Lotus is a brand that has always been synonymous with pure driving pleasure. The British sports car maker has a rich heritage of producing lightweight, agile, and engaging machines that reward the driver with unparalleled feedback and involvement. From the iconic Elan to the revolutionary Elise, Lotus has always been at the forefront of innovation and performance.
But times are changing, and Lotus is changing with them. The company has announced that the 2024 Lotus Emira will be its last model to feature an internal combustion engine before it transitions to an all-electric future. The Lotus Emira is also the successor to the Lotus Evora GT, which is currently the only Lotus sold in the U.S. The Emira promises to be more practical, more refined, and more advanced than any Lotus before it while still retaining the core values of the brand.
The Lotus Emira will be available with two engine options: a supercharged 3.5-liter V6 sourced from Toyota or a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder sourced from Mercedes-AMG. The V6 will produce 400 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque and will be paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder will produce 360 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque and will be paired exclusively with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Both engines will send power to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential, and both will feature launch control and variable valve timing. Lotus claims that the Emira will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds with either engine and reach a top speed of 180 mph. The Emira will also have three driving modes: Tour, Sport, and Race, which will adjust the throttle response, steering weight, stability control, and exhaust sound.
But what makes the Lotus Emira truly special is not its numbers but its character. Lotus has designed the Emira to be the ultimate human driving machine, a car that connects the driver with the road in a way that few modern sports cars can. The Emira features a bonded aluminum chassis that is stiff, light, and strong. The suspension is tuned to deliver exceptional handling and ride quality, with double wishbones at the front and rear, adaptive dampers, and forged aluminum components.
The steering is hydraulically assisted, not electrically, which means it provides an unrivaled feel and feedback. The brakes are powerful and progressive, with four-piston calipers and ventilated discs. The tires are specially developed by Goodyear for the Emira, with different compounds for the V6 and the four-cylinder models. The aerodynamics are optimized to reduce drag and increase downforce without resorting to any active spoilers or wings.
The result is a car that is agile, responsive, and balanced, a car that communicates every nuance of the road to the driver through its steering wheel, pedals, and seat. A car that can be driven fast or slow, on smooth or rough roads, in wet or dry conditions, with confidence and enjoyment. A car that rewards skill and finesse, not brute force or technology.