For the type of one that makes an effort to rise earlier than the solar to get an uninterrupted run on their favourite street, the V6-powered Lotus Emira flirts with perfection. Because the sports activities automotive 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 automotive needs to be.
That is nothing new. It’s this very philosophy that has outlined Lotus from the beginning. Nevertheless, right this moment, what the British marque builds and, finally, its id is altering.
I haven’t pushed the Eletre SUV or the Emeya sedan as a result of they’re not but accessible on the market within the US, so I can’t get on a digital soapbox and declare this pair of EVs to be the tip of Lotus earlier than promptly fainting and being whisked off-stage. But, given the disparity in powertrain selection, kind issue, and sheer scale, you don’t want seat time to inform that these new automobiles take the model in a completely new course. One which creates pressure 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 automotive arrives like enterprise as normal. It’s genuinely mild, nice to take a look at, and surprisingly sensible.
Whereas the thought 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 20 years of US gross sales present that catering purely to the group for whom Colin Chapman quotes are extra sacred than bible verses isn’t a good way to maintain a automotive model. And whereas the V6-powered Evora supplied an automated choice to broaden its enchantment, 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 an identical system and butts up in opposition to the identical limitations.
In distinction, the Lotus Emira 2.0T presents a possibility to draw potential patrons with a automotive that oozes character but additionally 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 automotive’s 3,212 lb determine. But it nonetheless produces 360 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, not far off the V6 automotive’s 400 hp and 310 lb-ft output. That’s admittedly not a ton contemplating this automotive’s $99,900 base worth, however I’ll come again to that.
As you first get shifting within the Lotus Emira 2.0T, you rapidly notice that it provides an nearly reverse expertise to the V6 automotive 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 fees in the 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 need the highest-revving model of this sports activities automotive, you’ll have to go for the Lotus Emira 2.0T.
As potent as this inline-four is, its sound is pretty typical. Though some turbo noises add to the expertise, you continue to get a reasonably muffled be aware, helped solely by the subtlest trace of buzziness. That mentioned, the three.5-liter V6 isn’t significantly sonorous both. No matter your selection, you’re finally 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’ biggest strengths is that it isn’t a Porsche. Nearly as good because the Cayman is, it’s develop into pretty ubiquitous, and the Emira provides a compelling counterargument for individuals who need one thing completely 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 supplied in a downsized package deal. There’s a touch of “Honey, I Shrunk the Ferrari” to this automotive, and its appears permit it to enchantment 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 street, 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 guide is not at all difficult to drive. Nonetheless, it isn’t a compelling one-car resolution for these in traffic-heavy areas. The two.0T is.
AMG’s DCT isn’t simply quick on a winding street. It settles properly round city. Once you’re simply seeking to get someplace, you’ll be able to 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 automotive is primed for weekend getaways or street rallies regardless of its measurement.
As are its seats. The pair is comfy, and discovering the correct seating place is simple, provided that the wheel and pedals are aligned exactly as you’d need. This cabin’s wonderful visibility makes it approachable for these seeking to check out a mid-engined automotive 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 consistently in touch with.
The Lotus Emira 2.0T is a great-looking mid-engined sports activities automotive 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 latest worth improve. Contemplating that the Porsche matches the Lotus from a usability perspective at an identical worth level whereas providing a extra compelling flat-six engine, the Emira has sturdy competitors. Spend a little bit extra, $113,795, to start out, and also you’re in Corvette Z06 territory.
But because the British carmaker navigates this unusual period the place it provides 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 guide Emira, its enchantment extends past these keen to rise up early for an ideal drive. Having fun with it doesn’t require best situations. Its most vital achievement isn’t that it’s an exciting sports activities automotive however an automated Lotus you’d wish to have over the guide. It’s lastly able to being a correct one-car resolution.
