The Lotus Emira was unveiled in 2021 as the brand’s last petrol-powered sports car. It replaced the ageing Elise, Exige and Evora, bringing them under a single nameplate. Positioned as a mid-engined coupe, the Emira aimed to combine everyday usability with the lightweight handling Lotus was known for.
In its early years, the Lotus Emira was offered with a 3.5-litre Toyota-sourced V6 and later a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder developed with Mercedes-AMG. Both versions kept the car relevant against rivals from Porsche and Alpine. Overseas, the model carried the same Emira name without alternative badges, marking a shift from the multiple identities Lotus had used in the past.
Today the Lotus Emira sits in a transitional role for the British brand. It represents the end of Lotus’ combustion era before the full shift to electric models like the Lotus Eletre SUV. This makes it a key chapter in the company’s modern history.
The line-up currently starts at $199,990 for the Emira I4 1St Edition and ranges through to $213,990 for the range-topping Emira 1St Edition.
The Lotus Emira is available in thirteen colours - 'Mist White', 'Hethel Yellow', 'Seneca Blue', 'Nimbus Grey', 'Shadow Grey', 'Dark Verdant', 'Magma Red', 'Vivid Red', 'Meridian Blue', 'Atlantis Blue', 'Osmium Silver', 'Cosmos Black' and 'Zinc Grey'.
The Lotus Emira i4 is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine built by Mercedes-AMG. However, the tuning and calibration are unique to Lotus and it has been designed to make 268kW/430Nm.
While the Lotus Emira is a more luxurious model by the brand's previous standards, it remains a compact and impractical sports car - and that’s very much on brand. In terms of storage inside the cabin, there are two cup holders and a small lidded console box, but the size of the cabin means everything is quite narrow and feels a little tight for space.
The Lotus Emira i4 accelerates 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds and has a top speed of 275km/h.
The Lotus Emira has been designed as a more premium and luxurious sports car compared to the stripped down and basic models of the recent past. Standard equipment includes LED headlights, climate control, keyless ignition, cruise control, rear parking sensors, a premium sound system and a 12.3-inch digital dashboard.
Two petrol engines are available in the Lotus Emira: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder AMG-sourced unit with an output of 268kW/430Nm, or a 3.5-litre six-cylinder turbocharged unit with an output of 298kW/420Nm.
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The Lotus Emira has a small boot, measuring just 151 litres, which sits at the rear of the car, behind the engine.
The Lotus Emira is a two-seater sports car. The seats are comfortable and supportive and can be trimmed in Nappa leather or Alcantara.
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2025
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Body Type: Coupe | Braked Capacity from: 0kg |
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2024
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Body Type: Coupe | Braked Capacity from: 0kg |
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2023
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Body Type: Coupe | Braked Capacity from: 0kg |
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0kg
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2022
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Body Type: Coupe | Braked Capacity from: 0kg |
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0kg
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The Lotus Emira is equipped with a 60-litre fuel tank, so with its 10.1L/100km fuel consumption figure it has a driving range of approximately 594km.