Lotus has pulled the wraps off its eagerly-anticipated Emira – a new mid-engined sports car that aims to compete head-to-head with the Porsche Cayman.
Indirectly replacing the Elise, Exige and Evora, the Emira (pronounced ‘Eh-meer-ah) is Lotus’s first new sports car in more than a decade, and will be the brand’s last model to be powered by combustion engines. After it, Lotus will gear up its electrified range, already headed up by the battery-powered Evija hypercar.
Launching at the start of 2022 with the same 3.5-litre V6 engine that featured in the Exige and Evora, Lotus will expand the range with a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that comes from Mercedes-AMG. It signals the first time the brands have worked together and could signal other potential partnerships. Power outputs will range from 360bhp to 400bhp, with Lotus also promising a 0-60mph time of under 4.5 seconds and a top speed of up to 180mph.
With a design heavily inspired by the Evija, the Emira gets a sleek modern look, as well as a big step up when it comes to fit and finish. Lotus itself says it ‘captures the visual drama of an exotic supercar – and we’re inclined to agree. Large 20-inch alloy wheels are fitted to all models, while vertical full-LED headlights are also included.
At the rear, the Emira gets sleek LED lights as well as prominent ‘LOTUS’ badging across the bumper. Large air inlets add to the sporty character, too, while the firm says no active aero features are present because ‘clever engineering means they’re not needed’.
Inside, the Emira takes a big leap forward in terms of quality and technology. There's a new digital dial display and large touchscreen that are a big step up from the systems you’d find in the brand’s outgoing model. That said, sporty touches remain – including a semi-exposed gear linkage on manual V6 cars as well as a metallic flat-bottomed sports steering wheel.
Designed as an ‘everyday sports car’, Lotus promises the Emira will be usable, practical and great over long distances, with a specific ‘Tour’ setting available for maximum comfort.
Matt Windle, managing director of Lotus Cars, said: “The Emira is a game-changer for Lotus. It stands as a beacon of everything we have achieved to date in the transformation of the business, the embodiment of our progress. It is a highly significant milestone on our path to becoming a truly global performance car brand.”
Production of the Emira will take place at Lotus’ base in Hethel, Norfolk, following a £100m investment in the UK from the brand’s parent company Geely, which also owns Volvo.
Lotus is promising a starting price of less than £60,000, with deposits now being taken at the firm’s dealers.
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