Lotus has built no-nonsense, enthusiast-focused sports cars for decades, prioritizing lightness and efficiency over creature comforts, complicated tech and large-displacement engines. The Emira is the latest and arguably best of these, representing decades of honing and development for what is likely to be the last fully gas-powered Lotus sports car.
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The Emira stays true to Lotus’ mantra of lightweight performance, but adds just a bit more passenger comfort to compliment the razor-sharp handling and evocative soundtrack. Priced at just over $100,000, it arrives ready to do battle with competitors like the C8-generation Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0.
Cars.com’s Conner Golden recently spent some extended seat time in this latest offering from Lotus in a variety of driving conditions. He came away generally impressed, in spite of mixed feelings about the Emira being the last of a breed. Tap the link above for Golden’s expert review, and read on for five things we like about the Lotus Emira and two things we don’t.
Things We Like
1. Fast and Melodious
Power comes from a supercharged 3.5-liter V-6 with 400 horsepower and 310 pounds-feet of torque when matched with the six-speed manual transmission. Sourced from Toyota and located right behind the driver’s head, the powertrain is a delight, with immediate response that comes on in a rush and is accompanied by a delightful soundtrack. Lotus claims a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 4.2 seconds.
2. Go With the Stick
Lotus offers a six-speed automatic transmission with the Emira, but here’s a piece of advice: stick with the six-speed manual. Like much of the Emira’s underpinnings and structure, the transmission is carried over from the previous Lotus Evora, and as was the case in the prior car, the manual gearbox has a direct and mechanical feel and is much more engaging and better suited to the Lotus’ powertrain than the clunky six-speed automatic.
3. Simple Is Good
Lotus offers a choice of two suspension setups with the Emira. The Touring is designed for street use, while the Sport is more track-focused. Neither offers the option of electronic wizardry or subsettings to fine-tune things to the driver’s liking. That’s OK with us because nobody does suspensions like Lotus, and the Emira is no exception. We did not get a chance to sample the Sport, but we found the Touring to be both comfortable and capable, with all the cornering response and precision needed for street use.
4. Improved Interior
Lotus interiors have long been on the minimalist side, with ergonomic quirks and a focus more on performance than comfort. That has significantly changed with the Emira, offering plenty of leg and headroom with comfortable, supportive seating for two. There’s also a suite of improved materials including microsuede and leather, not to mention a set of reasonably conventional controls. A new 12.3-inch digital display sits in front of the driver, and there’s a vivid 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen in the center of the dash.
5. Driving Experience
Our test car equipped with the Touring suspension proved both responsive and confidence-inspiring to drive, with quick turn-in and tenacious grip. Goodyear Eagle F1 tires provide all the traction needed for socially responsible street use, and the hydraulic steering offers progressive response with good feedback. What’s most impressive is how balanced and communicative the Lotus feels overall, with excellent communication from the steering and suspension.
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Things We Don’t Like
1. Clunky Automatic
While the manual transmission feels especially well suited to the Emira and its V-6 engine, the Aisin six-speed automatic is a big disappointment. It balks and stumbles in a way reminiscent of an automated manual transmission from the late 1990s and early 2000s, if perhaps not quite that bad. Still, the transmission lacks the smoothness and quick response of most modern automatic transmissions.
2. Careful Opening the Trunk
The Emira may be the most mainstream Lotus yet, but there are still some quirks to remind you of its low-production nature. Opening the rear hatch to toss in a suitcase in a rainstorm resulted in giving the engine a bath, since the same hatch provides engine access. That said, the engine didn’t seem to mind and remained faultless in operation during our time with it.
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