The funny thing about the Lotus Emira is that is an extremely conspicuous car. In that, I mean that the amount of head turns, thumbs up, waves and smiles that this car received during my time with it is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.
Similarly, I have never had a review car attract as much attention from men or women as this Lotus did. Heaven knows I could use the help in the latter department but I’m one who would buy a car like this for the way it drives rather than the clout it receives. However, if you are a clout chaser, good news because your review ends here. If like me, you would buy a car like this for the way it drives, then your review has only just begun.
Either way, you’re probably thinking that from everything I’ve described above, the Emira is neither unsung nor heroic but au contraire, you shall soon see why it is both of those things!
For decades, Lotus ran its two core sportscars, the Elise and the Exige. The ultra-lightweight Elise being the flag-bearer for the four cylinder sportscar while the Exige carried the six pot. Since the two cars were buried with Lotus’ transfer of ownership, the latter powertrain carried on into the Emira. After years of the V6 powered car being around, could the late-coming four pot turbo actually carve a niche for itself?
Even though the heart might be different, Lotus haven’t tampered with the Emira’s looks which is just as well because it is a spectacular looking car. Its design flows and the mid-engined configuration makes for an almost perfectly symmetrical vehicle from behind a camera’s lens. Visually, it is pleasing to both look at and photograph, a fact I researched well by observing passer-bys on the street.
Emira juggles style and function without looking ostentatious, it’s a difficult balance to achieve but Lotus have done so in a package that looks good in many colours too. There’s a rich palette of shades available and while this Nimbus Grey would be a likely choice for a daily driven Emira, I’d be inclined to go with either Dark Verdant, Seneca Blue or Hethel Yellow.
Emira brings an exotic design to the streets, one that often gets it mistaken for pricier supercars even but on closer inspection, the Lotus badge gets plenty of plaudits. There’s something friendly about it, I found myself often in conversation with people in carparks and on the street. Even Kiwis who are famously known to reserve praise were quite happy to commend the car! While its sleek look and design has plenty of plauditory benefits, the Emira achieves this without being hilariously impractical. Both my driveway at home and at work have rather steep entranceways but the Emira never had me on edge about scraping the front, you never look foolish either when snaking over speedhumps.
Although the ‘Turbo Emira’ decals added a sort of retro 80s style cool to the Emira, they were a tasteful aftermarket option added by Lotus Auckland‘s Dealer Principal rather than being a First Edition addition. However, I’d vote to make them standard on the i4 car! Apart from these stickers, there are no other exterior markers to point out the differences between the i4 and the V6. Just as well I think because both cars deserve respect in their own right and arguably, both have different audiences too!
Where the ‘First Edition’ really comes into its own is in the interior experience. There’s Alcantara everywhere, the dashboard, doors, seats and steering wheel. While I personally am not a fan of the material, I can still appreciate its appeal as one that’s often found in purpose built performance machines, which the Emira certainly is! However, I’d be inclined to go with leather surfaces instead. While it might be a bit of a task for someone to clamber into the cabin, this is a proper sportscar and that is part of the experience.
Once inside though, you don’t feel like getting out and not just because of its relative difficulty. The Emira’s cabin offers a comfortable hideout from the elements with all of the creature comforts you’d want! The seats and steering wheel are heated for those cold winter mornings but be warned because anything you put in the boot will also be equally warm following a long drive. KEF have done a great job on the sound system which is a treat for the ears as the infotainment screen is for the eyes. A simple but functional layout gives you everything you need without infringing on the driving experience. The cabin experience stays true to Lotus’ ethos, ‘For the Drivers’.
Once settled in and comfortable, you get a sudden itch on your finger, one that can only be satisfied by lifting the red button cover and pushing start. In an instant, the four-cylinder turbocharged powerplant comes to life. Right from the get-go, it is a very vocal unit! You can always hear it doing something, being idling, popping, whooshing with the occasional turbo flutter as well. It gives the driver a pantomime experience as one would expect from such a car.
The powertrain is a Mercedes-AMG derived unit, that now famous unit which Lotus have actually detuned to 360hp because that was plenty for the Emira. 268kW of power and 430Nm of torque are available on tap, allowing for a 0-100 time of 4.4 seconds. It’s quick but even more thrilling is the sensation of the speed that driving this low slung sportscar gives you. Truth be told though, the Lotus experience has never been about straight line speed, cornering is where the brand have really earned their stripes. In that respect, the Emira follows a long line of the brand’s cars that are excellent at doing so.
Whatever the corner type, the Emira will go around it with poise, the car staying level through it all. I will happily go as far to say that it is one of the best handling vehicles I have ever driven, if not the best. The grip is just phenomenal, all while the car irks you on to go faster and push harder. It leaves you with a beaming smile on every drive, especially so on the spirited ones. To quote Dave on this one “there is nothing wrong with this car barring the gear selector” he said as he grinned from ear to ear. In that one sentence, he pointed out the Emira’s one real flaw which is the gear selector itself, a fiddly thing to use especially when going from reverse to drive or vice versa. Although, that flaw is long forgotten when you’re hurtling around corners.
The Verdict
Why is the Lotus Emira i4 Turbo a modern day unsung hero then? Well, in a world where supercars have gone from six figures to seven figures and emissions taxes have made cars like the fabulous V6 Emira impractically expensive, the Emira i4 continues to push on.
It gives you the experience of owning a properly exotic car, a sensation of speed with an incredible cornering ability, all while being daily drivable and kind-ish to the environment. Look around the car market today and it seems like the sun is setting on the sportscar as we know it but the presence of the Emira i4 Turbo proves that Lotus will not go gently into the night and for that, they should be applauded.
2024 Lotus Emira i4 Turbo: 4/5
Thanks for reading! For more Lotus news and reviews, visit Tarmac Life.
Thanks to Lotus Cars Auckland for the review vehicle. Chris and Charlotte, this was a difficult one to return!
Photos courtesy of Harry Perachi de Souza, words by Matthew D’Souza.
