As if the development of the Evija wasn't a clear sign that Lotus is looking to make the switch to electrons, the British sports car maker is once again enforcing that decision by launching a brand new sports car - the last Lotus to pack a combustion engine after the axing of the Elise, Exige and Evora.

The new sports car will be called Emira. In case you're wondering why this name, Lotus explains that the word is found in numerous ancient languages and it's associated with a commander or a leader.

Details are scarce, as you'd imagine, but Lotus says the Emira will get an assortment of petrol engines. Interestingly enough, Lotus also mentions an additional powertrain "new to Lotus, highly efficient" that will be "tuned to help deliver that distinctive Lotus experience."

"It's the most accomplished Lotus for generations - the perfectly packaged, powered and formed sports car. Beautifully-proportioned, shrink-wrapped, but with comfort, technology and ergonomics built in. With a design inspired by the Evija all-electric hypercar, it's a game-changing Lotus sports car," says Matt Windle, Managing Director at Lotus.

The Emira will sit on the carmaker's new lightweight aluminum platform dubbed Elemental. Lotus also wants to ramp up volume sales with the Emira, which is expected to push about 3,500 units every year, boosting the company's sales from 1,500 units to 5,000 units per year.

Beyond the Emira, Lotus' plans for the future involve electricity and electricity only. The 1,972-horsepower, quad-motor Evija is coming later this year, and Lotus is already working with Alpine on a lightweight all-electric sports car. What's more, Lotus also wants to delve into "lifestyle" vehicles and it will do so with a platform called Evolution.

We don't know about you, but to us, lifestyle car reads as SUV or crossover. Most likely of the electric variety.