Lotus Emira

If you removed the badges from the three new-generation Lotus models - Eletre, Evija, and Emira - and poked around under the skin, only the Emira would be somewhat recognizable as a "proper Lotus" with its gas engines and relatively light weight. That makes sense since this Lotus Emira represents the end of an era for the British carmaker as its final gas-powered sports car. The Emira comes with two rather different engine options, the first one being a Toyota-sourced 3.5-liter supercharged V6 with 400 horsepower and the other a 2.0-liter turbo-four with 360 hp from AMG, which is arriving later on. Only the V6 can be equipped with a manual gearbox. Weighing in at 3,097 pounds in its lightest form, the Emira perfectly recaptures the essence of Lotus in a compact, fun, sports car package, but one with all the modern amenities buyers expect. Rivals like the Porsche 718 Cayman and Chevrolet Corvette Z06 are quicker, but Lotus' ability to provide the driving thrills of much more powerful cars has always been its shtick, and the Emira appears to be no different.

The 2024 Lotus Emira is the first model year for the new mid-engined sports car in the USA. It has been beset by production delays, and certification issues further pushed back the arrival of the V6 First Edition model. 1,500 V6 First Edition models have been allocated to the USA before the cheaper four-cylinder models arrive in 2024 as 2025 models. This means that all 2024 models will use the 400-hp V6, and the Emira will also be most expensive this model year as only the high-spec First Edition will be available at over $100,000.

Lotus says that the Emira's design evokes the allure of an exotic supercar in the sports car segment, and there are few onlookers who wouldn't describe it as an attractive machine. It has a wide stance, yet the compact overall dimensions make for a car that looks as agile as the name on the nose suggests. The sharp feature lines and fluid surfaces draw inspiration from the Evija, as do the exit vents on the hood that help to efficiently guide airflow over the body. All-LED headlamps are standard and have a vertical design, while the hood's edge features the first implementation of the revised Lotus roundel.

Along the sides, the doors feature sculpted sections that also serve an important aerodynamic role by guiding airflow toward the intakes positioned ahead of the rear wheels. The First Edition comes with 20-inch V-spoke forged alloy wheels that can be had in one of three finishes: Diamond Cut, Silver, or Gloss Black. These wheels are shod in Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tires by default.

At the back, the Lotus wordmark leaves other road users in no doubt about what car it is you're driving, and there are striking C-shaped LED light clusters. Twin tailpipes and an air diffuser complete what is probably the car's most arresting angle.

Roughly comparable in size to a Porsche 718 Cayman, the dimensions of the Lotus Emira make it one of the smallest high-end sports cars on the market. It has a length of 173.7 inches, a width of 74.6 inches, and an extremely low height of 48.2 inches. The wheelbase is 101.4 inches, which is short but actually four inches longer than the Cayman's wheelbase.

Lotus has only quoted a curb weight of 3,097 pounds for the 2024 Emira "in its lightest form," so we assume this applies to the base four-cylinder model that is arriving at a later stage. For the record, the base Cayman four-cylinder weighs 3,040 lbs with its manual gearbox. Despite it having a very modern interior and all the latest gadgets, Lotus should be applauded for keeping the Emira's weight quite low and comparable to the older Evora.

Lotus has curated quite a generous selection of exterior colors for the Emira. On the more reserved end of the palette, customers can choose from Cosmos Black, Shadow Grey, Zinc Grey, Nimbus Grey, Osmium Silver, Mist White, and Dark Verdant. There are three blues - Seneca, Atlantis, and Meridian - as well as Hethel Yellow. Vivid Red and Magma Red complete the palette, and to be honest, the Emira looks good in just about any one of these colors.

A Lower Black Pack that coats the air blades, front splitter, side sills, and rear diffuser in glossy black is standard on the First Edition, and a more comprehensive optional Black Pack adds more black to the roof panel, the tailpipes, the rear Lotus badge, and more. Four brake caliper colors for the Lotus Emira can further customize its appearance.

For the 2024 model year in the USA, the only available engine is the 3.5-liter supercharged V6 sourced from Toyota. It produces 400 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque in the Emira with the automatic transmission, and the same power but slightly less torque of 310 lb-ft with the manual. With the manual, the Lotus Emira's 0-60 mph time is 4.2 seconds, and the top speed is 180 mph. If you prefer to leave shifting duties to the car, the automatic model will hit 60 in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 169 mph. These performance specs for the Lotus Emira are good, but it's also not overpowered or the fastest thing on four wheels.

Despite its power deficit, the 360-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four engine is nearly as quick as the V6 manual, reaching 60 in 4.3 seconds. This is likely because it has a quick-shifting dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine will only be available at a later date, but as with the V6, it directs power to the rear wheels.

Considering its price, the new Lotus Emira V6 First Edition is quick but hardly the quickest sports car around. The Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 makes 394 hp but can reach 60 in 3.8 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package and its dual-clutch automatic. As for the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, that will absolutely blow the Lotus away with its 670-hp V8 and 0-60 time of 2.6 seconds.

The 3.5-liter supercharged V6 engine in the Lotus Emira is the familiar Toyota-sourced 2GR-FE mill that's been around for a long time, having also been used in the Evora and Exige. Perhaps it wasn't worth Lotus developing all-new gas engines from scratch, considering that the Emira is its final gas-powered car.

The V6 produces 400 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque with the optional six-speed automatic, or 310 lb-ft when paired with the six-speed manual gearbox. While not the most melodious engine ever, the supercharger whine does add some character to proceedings, and mid-range grunt is strong. Combined with the well-weighted clutch and the car's reasonably light weight, the Lotus Emira V6 is highly enjoyable to drive. We can't imagine the six-speed automatic being nearly as fun, but it does come with paddle shifters for manual intervention.

AMG's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot will be available at a later stage, and it makes 360 hp and 317 lb-ft. It will differ from the V6 by only being available with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

The new Lotus Emira coupe has all the ingredients to deliver a great driving experience, with the same bonded extruded aluminum chassis technology that was first seen on the Elise. The supercharged V6 is mounted midship and delivers 400 hp, with power going to the rear wheels only. And, instead of feedback-robbing electric power steering, the Emira has a hydraulic system.

The Touring suspension is better suited for everyday use, taking the edge off the firm ride with the Sport setup. Neither is inappropriate for a sports car of this nature, however, and the car handles larger bumps regardless of which suspension setup you choose. The car feels alive and light on its feet even at slower speeds, so does not need to be thrashed to be enjoyed, and the manual gearbox is enjoyable but requires some work and concentration to operate. The clutch needs a fair bit of muscle, and accuracy is required when changing to a higher gear. However, these aspects amplify the driver's connection with a car.

Undoubtedly, the steering will be the star of the show. It bristles with natural feedback that most electric systems fail to replicate, and when turning off the safety intervention systems on a track, the car is at its very best.

On the First Edition, the Lotus Drivers Pack includes a switchable exhaust to change up the sound and a Track Mode for the electronic stability program.

EPA ratings for the rear-wheel-drive Emira have not been published yet, but the Evora that also had a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 returned 20 mpg. This is an area where the forthcoming four-cylinder M139 engine from AMG should come out on top as it manages 23 mpg combined in the Mercedes CLA 45 with AWD, a car that's quite a bit heavier than the Emira.

With a 14.5-gallon gas tank, the Emira V6 should be capable of around 290 miles, assuming similar efficiency to the Evora.

It's safe to say that the interior of the Lotus Emira represents a welcome improvement over the Evora. The design is more premium, the materials nicer, and there are all the modern amenities one would expect in a new sports car. Like the exterior, the cabin hasn't been overstyled, with a simplicity to the controls that is appreciated, while physical controls for the climate control system are easy to operate. All models have a crisp digital gauge cluster, while the First Edition enjoys heated seats with 12-way power adjustment. As with its Porsche rival, the Emira doesn't require any acrobatics to get comfortable behind the wheel, making it a decent daily driver. Climate control, rear parking sensors, and USB ports are among the other standard items.

The Lotus Emira seats two occupants only, but both the driver and passenger will appreciate the range of adjustment, while the low, sporty driving position works well in a car of this type. Creating enough second-row interior space is always a challenge in a mid-engined car, so Lotus hasn't bothered trying to do that here; instead, there is a storage area behind the front seats. The bulkhead contributes to a slightly claustrophobic feel - or it's appealingly intimate, depending on how you look at it. Still, the cabin is airier than the Evora's, with good legroom and headroom. There is a wide sill to clamber over, but ingress and egress are not a problem in general. Standard models only have four-way seat adjustment compared to the 12-way seats in the First Edition.

The First Edition comes with several upgrades to the interior materials that make it feel a cut above the cheaper Emiras. Seating upholstery is Nappa leather and can be finished in Black, Red, Ice Grey, or Tan. Alternatively, the seats can have Alcantara centers in black with contrast color stitching. The black leather-trimmed steering wheel can be replaced with an Alcantara version. First Edition models also have an Alcantara finish for the headlining and A-pillars, plus premium carpet mats with Lotus branding.

When the cheaper models arrive, they'll have leather and technical fabric upholstery. Overall, though, it's pleasing to see that the Emira has a cabin of such quality, as it should for the price.

Since the Lotus Emira doesn't have rear seats, this space has been replaced by a cargo area measuring 7.3 cubic feet in size. A dedicated trunk space at the back and positioned close to the engine measures another 5.3 cubes and is claimed to be able to accommodate a standard-sized flight case or a set of golf clubs. There are concerns that this luggage area will get very hot, considering its proximity to the engine, so be careful what you choose to store in there. The Porsche Cayman is more practical, though, as it has 9.7 cubes of space in its rear trunk and another 5.2 cubes in its front luggage compartment.

In the cabin, there are dual cupholders along with a center armrest and storage space. Door bins can accommodate a bottle of your favorite drink, there is a small space ahead of the shift lever for your smartphone, and the glove box is an acceptable size.

The Lotus Emira ships with numerous features as standard. That includes climate control, keyless go, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, regular cruise control, and power-folding exterior mirrors. For the First Edition, the seats are not only heated but come with 12-way power adjustments, including adjustable lumbar support. The driver's seat also enjoys two memory settings for the seat and mirrors.

Unlike previous Lotus sports cars that only came with the most basic safety equipment, the Emira can be equipped with adaptive cruise control, fatigue alert, lane departure warning, lane change assist, and more.

Developed in-house, the Lotus Emira's infotainment system successfully catapults the brand into the modern era. It makes use of a 10.25-inch touchscreen interface, with more information displayed on the 12.3-inch TFT digital driver's display. The latter could be a tad brighter, but there are otherwise few complaints about the setup.

The system is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while satellite navigation is also available. Devices can also be connected via Bluetooth, dual USB ports, and a single Type-C port. Whereas cheaper trims have a seven-speaker sound system, the First Edition comes with a KEF premium 10-channel sound system with 560 watts of punch and a fresh air subwoofer.

With no J.D. Power rating and cars yet to reach customers at the time of writing, it's too early to accurately gauge the reliability of the Lotus Emira. The engines are proven, and the car is clearly built well, so we do expect the Emira to be quite dependable.

The limited and powertrain warranties of the Emira run for three years or 36,000 miles, which isn't the most comprehensive, and there is no complimentary scheduled maintenance.

Local authorities like the IIHS and NHTSA have not yet had the opportunity to assess the Lotus Emira for a safety review, and the car's price and limited production numbers will likely prevent a crash test from ever happening.

On a positive note, the Emira comes with curtain airbags in addition to the usual dual front airbags. Tire pressure monitoring, electronic stability control, cruise control, a rearview camera, and rear parking sensors are all standard.

Of greater interest is the range of advanced driver-assistance systems that are available. This list includes adaptive cruise control, an anti-collision system, fatigue alert, road sign information, a vehicle speed limiter, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane change assist.

Lotus has turned out a brilliant final chapter for what has been a long line of driver-focused sports cars with the Emira. It largely stays faithful to the classic Lotus recipe of light weight and just enough power to excite without resorting to excess in any way. The supercharged V6 does a decent job of injecting the Emira with zippy performance, and the car's feelsome hydraulic steering and agility are to be admired. We also love the interior that sets new standards for the brand, plus the dazzling styling that looks more special than its Porsche rival. Although not hugely practical, that's a minor criticism for a car like this. We do also have to wait and see if the much cheaper base models and those with the AMG engine will be as good as the First Edition V6. Based on this first encounter, we expect even these Emira models to be excellent.

The price of the 2024 Lotus Emira is $105,400 for the only available model at the time of writing, that being the V6 First Edition. When pricing was initially announced in 2021, the MSRP for this Lotus Emira was $93,900, but several delays followed. Fortunately, clients who ordered the initial batch of First Edition models have had their prices locked at the lower amount.

With the cheaper models also delayed, their prices haven't been confirmed just yet. Previously, the base Emira was said to be starting from $74,900 or $82,900 for the base V6. We anticipate a base price of around $80k when the cheapest model becomes available.

The main option for the V6 First Edition is the six-speed automatic transmission at $2,150, and we'd easily give that a skip.

There is a Black Pack that finishes various exterior components in glossy black, including the mirror pods and tailpipe finishes. Customers can also equip an Alcantara or leather steering wheel with a TDC (Top Dead Center) marker and a vehicle tracker. For the First Edition, the Sport chassis can replace the Touring chassis for no added cost, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires are available. It's clear that the Emira isn't as customizable as the typical Porsche, but the car feels so right as is that there isn't much we'd want to change.

For the 2024 model year, the only Emira you can drive off in is the First Edition V6. We'd have ours with the manual gearbox and in Seneca Blue paint, but there isn't much else we'd change.

It will be intriguing to compare the V6 with the four-cylinder AMG unit when that arrives, especially since the AMG engine comes with a unique dual-clutch automatic gearbox.