After announcing its much-anticipated sports car before the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Lotus released the US pricing details of its all-new Emira.
Before we start, it’s important to mention that the Emira will be the last ICE-equipped sports car produced by the British-based carmaker. Not a very subtle way to remind everyone, but sure a pretty nice one! As expected, the original DNA and character of the other Lotus’s are still very much present inside the Emira, with a lightweight bonded aluminum chassis, the revered 3.5-liter supercharged Toyota V6 (i4 engine option also available), and a form follows function styling (surely a top contender for one of the most handsome cars this year).
The Hethel-based marquee plans to kick things off with an exclusive Emira V6 First Edition. As the name implies, the First Edition packs the classic 3.5-liter Toyota-built V6 engine, paired with an Edelbrock supercharger and a 6-speed manual transmission with a see-through shifting mechanism. As a result, the Emira First Edition pumps out a respectable 400 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque—not bad for such a light car.
Customers can also upgrade to a six-speed auto with paddle shifters for an additional $3,000. Other goodies include a Hydraulic Assisted Power Steering, two-piece brake discs with branding on the calipers, and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Furthermore, you can also opt for the Driver’s pack, allowing customers to choose between Tour or Sport suspensions with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tires or a Sport Suspension with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.
Still, unlike other Lotus models, the Emira is bestowed with all the essential bells and whistles expected from a modern vehicle. For starters, it receives a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, along with the usual music, navigation, and Bluetooth controls. The driver’s side is also equipped with a 12.3-inch TFT cluster behind the multi-function steering wheel. Lotus also teamed up with another British brand, KEF, to deliver a premium 10-speaker 340W audio system.
The Emira also comes with essential safety systems, such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Avoidance Systems, Fatigue Alerts, just to name a few—something we aren’t used to seeing on conventional Lotuses. And it gets even better inside the cabin, with customization options and numerous packs available. For instance, customers can choose between Nappa Leather upholstery in red, black, grey, and tan or Alcantara with red, yellow, or grey top-stitching on a black base. Add-on packs for the Emira include the Design, Convenience, and Black Packs, including specific features, such as an Alcantara headliner, sportier pedals, colored brake calipers, a backup camera, parking sensors, auto-dimming mirrors, black mirrors, and a black exhaust finish.
The Emira standard inline-4 version will start at $74,900, while the V6 First Edition will set you back $93,900 in the US. The four-cylinder version won’t arrive immediately, though, and will only be available starting from fall next year.
Gallery: Lotus Emira (UK Version)
