Lotus has a rich history of making light, go-kart-esque cars for the road. Whether it was the agile Elise, or the bonkers Exige, the Lotus brand has earned a reputation for being synonymous with performance and handling. Sadly, for 2024, there is sadly only one sports coupe left in its line-up, with the rest of the range electrified and very much part of the SUV world. Don’t worry though, because it’s an absolute cracker. The 2024 Lotus Emira is a direct replacement for the Lotus Evora, and it adds so much more to the overall package, while still being a delight to drive. But will the Emira’s charms be enough to sway you away from German rivals?
The Lotus Emira has been on sale for about a year now and has been quite a success for Lotus locally. With Lotus selling a total of 300 last year, all of them Emiras, the brand went from selling a meagre 30 cars just the year before. For 2024, Lotus has added a new, four-cylinder engine to the Emira, borrowed from a familiar German brand. Has this new powerplant made the Emira more desirable? Let’s find out.
How much does the 2024 Lotus Emira cost to buy?
The 2024 Lotus Emira equipped with the i4 engine is the new entry point into the range. Priced at $199,990 plus on-road costs, it undercuts the supercharged V6 model by $10,000. Sadly, there is no manual option for the i4. The manual V6 Emira is $209,990 +ORC and the automatic V6 is $213,990 +ORC.
Standard equipment levels are generally rather high, and buyers won’t feel too short changed when it comes to the kit on the Emira. The basics are all covered rather nicely and very much in tune for a lightweight coupe.
Emira standard equipment:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Dusk-sensing automatic LED exterior lighting
- Rain-sensing automatic wipers
- Remote keyless entry with push button start
- Heated and electric-folding mirrors with memory
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob
- Bucket seats with electric adjustment and memory for the driver
- Suede and leather upholstery
- 12.3-inch digital driver’s display
- 10.25-inch touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring
- AM/FM/DAB+ digital radio
- Bluetooth calling and audio streaming
- Single-zone automatic climate control
- 12-speaker KEF sound system
- Cruise control
Emira standard safety equipment:
- Four airbags
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Reversing camera
The Lotus Emira range has not been tested by ANCAP.
Emira colour range (all no cost):
- Hethel Yellow
- Nimbus Grey
- Shadow Grey
- Dark Verdant (Green)
- Seneca Blue
- Magma Red
- Vivid Red
- Mist White
- Meridian Blue
- Atlantis Blue
- Osmium Silver
- Cosmos Black
- Zinc Grey
Emira interior colour options:
- Black nappa leather
- Grey nappa leather
- Red nappa leather
- Tan nappa leather
- Black alcantara with either grey, red or yellow stitching
Emira options:
- Full black pack: $2,999
- Alcantara and leather steering wheel with various stitching colour options: $999
- Homelink garage opener: $499
- Lotus vehicle tracker with a one-year subscription: $1,299
How powerful is the Lotus Emira?
Under Emira i4’s bonnet sits a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit borrowed from Mercedes-Benz. Usually found in the front of an A45 AMG S, Lotus has shoehorned it into the middle of the Emira. It produces 268kW of power and 430Nm of torque, which is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The 0-100km/h sprint time is achieved in just 4.4 seconds using the standard launch control system, while it hits a top speed of 275km/h. Oddly enough, the Mercedes-Benz version of the engine punches out an even higher 310kW of power and 500Nm of torque, though the Lotus counters with its light weight, and weighs in at just 1,453kg (tare).
Interestingly, the dual-clutch transmission in the Emira doesn’t show the usual dual-clutch hesitancy from standstill. It isn’t as jerky as some other brands systems and is quite pleasant. The gears in automatic mode are snappy and it seems to always change when you expect it to. Put it in manual mode and the gears are near instant. The launch control is also easy to engage and shoots you off from a standstill. Lotus claims that the Emira i4’s claimed average fuel economy is 9.2L/100km but we couldn’t get an accurate reading on the initial launch drive day. We will test an Emira in our usual test cycle later in the year and will include fuel economy figures in the review. The Emira requires minimum 95RON premium unleaded fuel to fill its 58-litre fuel tank and produces 208g/km of CO2.
What does the Lotus Emira drive like?
Perhaps most impressive about the new Emira, is just how sophisticated and compliant it can be, while also being a hard-core driver’s thrill like Lotus models of old. The ride in Touring mode is rather soft, making the car an excellent daily driver. Pop it into Sport mode and the adaptive dampers work their magic to make the ride more engaging. Pop it up into Race mode and the traction and stability control switch off for track use. This being a Lotus, dynamics are paramount. The Emira is remarkably soft, even with the sport suspension tune, but this isn’t intended as a criticism. Driving a car that prioritises road behaviour is refreshing, and the Emira handles bumps, lumps, and compressions without ever compromising its front end.
The steering is exquisite, arguably among the best we’ve ever seen in a car. The front tyres turn almost telepathically into corners, with the Emira exhibiting excellent grip and traction. Dynamically, we’ll need to test the Emira on more roads, but for now, the Emira excels in the way it drives.
Put it the Emira into sport mode and start shifting the gears yourself and the Emira comes alive. The induction and blow off valve noises are addictive and are bound to put an instant smile on your face, while the throttle response sharpens up to incredible levels. This is one excellent engine, which combined with the Emira’s low kerb weight, makes the coupe a brilliant companion both in town and on a twisty road.
The engine provides plenty of shove, immediate responses and pulls strongly towards the redline. We would like a little more noise from the exhaust, but the overall driving experience is very positive. We love that it feels like a Lotus should, it begs for more and coupled with the snappy transmission and twin-scroll turbo, the Emira i4 is a properly engaging car to drive.
How practical is the 2024 Lotus Emira?
As stunning as the Lotus Emira might be to look at with its svelte lines, and mid-engined chassis, this isn’t the easiest car to get in and out of. Similar to other mid-engined sports cars, it requires overcoming a substantial lip to settle into the seat. While owners might develop a knack for this, we found it less than ideal.
Once seated, the interior welcomes drivers with some high-quality materials, and a newfound level of technology for a Lotus. While purists might scoff at the large touchscreen and the digital dials, Lotus is a firm believer in attracting a broader market, particularly for a car like the Emira, which is designed for daily use, and not just the racetrack.
There’s a real sense of occasion inside with alcantara, leather, and other premium materials throughout, with thoughtful details such as the start button cover adding a touch of exclusivity. The variety of interior colour options is also commendable, including black, ice grey, red, and tan nappa leather, as well as black alcantara with grey, red, or yellow stitching.
The driving position is beautifully adjustable with lots of room for sorts of drivers, while the the cabin is also laid out nicely, too, There’s decent storage, including two cup holders, a centre bin and large shelf behind the seats with plenty of room for a couple of small, soft bags. This is in addition to the luggage compartment behind the engine, though be warned its proximity to the mechanicals means it can get quite warm.
The 10.25-inch touchscreen located at the centre of the Emira’s dashboard offers numerous functions, including radio control, smartphone mirroring, performance data, and vehicle settings. While the screen displays high-quality visuals, the reversing camera’s resolution is notably poor and requires enhancement due to its grainy output.
Positioned behind the engine, the Lotus Emira’s boot provides 100 litres of storage space, while there is also 108L of space behind the seats, making the Emira surprisingly practical.
What warranty covers the 2024 Lotus Emira?
A five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty is what buyers will get with their Lotus Emira, with five years of included roadside assistance as well.
The Emira requires servicing every 12-months or 15,000km.
Should I buy a 2024 Lotus Emira?
Make no mistake, the Lotus Emira is an exceptional sports car. It looks exquisite, boasts a sleek and low profile, showcases some excellent handling, and a powerful engine that guarantees a broad grin on your face. There’s no question that it embodies the Lotus spirit, even though the pulsing heart of a Mercedes-Benz powers it. The Mercedes-Benz engine brings a touch of sophistication to the Emira; it may not be as raucous or wild as the V6 model, but it certainly adds a layer of refinement.
For enthusiasts eyeing a mid-engined ICE sports car, options are dwindling. With the Alpine A110 no longer available locally and the Porsche 718 Cayman set to be discontinued by year’s end, the Lotus Emira stands as the sole contender. We’re so glad Lotus is back in fighting form, offering some epic cars, albeit at some exquisite prices. But rest assured, the Emira is excellent and won’t leave you wanting, even if it will cost you as much as your first born.
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