Lotus Emira: The Last Petrol-Powered Lotus

The Lotus Emira represents a new era for Lotus, blending modern styling and comfort with the company’s signature focus on lightweight, engaging driving dynamics. As the last petrol-powered car from the British manufacturer, the Emira is a swan song for an iconic brand transitioning to electrification.

Power/Drivetrain Overview

The Lotus Emira is available with two engine options: a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 sourced from Toyota, producing 400 horsepower, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four from AMG, delivering 360 horsepower. Both engines send power to the rear wheels via a manual or automatic transmission, ensuring the Emira caters to purists and those seeking convenience alike. Its lightweight construction allows it to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 4.3 seconds.

Handling Characteristics

Lotus has always been synonymous with precision handling, and the Emira is no exception. With its bonded aluminum chassis, finely tuned suspension, and hydraulic steering, the Emira offers incredible feedback and control. Its mid-engine layout ensures excellent weight distribution, making it a joy to drive on winding roads and technical circuits.

Suited Track Types

The Lotus Emira thrives on circuits that reward balance, agility, and driver involvement.

• Imola: The mix of high-speed corners and technical sections allows the Emira’s handling and poise to shine.
• Laguna Seca: The famous Corkscrew and flowing layout provide the perfect playground for the Emira’s mid-engine dynamics.
• Suzuka: The iconic figure-eight layout challenges the Emira with its sweeping corners and technical S-curves, showcasing its precision and balance.

Suited tracks outside Early Access: Nürburgring Nordschleife, Spa-Francorchamps, and Red Bull Ring.

Unique Quirks

The Emira combines Lotus’s performance ethos with modern-day comfort and technology. Features like a premium interior, touchscreen infotainment system, and adaptive dampers make it more accessible than previous models while retaining the lightweight DNA. Its striking design, inspired by the all-electric Evija, ensures it stands out as one of the most beautiful sports cars of its generation.

The Competition

In the early access list, the Lotus Emira’s closest competitor is the Audi RS 3 Sportback. While the RS 3 features Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system and a turbocharged five-cylinder engine, it offers similar power figures and appeals to enthusiasts seeking a high-performance vehicle. The RS 3 emphasizes stability and grip in a variety of conditions, whereas the Emira focuses entirely on delivering a pure, mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car experience.

Outside of the game, the Emira competes with cars like the Porsche Cayman GT4, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, and Alpine A110, each offering a unique interpretation of lightweight, driver-focused performance.

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