For the form of one who makes an effort to rise earlier than the solar to get an uninterrupted run on their favourite highway, the V6-powered Lotus Emira flirts with perfection. Because the sports activities automobile scene grows oversaturated with highly effective giants masking as featherweights, the small Lotus reads just like the product of a bygone period. A time when driver engagement, not boisterous efficiency stats, outlined what a sports activities automobile ought to be.
That is nothing new. It’s this very philosophy that has outlined Lotus from the beginning. Nevertheless, as we speak, what the British marque builds and, in the end, its identification is altering.
I haven’t pushed the Eletre SUV or the Emeya sedan as a result of they’re not but out there on the market within the US, so I can’t get on a digital soapbox and declare this pair of EVs to be the top of Lotus earlier than promptly fainting and being whisked off-stage. But, given the disparity in powertrain selection, type issue, and sheer scale, you don’t want seat time to inform that these new automobiles take the model in a wholly new path. One which creates stress with its legacy.
It’s at this pivotal second that the brand new Lotus Emira 2.0T begins to look in showrooms throughout the nation. In distinction to the EVs, which within the eyes of lovers are nothing wanting sacrilegious, this mid-engined four-cylinder sports activities automobile arrives like enterprise as ordinary. It’s genuinely mild, nice to take a look at, and surprisingly sensible.
Whereas the concept of an auto-only Lotus would’ve introduced out the pitchforks a decade in the past, the specter of electrification has even the harshest critics making an attempt an open thoughts for as soon as. It’s a fantastic factor, contemplating that the two.0T isn’t simply the brand new entry-level Emira. For all however diehard Lotus followers, it’s the one to get.
As devoted because the loyalists are, the previous twenty years of US gross sales present that catering purely to the gang for whom Colin Chapman quotes are extra sacred than bible verses isn’t a good way to maintain a automobile model. And whereas the V6-powered Evora provided an automated choice to broaden its attraction, it was a torque-converter plucked from Toyota’s catalog, not precisely a formidable rival to the Porsche Cayman’s PDK. The V6 Emira follows the same method and butts up in opposition to the identical limitations.
In distinction, the Lotus Emira 2.0T presents a possibility to draw potential consumers with a automobile that oozes character but in addition feels purpose-built to maneuver via gears independently. Lotus achieves this by pulling its hand out of Toyota’s elements bin and into Mercedes-AMG’s. After rummaging, it plucks the turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four out of AMG’s 35 and 45 fashions and its dual-clutch automated transmission, transplanting them into the Emira’s again.
The outcomes are instantly promising. Regardless of incorporating a heavier transmission, the four-banger’s smaller footprint is lighter than the V6 combo. Thus, the entry-level Emira’s 3,187-pound curb weight clocks in at slightly below the V6 automobile’s 3,212 lb determine. But it nonetheless produces 360 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, not far off the V6 automobile’s 400 hp and 310 lb-ft output. That’s admittedly not a ton contemplating this automobile’s $99,900 base worth, however I’ll come again to that.
As you first get shifting within the Lotus Emira 2.0T, you shortly notice that it presents an nearly reverse expertise to the V6 automobile from an influence supply standpoint. Its peak torque output picks in at 3,000 rpm, decrease within the tach than its sibling, making it really feel far faster when accelerating from decrease revs. Its rapid-shifting DCT makes its modest torque determine really feel generously underrated. It bursts off the road the place its sibling wants time to construct pace.
Concurrently, its energy supply holds pretty regular because it prices in direction of its 7,200-rpm redline, dropping off solely as you close to the highest. That’s a full 400 rpm past what the V6 can handle. Opposite to what one would possibly count on, if you would like the highest-revving model of this sports activities automobile, you’ll have to go for the Lotus Emira 2.0T.
As potent as this inline-four is, its sound is pretty standard. Though some turbo noises add to the expertise, you continue to get a reasonably muffled observe, helped solely by the subtlest trace of buzziness. That mentioned, the three.5-liter V6 isn’t notably sonorous both. No matter your selection, you’re in the end in it for the efficiency, lightness, and responsiveness, not sound. That is one space the place the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 has the athletic Lotus beat.
Nevertheless, no matter which engine powers it, one of many Lotus’ best strengths is that it isn’t a Porsche. Pretty much as good because the Cayman is, it’s turn out to be pretty ubiquitous, and the Emira presents a compelling counterargument for many who need one thing totally different. There’s a robust case to be made that the Lotus is the higher looker of the 2. It retains supercar proportions and easy but elegant styling provided in a downsized bundle. There’s a touch of “Honey, I Shrunk the Ferrari” to this automobile, and its appears to be like permit it to attraction to a broader viewers than the firmly enthusiast-oriented Elise and Evora.
Its design attracts folks in, however its usability entices them to remain. If I instructed you that the Lotus Emira 2.0T isn’t simply fast however mild on its toes, agile on a again highway, and delivers near-perfect dealing with, you’d say, “Duh, it’s a Lotus.” What you may not count on, nonetheless, is how this modification in powertrain broadens its potential use case. The V6 Emira outfitted with a handbook is under no circumstances difficult to drive. Nonetheless, it isn’t a compelling one-car answer for these in traffic-heavy areas. The two.0T is.
AMG’s DCT isn’t simply quick on a winding highway. It settles properly round city. Once you’re simply seeking to get someplace, you possibly can slot it into drive and go about your day with out considering twice. The cabin is quiet at low revs, whereas the Emira’s inside construct high quality is leaps forward of the Evora’s. This First Version mannequin I’m driving is superbly damped, delivering a compliant trip over tough surfaces. There’s ample cupboard space unfold throughout a decently sized trunk and a storage shelf behind its seats. This automobile is primed for weekend getaways or highway rallies regardless of its measurement.
As are its seats. The pair is comfy, and discovering the right seating place is simple, provided that the wheel and pedals are aligned exactly as you’d need. This cabin’s glorious visibility makes it approachable for these seeking to check out a mid-engined automobile for the primary time.
There are some quirks, nonetheless. Working its gear selector requires cautious consideration, given it requires a double enter because it defaults to a central place. Its shift paddles are tiny and really feel flimsy for a contact level you’re continuously in touch with.
The Lotus Emira 2.0T is a great-looking mid-engined sports activities automobile that’s nonetheless thrilling regardless of sporting an automated transmission. Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless an elephant within the room, and that’s its worth.
A 2024 Lotus Emira 2.0T like this one begins at $99,900, not together with vacation spot charges. A comparable 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 begins at $95,200, not accounting charges, whereas the present 2025 mannequin is available in at $99,700 following a current worth improve. Contemplating that the Porsche matches the Lotus from a usability perspective at the same worth level whereas providing a extra compelling flat-six engine, the Emira has sturdy competitors. Spend slightly extra, $113,795, to begin, and also you’re in Corvette Z06 territory.
But because the British carmaker navigates this unusual period the place it presents light-weight sportscars and full-size luxurious EVs, Lotus Emira 2.0T feels extra tied to its legacy than its future. Nevertheless, in contrast to the Elise, Evora, and even the V6 handbook Emira, its attraction extends past these prepared to stand up early for an ideal drive. Having fun with it doesn’t require splendid situations. Its most vital achievement isn’t that it’s an exciting sports activities automobile however an automated Lotus you’d need to have over the handbook. It’s lastly able to being a correct one-car answer.
