Group Lotus says its new Emira offers “striking design” and delivers “exotic supercar appeal in the sports car segment.” Lotus said pricing of the mid-engine car starts at less than £60,000 ($82,820).
The Emira will be offered with either a new-to-Lotus turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder from AMG or the supercharged Toyota V6 used in the Exige and Evora. Manual, automatic and dual-clutch transmissions will be offered “to maximize global appeal.”
The company said at least 360 horsepower will be provided with a 0-62 mph sprint in less than 4.5 seconds and top speed of up to 180 mph. Target weight for the car is 1,405 kilograms (3,091 pounds).
While embodying the transformation of Lotus as a brand, the car “features all the hallmarks that the automotive world has come to expect from a Lotus – striking design, thrilling dynamic performance delivering best-in-class ride and handling, outstanding aerodynamics and an unrivaled experience ‘For The Drivers’,” the company added.
The car has a bonded-aluminum chassis and a cockpit the company says will fit all drivers.
“From the very first discussions, Lotus wanted the Emira to be an ‘every day’ sports car, delivering a usability and practicality to support that with levels of comfort and desirability for total comfort over long-distance cruising,” the news release reports.
“To that end, it sets new standards for Lotus and is better than ever for the tallest and shortest drivers. There is more space between the occupants as well.
“The Emira is a game-changer for Lotus,” according to Matt Windle, Lotus Cars managing director. “It stands as a beacon of everything we have achieved to date in the transformation of the business, the embodiment of our progress. It is a highly significant milestone on our path to becoming a truly global performance car brand.”
The Emira is the first all-new Lotus sports car to be developed under the Vision80 strategic plan as the company moves toward its 80th anniversary in 2028.
Deliveries begin in the spring of 2022, Lotus said.