The Lotus Emira, a mid-engined, eye-catching, premium sports car with thrilling performance and exceptional ride and handling
Two engines are offered, sending their power to the rear wheels. The first is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit from Mercedes AMG, while the other is the supercharged 3.5-litre V6 from the Evora.
I plumped for the V6 because of the fantastic soundtrack and because you can choose to have it supplied with a sweet six-speed manual gearbox. It develops 400bhp and an ample 420Nm of torque, which means it can sprint from 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds. It returns around 25.4mpg, but that figure will change depending on whether you’re enjoying the noise or cruising on a major road.
The car’s infotainment system is accessed via a 10.25-inch centrally mounted touchscreen, with an additional 12.3-inch digital driver’s display behind the steering wheel. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included as standard, and I’m happy to report that features such as the heater controls get simple physical controls.
Additional features available on the Emira include cruise control, keyless go, electric folding door mirrors, rear parking sensors, curtain airbags, and a stolen vehicle tracker. Also exclusive to the Emira is a 10-channel premium sound system from KEF, a well-known British brand.
The new design language initially displayed on the Evija hypercar is being used for the first time on this Lotus sports car. In the sports vehicle market, it offers exotic supercar appeal with its modern design, sculpted surfaces, and technical details. In addition to being a fresh and more upscale approach for Lotus in terms of forms and materials, it also represents a significant improvement in fit and quality.
At the back, an integrated bumper prominently displays the Lotus name, while a body-coloured panel evidently takes design cues from the Evija’s bumper. At the base, positioned on either side of the number plate, you’ll find a black panel that houses the exhaust pipes and an air diffuser to help with downforce.
The two, four-way electrically adjustable seats have been designed to offer exceptional lateral support when cornering at high speed and be comfortable for long-distance journeys.
The cabin is driver-focused, featuring many soft-trimmed surfaces and showcasing premium British craftsmanship. They complement the car’s contemporary technological finishes beautifully, making for an exciting drive, and they include touches that pay homage to Lotus’s history and motorsport achievements.
The placing of the gearstick on manual gearbox vehicles is reminiscent of the legendary Esprit, and on V6 manual gearbox Elise and Exige models, there is semi-exposed gear linkage visible at the base of the centre console. The scarlet cover that protects the start/stop button adds to the theatrical atmosphere.
The Emira’s wider track gives it more stability, better road holding, and the impression of a low centre of gravity compared to any road car from Lotus in recent memory. All wheels are 20 inches in diameter and fitted with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tyres.
Skilful engineering eliminates the necessity for active aerodynamics, so they are not required. The unique feature of this vehicle is its ability to generate passive downforce that is evenly distributed between the front and rear axles regardless of speed. This is achieved by carefully adjusting the geometry of the car’s suspension and weight distribution. Consistent, exact, and predictable handling characteristics are achieved as downforce builds with speed, providing superb grip through turns.
The grip and power are outstanding for fast cornering, while the Emira can be remarkably calm and collected on major roads.
The Emira’s cabin features two central cup holders, one for phones and the other for other small items, as well as door bins that can contain a 500ml bottle, which is more storage than most sports cars. The glovebox, trinket tray ahead of the gearstick, armrest between the seats, and console net all contribute to the vehicle’s practicality. The armrests include 12v and USB outlets, while the net can hold bottles or documents.
Luggage or other large items can be stored in the 208-litre space behind the seats or the 151-litre boot. You could imagine using it every day, which is precisely what Lotus set out to achieve.
The Emira Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)are available, which include adaptive cruise control, anti-collision system, fatigue alert, road sign information, vehicle speed limiter, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane change assist.
It’s a hugely impressive sports car with head-turning supermodel looks, an interior way better than any previous Lotus, and a thrilling drive.
The Emira is offered with a transferable, three-year, unlimited mileage warranty.
Steve Grant
Motoring Journalist
Currently secretary of the Western Group of Motoring Writers. Steve’s been a committed petrolhead since he was a small boy, constantly pestering local dealerships for posters, brochures and anything else car-related.
What the others say on YouTube
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