Processing power will be the horsepower of the future

While kilowatts will replace horsepower in specifying powertrain output in future, Lotus believes that the new ‘horsepower’ in a car will really be processing power in the electric automotive era. Processing power by on-board computers has been accelerating since the first electronic systems began to be used in cars.

Today, even low-cost cars have processing power in their electronic systems that are way beyond what was available when the first rockets sent humans to space. And with high-performance models like the new Lotus Emeya hyper-GT, up to 25 trillion operations can be completed in the same amount of time it takes the human brain to identify an image. That’s approximately 50 milliseconds, or 1/20th of a second.

“Processing power is quickly becoming the new horsepower. That’s why, with Emeya, we’ve built a supercomputer on wheels. It is packed with high-tech features designed to provide customers confidence, safety and satisfaction. It is also fully future-proofed and ready for an autonomous future, with software that can be continually updated over the air,” said Maximilian Szwaj, Vice-President of Lotus Technology and Managing Director, LTIC.

All of the processing power comes from two NVIDIA (systems-on-a-chip (SoCs), which (when combined) deliver 508 trillion operations per second, or TOPS, of computing in a compact form factor, measuring the size of a postage stamp, just 3 mm thick.

The dual NVIDIA DRIVE Orin SoCs are part of the NVIDIA DRIVE supercomputer platform which acts as the brain for Lotus’ intelligent vehicles, providing data centre-class processing power. They can  process data from 34 state-of-the-art-surround sensors up to 30 times a second, offering 360-degree perception with no blind spots.

Four deployable LiDARs, 18 radars, seven 8 megapixel cameras and five 2 megapixel cameras constantly for obstacles at a radius of up to 200 metres around the car, in every direction, even in low light or inclement weather. They even reconstruct a virtual environment around the vehicle to define the best trajectory – an essential requirement in an autonomous future.

With the dual NVIDIA DRIVE Orin configuration, the Emeya’s suite of intelligent features maximise the car’s safe and secure driving capabilities and build in the headroom support for future potential features through over-the-air (OTA) software updates.

An electronically controlled air suspension feels the road ahead at a rate of 1,000 times per second, making dynamic adjustments to suit road conditions as well as personal preference. Numerous  advanced aerodynamic technologies, including an active front grille, rear diffuser and rear spoiler, combine to smooth airflow and create class-leading levels of downforce. These technologies are spiritual successors to the innovative aerodynamics that shot Lotus to fame on race circuits around the world.

Packaged beneath the floor is a state-of-the-art 800V, 102 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Compared to conventional 400V systems, the 800V architecture allows drivers to recharge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes when connected to a 350kW DC fast-charger.

Full technical details are not available yet although the performance levels will certainly make it a rival to Audi’s e-tron GT and the Porsche Taycan. Production of the Emeya will start next year in China, with first deliveries to take place in the second half of 2024.

First look at the Lotus Emeya hyper-GT