER GT GT300 class at Suzuka. Fujii, in his role as the team’s Managing Director, will oversee a line-up spearheaded by Aston Martin works driver Marco Sørensen (DEN); a three-time FIA World Endurance Champion and 2022 Le Mans class winner.

Sørensen will share driving duties aboard #777 with Le Mans debutant Erwan Bastard (FRA), a title winner in both the GT4 European and GT4 France series, and Team Principal Satoshi Hoshino (JPN), who makes his first FIA WEC appearance since finishing second in the 8 Hours of Bahrain season finale last year.

Heart of Racing, which will run the works Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH in the Hypercar class in 2025, scored its best result in the WEC season-opening Qatar 1812km with a second-place finish in the #27 Vantage to begin the LMGT3 era. It aims to go one better at La Sarthe, where it finished sixth on its Le Mans debut last year. Team Principal Ian James (GBR) will be central to the team’s driving strength, while single-seater champion Daniel Mancinelli (ITA) and Spaniard IMSA race-winner Alex Riberas (ESP) will race alongside him.

Significantly, Le Mans – the fourth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship – offers double-points due to its length and difficulty. This gives both Heart of Racing and D’station Racing, who are third and fifth in the Teams’ Championship, the opportunity to take over at the head of the standings as the European portion of the season ends.

Aston Martin’s endurance racing is indelibly linked to Le Mans. A mere 15 years after the marque was formed by Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin, it was racing at la Sarthe; its debut coming in 1928 with a pair of AM415 ‘Internationals’. Three years later it claimed its first victory when Augustus Cesare Bertelli and Maurice Harvey won the 1.5-litre class in an International. It took class honors in 1932 and ’33 as well. Two more wins in the ’30s for the Ulster meant that Aston Martin ended the pre-war era as one of Le Mans pre-eminent manufacturers.

The race wasn’t held between 1940-1948 with Europe affected by the second World War, but once it returned in 1949, Aston Martin did too, making the 3-litre class its own through the 1950s. It won the class six times, finishing first, second and third with the DB2 in 1951. This halcyon era culminated in a glorious overall victory for Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori in the DBR1 in 1959. It was also in this period that Aston Martin became known as a haven for legendary racing stars. Among the many aces to have raced Aston Martins at Le Mans are Jim Clark, Sir Stirling Moss, Peter Collins, Sir Jack Brabham, Shelby, Salvadori, Tony Brooks, Phil Hill, Sir John Surtees, Innes Ireland, Graham Hill and Bruce McLaren.

This century Aston Martin has come to the fore once again as one of the truly great GT manufacturers. Returning to the race with a GT1 class podium in 2006, Darren Turner, Rickard Rydell and David Brabham recorded a famous victory over Corvette with the mighty V12-powered DBR9 in 2007. Aston Martin Racing repeated the victory the following year.

In the WEC era, which began in 2012, Aston Martin has five class victories with Vantage. The V8 Vantage GTE won the GTE Am class in 2014 with the Danish line-up of Nicki Thiim, Kristian Poulsen and David Heinemeier Hansson. Then in 2017 Jonny Adam (GBR) delivered a famous last-lap pass on the rival Corvette to clinch a dramatic GTE Pro win along with team-mates Turner (Aston Martin’s most successful Le Mans racer with 15 starts and three wins), and Daniel Serra (BRA).

The Vantage GTE made its Le Mans debut in 2018 and claimed a breath-taking double-class victory in 2020. Alex Lynn (GBR), Maxime Martin (BEL) and Harry Tincknell (GBR) outfoxed Ferrari in a famous win without stopping for a traditional Sunday morning brake change, while TF Sport conquered GTE Am with Salih Yoluc (TUR), Adam and Eastwood. The team won again in 2022 in its world championship title year with Ben Keating (USA), Henrique Chaves (POR) and Sørensen.

A podium finish for TF Sport in last year’s centenary running of the race – also the 53rd time an Aston Martin had competed at the event – brought the curtain down on the GTE era at Le Mans and prepared fans for the dawn of the new LMGT3 category. The Vantage GT3 will be the 28th different Aston Martin chassis/engine combination to compete at Le Mans. No venue has given Aston Martin so much success, or more steadfastly proven that our DNA is forged out of the very essence of competition, than Le Mans.

“The 24 Hours of Le Mans is among the most iconic races in motorsport, so it’s absolutely right that Aston Martin’s competitive history should be so indelibly linked to it. While we prepare for our return to the top class with the Valkyrie AMR-LMH Hypercar in 2025, this year we will see two outstanding partner teams, D’station Racing and Heart of Racing, give the new Vantage GT3 its Le Mans debut. That in itself is a momentous occasion. This is the 54th Le Mans to feature the Aston Martin name, and through all that time we have learned that to conquer this race, takes more than just raw speed. It requires performance, enduring technical excellence and no small measure of fortitude. All attributes that Aston Martin will strive to uphold as we step forward in to the fight for a 20th class victory in this famous race.”

Adam Carter, Head of Endurance Motorsport

This year’s Le Mans will feature a 23-car LMGT3 field; the largest in the WEC season this year. The event runs over two weekends with public scrutineering and the Official Test taking place between 8-9 June. Practice and qualifying will run through Wednesday and Thursday while the race will begin at 1500 CEST, Saturday, 15 June.

Follow details of the event via the official WEC website and App.

Lamborghini SC63 Set for Historic Le Mans 24 Hours Debut

SANT’AGATA BOLOGNESE (June 10, 2024) – Lamborghini Iron Lynx will embark on the most significant race in its history this weekend as it prepares to fight for outright honors at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a pair of Lamborghini SC63 LMDh prototypes in round four of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Edoardo Mortara returns to the #63 full-season FIA WEC entry, alongside Mirko Bortolotti and Daniil Kvyat, while Andrea Caldarelli will line up with regular IMSA team-mates Romain Grosjean and Matteo Cairoli in the #19 car, which will make its FIA WEC debut in France.

Lamborghini will also compete for LMGT3 spoils with two Huracán GT3 EVO2s. After securing their maiden FIA WEC podium at Spa-Francorchamps, Franck Perera, Claudio Schiavoni and Matteo Cressoni will again team up in the #60 car while Michelle Gatting, Sarah Bovy and Rahel Frey continue in the #85 Iron Dames machine. The Dames were forced into a late alteration to their entry following the unfortunate rib injury to Doriane Pin, who had been originally scheduled to drive.

Preparations for the 24 Hours are already well underway, with the traditional public scrutineering taking place on Friday in the city center of Le Mans before the official Test Day over the weekend of 8-9 June. The Test Day gave the team its first opportunity to turn laps on the iconic 13.626km Circuit de la Sarthe and their eye in before official timed practice begins in earnest on Wednesday 12th June.

Across the pair of three-hour sessions, the #63 ended up as the seventh-fastest car out of 23 Hypercar entry, while the #19 completed its first day in the FIA WEC in 18th.

The season so far
There have been mixed fortunes for the #63 in the FIA WEC season so far, with strong reliability taking the crew to a 13th place finish in the opening round of the year in Qatar. On home soil at Imola, Bortolotti, Mortara and Kvyat profited from a noticeable performance improvement to take the car to a promising 12th amid changeable conditions. Unfortunately, the 6 Hours of Spa ended prematurely as a suspension failure delivered the first non-finish for the SC63.

For the #19, race running has been limited in 2024 to date, with just one event for the car coming in March for the 12 Hours of Sebring, the first outing on American soil for the SC63. Despite being ostensibly a test for the new car, the notoriously bumpy circuit provided enough data and learning throughout the weekend and a superb seventh-place finish delivered the first drivers’ championship points and demonstrated the mechanical integrity of the SC63 which suffered only a minor issue with a loose door.

Ambition high on both fronts
In keeping with the objectives during the Lamborghini SC63’s debut season in both the FIA WEC and IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship campaigns, data gathering and reaching the finish with strong reliability remain the overriding aims for the Lamborghini Iron Lynx team.

Additionally, performance improvements will be expected throughout the Test Day and race week, with the inclusion of a second car key to building a strong platform on which to take the next step into the second half of the season.

Meanwhile, expectations in LMGT3 are high for both cars which demonstrated race-winning potential at the previous round in Belgium. The #60 of Perera, Cressoni and Schiavoni came within a lap of taking a remarkable victory, from the back of the grid, only for a late splash for fuel which dropped it to third at the finish. For the #85 Iron Dames crew of Bovy, Gatting and Frey, redemption will also be on their minds after dominating the Spa event from pole position until the red flag before they too had to pit for fuel in the closing stages, ultimately ending up fifth at the finish.

Track Description
Regarded as one of the most iconic venues in the world, the Circuit de la Sarthe is a 13.626km, 38-turn track which uses a combination of permanent circuit and public roads, giving it a unique place on the racing calendar. Overtaking opportunities are plentiful but traffic management will undoubtedly play a crucial role in both qualifying and the race, particularly when night falls.

Key to a fast lap are the flowing corners of Virage de la Chapelle and the Esses de la Fôret at the start of the lap which lead onto the Tertre Rouge and the start of the long Ligne droite des Hunaudières on which straight-line speed and top-end power are essential. Punctuating the Hunaudières straight are the two chicanes (Daytona and Michelin) before the big braking zone of Mulsanne Corner. All three offer overtaking chances, while the second half of the lap provides challenges at Indianapolis, Arnage and the Porsche Curves.

Weather can also play an important role on the race, and it is not uncommon for rain to fall on one part of the track while the other remains dry. Tire strategy and choice, therefore, remains a race-defining element.

The Le Mans week will be one of the busiest for Lamborghini Squadra Corse, as attention not only focuses on the 24 Hours, but also round three of the one-make Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe championship which is expected to field a grid of 51 cars. Also, on the support bill of the FIA WEC this weekend is the Road to Le Mans, a pair of 55-minute races which are part of the Michelin Le Mans Cup series. Iron Dames is the sole Lamborghini representative, with Swiss racer Karen Gaillard and Frenchwoman Célia Martin at the wheel of the #83 Huracán GT3 EVO2.

The weekend at a glance

Wednesday 12th June
Free Practice 1 (14:00-17:00)
Qualifying – Hypercar and LMGT3 (19:00-20:00)
Free Practice 2 (22:00-00:00)

Thursday 13th June
Free Practice 3 (15:00-18:00)
Hyperpole (20:00-20:30)
Free Practice 4 (22:00-23:00)

Friday 14th June
Traditional Drivers Parade in Le Mans city (16:00-19:00)

Saturday 15th June
Warm-up (12:00-12:15)
Official Start Procedure for the 24 Hours of Le Mans (15:30-15:50)
Race start (16:00)

All times CET

Triple 1-2 for BMW M 1000 RR Racers at 2024 Isle of Man TT

MUNICH (June 10, 2024) – At the world’s most famous road race event, BMW M 1000 RR riders dominated the races for 1000cc motorcycles. At the 2024 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, they celebrated a triple 1-2 finish. In all three 1000cc races held, there were three wins and second places for the BMW M 1000 RR. The man of the week was Davey Todd (GBR), who first won the Superstock race and then claimed victory in the prestigious Senior TT. Peter Hickman (GBR) was victorious in the Superbike race. These two, along with Josh Brookes (AUS), also took second places on the podiums. With this, the BMW road racers continued the success story for the brand on the Isle of Man, which began exactly 85 years ago with the first victory by Georg Meier.

It all started on Sunday, 2nd June, with the Superbike TT race. In an exciting race, Hickman, riding the BMW M 1000 RR of the Monster Energy BMW by FHO Racing team, secured his 14th TT win overall. Todd followed on the Milwaukee BMW Motorrad by TAS Racing M RR in second place, making the event’s first 1-2 success perfect.

After bad weather had repeatedly caused dangerous conditions and numerous delays, the first of two planned Superstock TT races was held on Thursday, 6th June. Todd’s star finally rose as he engaged in a close duel with Hickman and ultimately came out on top. Todd celebrated his first-ever victory at the Isle of Man TT, while Hickman stood on the podium as the second-place finisher. The second Superstock race could not be held due to weather conditions and delays.

The highlight of the Isle of Man TT is always the prestigious Senior TT. On the late afternoon of Saturday, 8th June, the world’s best road racers took to the final showdown of this race week. In the end, it was again Todd who almost incredulously celebrated his next triumph with a large lead and inscribed his name in the renowned Senior TT winners’ list. For his team, Milwaukee BMW Motorrad by TAS Racing, it was the first victory in this very special race, the Senior TT, in 20 years – accordingly, the jubilation was immense. The second-place finisher was equally enthusiastically received by his team Monster Energy BMW by FHO Racing at the finish line; Australian Brookes secured his first podium in the Senior TT after a previously challenging race week. Team-mate Hickman was dominating the early stages of the Senior TT but a crash ended his path to another potential victory. Hickman was unharmed.

Since 2014, BMW road racers have been successful on the Isle of Man with the BMW S 1000 RR and the BMW M 1000 RR. The meeting has been held nine times since then (the 2020 and 2021 events were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic), and they have had no fewer than 22 TT victories.

“Wow, what an Isle of Man TT! Of course, we had certain expectations beforehand, as BMW road racers have been among the absolute favourites for years, but with 1-2s in all three 1000cc races, even our expectations were exceeded. Congratulations to Davey Todd, who fulfilled a dream with victories in the Superstock TT and then in the prestigious Senior TT, to Peter Hickman, who further expanded his impressive TT victory tally in the Superbike race, and also to Josh Brookes, who for the first time stood on the coveted podium of the Senior TT in second. Congratulations also to the TAS Racing and FHO BMW Motorrad Racing teams, whose hard work made it possible to continue BMW Motorrad’s success story on the Isle of Man with these fantastic results. A big thank you also goes to the many other BMW road racers who again brought numerous RRs of all generations to the start at the Isle of Man this year, also serving as great ambassadors for BMW bikes.”

Marc Bongers, Sporting Director BMW Motorrad Motorsport

“It’s doesn’t feel real, my first TT win and then victory in the Senior TT. We’ve been feeling good the whole time. I just wanted to be in the battle for the win. I knew we had a chance and to give this Senior TT win to the team is awesome. Those last two laps in the Senior TT were the longest laps in my life after I came to the pits seeing I was in P1 with a big gap riding around there, short shifting, nursing the bike. But the Milwaukee BMW Motorrad by TAS Racing team built me a fantastic BMW M 1000 RR. I absolutely love riding it. It never missed a beat. And then the best of pit stops – I got to give all to the team. Now I actually can’t wait 12 months to come back here again. I absolutely loved this TT. This is going to take a while to sink in. This TT has been a dream coming true for me.”

Davey Todd, Milwaukee BMW Motorrad by TAS Racing

“It’s a rather mixed bag of results for myself with a Superbike TT win, on the podium for the Superstock race and a crash at Ginger Hall whilst leading the Senior TT. A massive thank you to the Monster Energy BMW by FHO Racing team for all their hard work and dedication over this year’s TT. It was a bit frustrating with the lack of track time due to the weather but the bikes have been awesome. Also I must say well done for a mega result for Josh with P2 in the Senior TT. I also want to thank everyone for their messages, I am a bit bruised and very lucky.”

Peter Hickman, Monster Energy BMW by FHO Racing

“Honestly, after a week with problems I wasn’t expecting to be at the podium so with second place I feel like I’ve won it. It’s unreal, honestly. A lot of people obviously went out but that’s how it is at TT. You’ve got to take them when you get them, so I’m thrilled. I felt like this is my class, this is the bike I feel the best on. On the big bike I normally ride every weekend in the British Superbike Championship, I feel like home, like it’s my bike, and I feel like I can ride my way on that bike. The BMW M 1000 RR worked perfectly. I went the quickest I have ever been around the course and I genuinely felt like the bike was working superbly. I couldn’t be happier. A big thank you to everyone involved at the Monster Energy BMW by FHO Racing team. To come away with such a result in the big race is mega.”

Josh Brookes, Monster Energy BMW by FHO Racing