This is the all‑new Lotus Emira

It looks good though, doesn’t it? A successful effort we think to drape the fresh cutting-edge style first fielded on the Evija hypercar over a more compact Evora-esque shape. No mean feat considering the Evija’s looks trade heavily on the fact it lacks a big hot lump of noisy metal amidships. Those vertical blade lights with signature DRL slashes, bold vents, sharp contours and exaggerated aero elements – it’s a sportscar masterclass, we think.

Like the silhouette, a lot of what’s going on underneath should be familiar to the Evora faithful, too. The Emira is underpinned by an all-new extruded aluminium chassis and will be powered initially by the familiar Toyota-sourced supercharged 3.5-litre V6. However, only the ‘First Edition’ range-topping cars will come with the old V6, with a new four-cylinder turbocharged engine joining the line-up and eventually replacing the V6 once those cars are sold.

The massive news is that the incoming 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine is sourced from none other than Mercedes-AMG. The unit is well-known, powering various AMG versions of the A-Class series of hatchbacks, saloons and crossovers. Lotus claims its rejigged some external elements to match the character of the Emira, including the exhaust and intake. Emira power levels will range initially from 360-400PS (265-294kW), with a maximum of 430Nm (318lb ft).

Gearbox options are a curiosity, too. Three, yes three, will be available. A manual, a dual-clutch and (are you sitting down?) an automatic. Lotus reckons these choices maximise the appeal of a car that’s to be sold globally. Reading between the lines, we’d say the DCT will come as a package deal with the AMG engine, while the manual and auto options will come on the limited-run First Edition models.

What are the hard numbers? Well, as above, power maxes out at 400PS for now. Lotus claims the Emira should be good for 62mph in under 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of 180mph. The car is expected to have a lightest weight of 1,405kg. Not exactly an Alpine-botherer just yet… Two driving modes dictate dynamic feel. ‘Tour’ is pitched as a cover-all setting good for both spirited driving and commuting. Lotus Driver’s Pack-equipped cars will come with a ‘Sports’ mode, stiffening up the suspension. All Emira’s will run a hydraulic steering rack, instead of an electrified system, to maximise steering feel. It’s a Lotus. We don’t need convincing that it’ll be great to drive.

If the outside is familiar but advanced by a decade and the innards initially familiar but with added options, the cabin will be an alien world to someone used to outgoing Lotuses. This is a thoroughly modern, ergonomic and high perceived-quality cabin, with high-definition screens, an all-new wheel and new switchgear. Thank heavens the old GM-sourced indicator stalks have finally bowed out.

Peer through the wheel and you’ll find a crisp configurable 12.3-inch TFT driver’s display. Infotainment is handled by a centrally-mounted touch-screen complete with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Integration. Behind the Emira’s front seats you’ll find a reasonable 208 litres of storage space, in contrast to the Evora’s token 2+2 seating design. Overall, we reckon Porsche buyers that were once put off by spartan last-gen Lotus cabins will find a lot more appeal in the Emira.

The Emira, then, represents a massive step for Lotus. From the £100-million spent developing and constructing the new manufacturing facility, to the all-new platform. Then again, it also smacks of a transitional car, in the best way, keeping the character and heart (quite literally) of the outgoing Evora going, at least to begin with. The Emira should be all things to all Lotus fans, including the suits at Geely that took the plunge on the Norfolk marque a couple of years back.

What will it cost you? Another departure from the Evora, as the Emira’s sub-£60,000 starting price slashes thousands from what some Evoras have cost in recent years. The V6 First Edition will be available earlier from Spring 2022, with the AMG-powered four-cylinder variant coming in the Summer. Order books are open now...