Cover The new Lotus Emira 3.5 V6 First Edition in Magma Red
The new Lotus Emira 3.5 V6 First Edition in Magma Red
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The Lotus Emira is the first indication that the British manufacturer of sports and racing cars has set its sights on the supercar market
Lotus Cars is a well-known British sportscar manufacturer with roots in Formula One racing. Traditionally, the brand has championed very lightweight sports cars, but with the new Emira, Lotus Cars indicates that it has set its sights on the Porsche-dominated market of supercars.
The new Emira is the embodiment of Lotus Cars’s ongoing transformation, developed to deliver the best-in-class ride and handling expected from a Lotus. It boasts a mid-engine and premium design, combined with practicality, comfort, functionality and technology. This is a lofty goal for the Lotus Cars brand, but there is really no other way but forward and upward.
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The Emira V6 First Edition is a step up from the Evora coupe in size and luxury, eschewing the cramped, spartan quarters of previous Lotus models. The biggest bugbear of the outgoing Evora was the egress and ingress. It was an improvement, but still a deal-breaker for many. This has been addressed in the Emira, on par with the best in class.
Construction of its body has also been elevated from its fibreglass past with the use of lightweight bonded aluminium body panels, giving the chassis the solidity it needs to compete with the stalwarts in the supercar market segment like Porsche. Exterior details include LED lights, a titanium exhaust finisher, heated power-fold door mirrors and rear parking sensors. The Lower Black Pack comes standard, meaning the front bumper air blades, front splitter, side sills and rear diffuser are all finished in gloss black.
It is powered by the Lotus Cars-honed 3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine, mid-mounted behind the two seats driving just the rear wheels. It delivers 400 hp and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox with a visible gearchange mechanism. The car rides on 20-inch ultra-lightweight V-spoke forged alloy wheels, complete with a diamond-cut two-tone finish. Large high-performance, two-piece brake discs and calipers provide the stopping power.
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Six vibrant paint colours are offered for the first edition Emira V6, and there are seven interior colour choices, all available at no extra cost. The interior is sleek, with satin chrome trim finishers, white interior mood lighting and Lotus-branded sill kick plates. The heated seats feature 12-way adjustability and two memory presets linked to the door mirrors. Climate control, cruise control, keyless start and selectable drive modes are all included.
The car is equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite navigation, supported by Bluetooth and USB/12v sockets. The 10-channel/340W premium audio system has been developed in partnership with the respected British brand KEF and includes DAB digital radio. All functions are accessed through a 10.25-inch centrally mounted touch-screen, with driver feedback through a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster ahead of the multi-function steering wheel.
Moreover, the Emira V6 First Edition comes with three more option packs fitted as standard, making four in total. The Drivers Pack presents customers with two choices: Tour or Sport suspension, both of which are paired with either Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tyres or Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres. The Design Pack provides the vehicle with privacy glass, sports pedals, a black Alcantara headliner, and the option of brake callipers painted in black, red, yellow or silver. Additionally, Lotus-branded footwell mats are also included. Lastly, the Convenience Pack offers front parking sensors, a rear reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers with aero blades, auto-dimming mirrors and a rear luggage storage net.
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At first brush, one cannot help falling in love with the fabulous exterior styling. The Emira is arguably Lotus Cars’s best styling effort to date; it looks attractive and well-proportioned from all angles, which is a rare feat. As mentioned, the Emira V6 First Edition comes with the 400hp 3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine, mid-mounted and mated to a manual six-speed gearbox and the visible gearchange mechanism adds to the already engaging drive experience. There is an optional automatic gearbox with paddle shifting for the V6 engine.
For the first time, Lotus Cars is offering an alternative engine and gearbox, sourced from Mercedes AMG division, a turbocharged 360 hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a double-clutch transmission. There is no manual version for this 2.0-litre engine option. However, all versions will have an electro-hydraulic power steering system to preserve the steering feel that Lotus cars have become known for.
Shifting gears manually is a time-honoured activity that any enthusiast will cherish. It gives the driver a sense of achievement when he is the one doing the correct things to make the car do his bidding as opposed to having everything done for him. Admittedly, manual shifting is slower but Lotus Cars has given all versions including the DCT version a similar 0-100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 290 km/h.
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As a former owner of an early Lotus Elise, I can attest that Lotus Cars has made significant strides in emulating the lightweight behaviour of its predecessor with the new model. Despite being almost twice as heavy due to the added performance, safety, and luxury features, the experience is as exciting but much more refined. When driving in Tour or comfort mode, the chassis is surprisingly comfortable, but the driver may feel somewhat disconnected from the driving experience. The brakes are exceptionally powerful, so drivers may need some time to adjust and avoid abrupt stops during regular driving.
To get the original character, one really needs to switch up to Sport or Track mode to enjoy the full capability of the chassis. The added firmness might penalise comfort but it is mitigated by the lovely engagement one gets while piloting the Emira. Its ability to switch between modes really widens the appeal of the Emira to a whole new audience.
Moreover, the feature-rich Emira is priced competitively in the marketplace. If one does not find its arresting looks a slam-dunk deal, then at the very least it deserves a visit to the showroom. Production of this First Edition Emira V6 started in the third quarter of 2022 and is expected to run until the third quarter of 2023. Only a limited number of units have been allocated for the Singapore market, making it a truly exclusive offering.
DETAILS
Car: Lotus Emira V6 First Edition
Price from: SG$498,800 without COE
Engine: 3.5-litre Supercharged V6
Transmission: Six-speed manual or automatic
Power: 400 hp
Torque: 430 Nm
0-100 km/h: 4.5 seconds
Top Speed: 290 km/h
CO2 emissions: 180 gm/km
Agent: Wearnes Automotive
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