The new Lotus Emira is set to drop in early 2022 for the U.S. It’s to be the last petrol-powered car to be released by Lotus as they move forward with their plan to completely electrify their line-up.
This new car from Lotus is their first sportscar they’ve released since the Evora in 2009 and this new Emira looks like it could take on a Porsche Cayman. While it’s a comeback of sorts for Lotus, it’s also a bit of a send-off. This is the last Lotus to be powered by a combustion engine with the rest of their upcoming models being full-on Electric Vehicles.
The Emira itself is a two-seater with a bonded aluminium chassis with wrapped fibreglass bodywork. In the bodywork you’ll find heavily contoured scoops in the doors that channel air into the mid-mounted engine. You also get a solid boot with 5.3 cubic feet of storage with an extended 7.3 cubic feet of space behind the seats. So as long as you aren’t driving kids around to soccer practice, this should have enough space for your luggage.
There are two options for engines: a Mercedes AMG-sourced 2L four-cylinder turbo that packs in 360hp, or the supercharged 400hp Toyota 3.5L V6. The V6 is the same found in the Evora. You can only get a manual gearbox in the V6. It will be able to go from 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in less than 4.5 seconds for a top speed of 290km/h (180mph).
These aren’t bad specs at all considering the very competitive price that its selling for. UK based auto platform, carwow, described the car as an “amazing ¼ price Ferrari 488 Pista.” The V6 version will go for $93,900 USD, while the four-cylinder version will be priced at $74,900 USD.
For the interior you’ve got all the modern comforts as Lotus have intended for this car to be driven daily and not just the days you’re at the track. The Emira has a 10.2-inch central touchscreen with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Other features include ambient lighting, KEF speakers, and new safety features.
It’s a very pretty looking car. Its lines are smooth and quite simply it looks like a competitor. It might not be the most original design, but it certainly does enough to stand out and at its price point it certainly is competing. The Emira looks like something that should cost well over $100,000 USD but the fact that it doesn’t makes this car seem like a great deal.
In other automotive news, McLaren have shown off the new Australian Exclusive Daniel Ricciardo 720S.