Lotus Emira test: A magical sports car to say goodbye to the combustion engine

The Emira is the latest combustion engine car from the legendary English manufacturer, and everything has been done to make it a success. Given the thickness of the order book, the goal seems to have been achieved.

With a production capacity of 20 cars per day, the Hethel plant is running at full capacity to satisfy a clientele excited by this emira that turns heads. It must be said that after the pretty but austere Elise and Exige, the Emira wants to be more usable on a daily basis, with care for the interior, small practical details, without losing the essence of what makes a Lotus: the pleasure of driving.

Sporty but comfortable

The Emira is first and foremost a pure line, without an aerodynamic appendage, which seduces at first glance. The treatment of the cabin is also new for the brand, which offers several very neat trim levels, and is especially concerned with comfort: cup holder, storage spaces, digital instrumentation (2 screens of 10 and 12 inches), “keyless” system, cruise-control, rain sensor, electric retros, parking assistance … In short, enough to make the Emira very usable on a daily basis. Especially since seats and steering wheel are adjustable in height and depth, allowing everyone to find a very nice driving position. It changes from the simple “front-back” adjustment of the Elise’s seat!

But all this comfort at a price… Since its inception, Lotus’ major obsession has been weight. But with all this comfort, the Emira weighs between 1,405 and 1,435 kg at weigh, depending on the engine. That’s almost 300 kg more than an Alpine A110 (less powerful), and the same weight as a Porsche 718 GTS 4.0, the two main competitors. But so be it.

Pure pleasure

For the Emira, Lotus offers two engines: the 3.5-liter V6 turbo 400 hp of Toyota origin (engine of the Supra, already present on the Exige and evora), and the 4-cylinder 2-liter turbo 360 hp of Mercedes-AMG origin. You can also opt for a “Touring” chassis, and a “Sport”, more radical and indicated for those who regularly go to the circuit. It is a Touring version that we have taken in hand both on the road and on the circuit.

The first observation is the driving comfort of the car. On the often narrow and uneven roads of Norfolk, north-east of London, the Emira is docile and comfortable. The V6 is pleasant, very “civilian”, and its torque available from low revs makes it possible not to play too much of the gear lever. The “road feel” is typically Lotus, with a very precise front axle but which transmits all the information of the road to the driver, forcing the latter to frequent “mini” corrections at the wheel. But overall, we quickly start to consider a long trip for two without apprehension, as the Emira is easy to live.

On the circuit and when everything is in Sport mode, personality change. The engine is louder, the braking is powerful and enduring, and the Emira is formidable in efficiency. It is really necessary to rush the car so that the rear axle admits defeat and allows a slight drift. Nothing but fun!

The Lotus Emira V6 First Edition in a few figures

• Engine: V6, petrol, turbo, 3.456cc; 400ch; 420Nm
• Transmission: to the rear wheels
• Gearbox: manual 6-speed
• L/l/h (mm) : 4.412/1.895/1.225
• Empty weight (kg) : 1.435
• Trunk volume (l): N.C.
• Tank (l): N.C.
• 0 to 100 kph (sec.): 4.3
• Maximum speed (km/h): 288
• Conso. Mixed (l/100 km): N.C.
• CO2 (g/km) : 258
• Price (€) : +/-96.000

The Lotus Emira is currently offered in a “First Edition” version, priced at around €96,000. Other versions will arrive in 2023, from €75,000 to €80,000.

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