In a market tilting toward digital dashboards and driverless dreams, the Lotus Emira arrives as a visceral jolt of analogue brilliance. It’s Lotus’ last combustion-only sports car, and it’s leaving quietly, but with a scream.
Chassis & Engineering
Built on a bonded aluminium chassis and clothed in sculpted fibreglass panels, the Emira blends classic British engineering with just enough modernity to survive the era. At its core is a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 sourced from Toyota, delivering 400 BHP to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or automatic. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder from Mercedes-AMG is also available.
What sets the Emira apart isn’t novelty, but refinement. Lotus spent decades perfecting lightness, but the Emira adds composure to the equation. The steering is hydraulic, a rarity now, giving raw, tactile feedback. The suspension, developed on real roads, not just racetracks, balances ride quality with agility. And while it weighs more than the Elise or Exige, it still undercuts most rivals in mass and complexity.
Interiors
The cabin marks a notable shift. Lotus interiors were once famously austere. In the Emira, there’s a 10.25-inch touchscreen, digital gauge cluster, and soft-touch materials where once there were exposed bolts. It’s still a snug, driver-focused cockpit, but finally usable for more than just sprints to the mountains.
Lotus has also done the unthinkable: it made the Emira practical. There’s real trunk space; 208 litres behind the seats, and another 151 litres behind the engine. It’s no family car, but for a weekend getaway, the Emira doesn’t require sacrifices.
Pricing
At around $85,000 (AED 310,000), depending on specification, the Emira sits in a price class shared with the Porsche 718 Cayman S and Alpine A110S. Yet it delivers a more complete experience: exotic looks, genuine track capability, and road manners that invite rather than intimidate.
Conclusion
And that’s the key to understanding this car. The Emira doesn’t chase trends. It refines old-school sports car values; handling, weight balance, a manual transmission, and presents them in a form that’s finally easy to live with. Air conditioning that works. Navigation that makes sense. A gearbox that doesn’t fight you.
Lotus has long made cars for purists. The Emira is a car for enthusiasts. It’s not trying to be a tech showcase or a luxury lounge. It’s trying to make you want to drive. And it succeeds, not with gimmicks, but with restraint, clarity, and precision.
For buyers in the Middle East, where roads are wide, speed limits generous, and the sun relentless, the Emira’s balance of pace and poise hits a rare sweet spot. It’s low, wide, and aggressive, yet never flashy. It earns attention, not demands it.
