The Lotus Emira is a big automobile within the historical past of the British carmaker. First revealed again in July 2021, the Emira is the corporate’s final inside combustion engine mannequin and serves as a final hurrah as extra electrical autos (EVs) populate its line-up.
In a single fell swoop, the Emira successfully replaces the Elise, Exige and Evora, all of that are nameplates with followers worldwide. As such, the Emira has lots to reside as much as; not solely should it function a fruits of 25 years of Lotus sports activities vehicles, it should additionally enchantment to the present viewers whereas additionally drawing in new clients to place inexperienced within the books.
We’ve already had a go within the Emira and had loads of good issues to say about it. Nonetheless, the instance we drove on the time was a V6 First Version variant, which is considered one of two on sale right here, the opposite being the extra recently-introduced i4 First Version.
The latter prices much less at RM1.095 million on-the-road with out insurance coverage (RM998,800 for models manufactured in 2023) in comparison with the V6 First Version that goes for RM1.289 million. The smaller price ticket displays the Emira i4’s place because the entry-level variant, however is it any good? That’s what we tried to seek out out in the UK.
What are the similarities and variations between the 2 Lotus Emira i4 and V6 variants?
Effectively, because the variant names recommend, the Emira i4 includes a four-cylinder engine. It isn’t simply any although, as it’s the M139 2.0 litre turbocharged unit from Mercedes-AMG, which has been hailed because the world’s strongest four-cylinder engine.
Within the Emira, the M139 isn’t in its most potent kind because it delivers 365 PS (360 hp or 269 kW) and 430 Nm of torque. Drive despatched to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, which is a primary for a Lotus automobile.
In comparison with the V6 variant, which has 406 PS (400 hp or 299 kW) and 420 Nm from its Toyota-sourced 2GR-FE 3.5 litre supercharged engine, the i4 is actually down on energy. Nonetheless, the on-paper efficiency hole isn’t as large as you suppose, because the i4 wants 4.5 seconds to get from 0-100 km/h (versus the V6’s 4.3 seconds), and the highest velocity is 283 km/h (versus 290 km/h).
Apart from the engine and gearbox, the i4 additionally will get a distinct rear subframe constructed from solid aluminium as an alternative of metal as is the case with the V6. This variant-specific element contributes to a complete weight saving of 12 kg and is important as a result of completely different engine mountings for the M139, which additionally warrants a slight transforming of the double wishbones (additionally used on the entrance).
From the skin, you’ll be glad to know that the Emira i4 maintains the placing exterior design that we like lots. A “junior supercar” is one of the simplest ways to explain it, though in contrast to these that may price much more, the Emira footprint isn’t a handful to cope with. We tried each left- and right-hand drive models of the Emira whereas within the UK and it wasn’t as nerve-wracking of an expertise on tight roads as we thought – ditto parking tons.
The one speedy solution to inform the 2 aside is by peering into the rear window, with the i4 sporting a big (and fairly boring) plastic engine cowl, whereas the V6 exposes a few of its mechanical bits – watching the throttle cable flicking forwards and backwards is at all times attention-grabbing.
Inside, the dearth of a handbook choice for i4 means you get a storage cubby beneath the shift-by-wire gear selector similar to in an auto-equipped V6, with every little thing else remaining precisely the identical throughout the board.
You continue to get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a ten.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a six-speaker KEF sound system, computerized air-conditioning, 12-powered entrance seats, some good trim, that novelty begin button lid in addition to good match and end, all of that are fairly fancy for a model that beforehand recognized for its spartan sports activities vehicles. A brand new period certainly.
Why did they trouble arising the Emira i4?
Put merely, selections. Giving clients choices permits the Emira to achieve a wider viewers, and there are actually lots to select from. As a begin, there’s the i4 and V6 to select from, the latter obtainable with a six-speed handbook or computerized, whereas the previous comes with a DCT that Lotus is offering in response to buyer queries made previously.
From there, you get to decide on the kind of chassis you need, with choices being the Tour that comes with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tyres, in addition to the Sport setup with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s – the tyre units could be swapped between chassis setups in case you put in a request.
We have been advised that when the Emira was being developed, it was at all times meant to have an i4 variant, and the V6 engine, which has been provided by the model for years, was retained because it was nonetheless considered essential in most of the firm’s core markets.
The corporate says the order ebook for the Emira is full for the subsequent two years, including that over 2,200 models have been produced on the Chapman Manufacturing Centre as introduced on August 10 this yr. Simply how inform this method of casting a large web has been reminds unknown as a result of Lotus isn’t divulging the order break up between the i4 and V6.
What’s it prefer to drive the Emira i4?
At decrease speeds, the Emira i4 doesn’t ever really really feel “peaceable” as you’ll hear loads of mechanical chatter from varied elements just like the turbo, wastegate and valvetrain. This implies you’re at all times in fixed state of alert and guffawing like a baby on the prod of the throttle, which is sweet as that’s what a sports activities automobile ought to make you are feeling. Nonetheless, in case you’re hoping the Emira can decrease it down a notch and switch right into a GT for a short while, sorry.
Extra reminders of this “old style Lotus” come from the chassis, which in Sport kind provides a stiff experience the place a lower than interesting main experience is makes for a bouncy home on something wanting a clean floor.
This does uninteresting the boldness considerably when tackling bumpy British B-roads, which is why I discovered the Tour chassis to be extra interesting on this setting. The physique roll is felt just a little extra with the Tour chassis, however the improved compliance over small bumps is extra reassuring when it comes time to making use of the throttle on nook exits.
As for the 8DCT, it isn’t inclined to maneuver as much as greater gears sooner, even in case you’re within the daily-use Tour drive mode. Cruising alongside city roads whereas adhering to native velocity limits, the transmission barely makes an attempt to maneuver as much as fuel-saving gears. That is by design, as Lotus particularly calibrated the transmission to behave as such, which can be just a little taxing while you’re attempting to be discreet pulling out of a junction.
Once you’re within the temper, the 8DCT is speedy when biking by means of the gears, with near-imperceptible shifts because the velocity builds. At this level, the noise contained in the cabin turns into correctly rowdy with interjections from the turbo spooling and whistling on upshifts/downshifts additional including to the joy.
The M139, regardless of hints of turbo lag, actually feels punchy, with peak torque kicking in from simply 3,000 rpm main as much as 5,500 rpm because the revs proceed to construct to peak energy supply at 6,600 rpm – don’t miss the 7,200 rpm redline or the limiter will are available exhausting. It’s an engine that enjoys being revved out, and when put in Sport and Monitor modes, turns into much more of a noise machine. Does it left you wanting for the supercharged V6? Provided that you completely want three pedals.
This brings us to a draw back, and that’s when making an attempt to manually change gears your self, the 8DCT is sluggish to answer inputs, with a noticeable delay on downshifts – this additionally applies when attempting to have interaction reverse. One other factor to notice is the paddle shifters lack tactility and a satisfying “click on” when used.
The laggy gearbox in handbook mode was a problem in the course of the first few laps on Lotus’ Hethel take a look at monitor, as I discovered myself pulling on the paddles a couple of instances to get a downshift, even after I’m sure I’ve slowed down properly sufficient – the AP Racing brakes are lots grabby and with good really feel.
A couple of laps later, I gave up and left the 8DCT in auto mode, which surprisingly made the expertise higher because it served up the suitable gear in most conditions. Lotus isn’t going to speculate to make a bespoke handbook transmission for the M139, so that is nearly as good because it’s going to be.
On the well-laid tarmac of the take a look at monitor, the Emira i4 revealed itself to be a really approachable automobile with good stability and predictability. By way of the corners, any trepidation of a mid-engine structure is progressive whittled away because the communicative steering provides a very good sense of the automobile’s grip ranges when pitching in. The Bosch-developed brake-based e-differential perform was additionally surprisingly efficient to maintain you in your focused line because the automobile pivots.
A restrict exists, and while you attain it within the Emira i4, the variant-specific-calibrated ESC system is there to reign you in so it by no means feels such as you’re completely uncontrolled. It’s not as draining, and because the laps piled up, there was incentive and braveness to discover the automobile in new methods. Attempting out completely different traces and interesting Monitor mode have been a few of the issues we tried out, the latter limiting the ESC so that you let the tail slide out just a little on the hairpins.
Away from public roads, the Monitor chassis makes much more sense because it supplied a extra planted feeling taking over the short left- and right-handers. The Tour is succesful too but it surely isn’t as centered, though it’s nonetheless fairly enjoyable.
It appears like a fairly critical sports activities automobile. Can I every day the Emira i4?
Completely. the Emira is supposed to be an on a regular basis, usable sports activities automobile – extra habitable Lotus one would possibly say – and through our time within the UK, it fulfilled that temporary. The driving portion of our journey noticed us traverse British B-roads for round two hours earlier than we instantly headed onto the Hethel take a look at monitor.
Thoughts you, there have been no Lotus engineers piling over the vehicles to make sure they have been prepared for the abuse they have been about to obtain. All we bought was a briefing telling us to not crash, to drive inside our skills and to maintain a helmet on, earlier than we tried to chase down our teacher in an Emira V6. Shut to 10 laps later, the vehicles pulled in for a fast driver swap and we’re off once more.
Following the on-track trashing, the vehicles have been pushed on to our dinner spot simply northwest of Norwich, and have been parked in a car parking zone effortlessly while not having to sweat over the automobile’s width. Getting out was extra eventful in our LHD tester, as inserting the parking ticket into the machine required climbing over the seats – the fellas within the hatchback subsequent to us have been correctly amused. This has no relevance to us as we’re getting RHD models, however there may be fairly a little bit of house to manoeuvre on this Lotus.
The next morning, we introduced the automobile from the lodge to a virtually Morrisons to get some groceries, which the Emira i4 carried in its boot together with our digital camera baggage. Fortunately, the cool climate and delicate driving meant the Fanta bought solely partially heat as we headed again to Hethel for the day’s tour of Basic Staff Lotus. Other than the bit on the monitor, all of it sounds fairly every day, doesn’t it?
The Emira i4 can work as a every day, but it surely by no means actually feels calm when pushed because it feels you’re being hounded to be just a little extra spirited in your driving. Some would possibly prefer it and a few don’t, however for a Lotus to be this sensible to reside with is sort of an achievement, even when it’s a must to be dedicated to cope with the rascal inside itching to be let unfastened.
As a ultimate farewell to the inner combustion engine, the Emira encapsulates 25 years of Lotus sports activities vehicles right into a package deal that appeals to extra liberal purists and first-timers trying to dip their toes into the model. It isn’t as intimidating to drive as folklore of previous Lotus vehicles suggests and the residing house is lots posher than any of the fashions it replaces, which non-diehards can admire. Get one whilst you can as a result of it’s going to be all EVs when Emira manufacturing ends.
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