Say hello to the new Lotus Emira - a striking new everyday ‘junior supercar’ that costs a lot less than you might expect.
The stunningly-styled Emira takes its inspiration from the Lotus Evija, a near 2,000 bhp electric hypercar that’d set you back more than £2 million.
The Emira, on the other hand, costs a lot less than that at just £60,000. And as a thrilling two-seat, mid-engined sports car, it’s also a hell of a lot cheaper than the nearest Ferrari or McLaren.
Lotus says the Emira is a ‘quantum leap forward’ for the British firm. It’s a car that’s been created very much ‘for the drivers’, but which has also been built to provide practicality, comfort and functionality as well as technology.
Which means it’s a junior supercar you’d be able to use as a daily driver.
Matt Windle, Managing Director, Lotus Cars says:
“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.”
Owners will have a choice of two engines.
You can opt for the characterful, Lotus-honed 3.5-litre V6 - borrowed from the Exige and Evora - or you can choose the 2.0-litre four-cylinder ‘i4’ from AMG Mercedes-Benz.
Those powertrains translate to between 360 and 400hp, maximum torque of 430 Nm and an acceleration time of 0-62mph in less than 4.5 seconds.
There’s also two distinct chassis and suspension settings. ‘Tour’ is tuned for everyday road use, ‘delivering the optimum blend of Lotus dynamic performance and handling with a more comfortable ride’. Meanwhile ‘Sports’ is available with the optional Lotus Drivers Pack and provides a slightly stiffer suspension set-up for ‘enhanced dynamic capability and feel’. Hydraulic steering should provide excellent feedback for the driver.
Inside the cabin, things have been specifically tailored for ‘long distance journeys’, which means comfort and storage space, as well as a premium sound system and a 10.25 inch infotainment screen.
You can also enjoy keyless go, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, electric folding door mirrors, rear parking sensors, auto-dimming rear view mirror, curtain airbags, launch control, 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.
What’s more, Lotus says you can even fit a set of golf clubs in the boot.
Richard Moore, Executive Director, Engineering, Lotus, adds:
“Lotus customers around the world have rightly come to expect outstanding dynamic performance from our sports cars, and they will undoubtedly get that with the Emira. Like every great Lotus it has that element of theatre, for example, the visible gearshift mechanism on manual cars and the exposed throttle actuator in the V6 engine bay.
What will surprise and delight sports car customers the world over is the level of practicality, functionality and comfort which sets new standards for Lotus.”
The Lotus Emira will start being delivered to customers in the Spring of next year.
Enjoyed this? Read our latest news:
- Retro inspired new Abarth 695 Esseesse unleashed
- Alfa Romeo borrows F1 tech for new Giulia GTA
- Barnstorming new Audi RS 3 teased ahead of arrival
- New Dacia Duster is more capable than ever
-
Peugeot reveals striking new 308 SW estate
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to our newsletter here.
