Review: The Lotus Emira – 2.0T Widens the Appeal of The Emira
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is perfect for those who like to wake up early to enjoy uninterrupted runs on their favorite roads. The sports car market is flooded with giants who are disguised as featherweights. The small Lotus looks like a product from a bygone age. This is not a new concept. Lotus has been defined by this philosophy since its inception. The British marque’s identity and what it builds are changing. Image courtesy of Kahn MediaV6-powered Lotus EmiraI’ve not driven the Eletre SUV and the Emeya Sedan because they aren’t yet available for purchase in the US. I therefore can’t stand on a soapbox and proclaim that these two EVs will be the end of Lotus without immediately fainting and being whisked away from the stage. You don’t even need to sit in the car for a while before you can tell that the new cars are taking the brand in a new direction. The new Lotus Emira 2.0T is now appearing in showrooms all over the country. This mid-engined, four-cylinder sports vehicle is a welcome change to the EVs that enthusiasts find sacrilegious. It is a genuinely lightweight, beautiful car that’s also surprisingly practical. Image courtesy of Kahn Media. The 2.0T is a fantastic car, especially when you consider that it’s not just the entry-level Emira. It’s the best choice for everyone except diehard Lotus enthusiasts. As loyal as they are, the last two decades in US sales have shown that catering to a crowd who revere Colin Chapman’s quotes more than Bible verses doesn’t work well for a brand. The V6 Evora, which offered an automatic transmission to widen its appeal, was a Toyota torque converter, and not a strong competitor to the Porsche Cayman PDK. The V6 Emira uses a similar formula, but it also faces the same limitations. Image courtesy of Kahn Media
In comparison, the Lotus Emira 2.0T offers a chance to attract buyers with a car which exudes character and feels built to be able to shift gears on its own. Lotus accomplishes this by grabbing parts from Mercedes-AMG and Toyota. It rummages through the parts bins of AMG 35 and 45 models, and then transplants the turbocharged, 2.0-liter, inline-four engine and dual-clutch transmission into the Emira. The results are immediate. The four-banger combo is lighter despite a heavier transmission. The Emira 2.0T’s curb weight of 3,187 pounds is just a little bit less than the 3,212-pound V6 car. It still has 400 horsepower and 354 pound feet of torque. This is more than the 400 hp of the V6. The peak torque is at 3,000 rpm. This is lower on the tachometer than its V6 sibling. It feels faster when you accelerate from lower revs. The DCT’s rapid shifting makes the modest torque feel underrated. It accelerates quickly where its older sibling takes time to gain speed.
As powerful as this inline-4 is, it has a fairly standard sound. Even though some turbo sounds add to the experience you get a muffled sound, only the slightest buzziness helps. The 3.5-liter engine isn’t very sonorous, either. The Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 has the athletic Lotus beat in this area. This is one area where the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 has the athletic Lotus beat.
However, regardless of which engine powers it, one of the Lotus’ greatest strengths is that it
a Porsche. The Cayman has become a very popular car, but the Emira is a great alternative for those looking for something different. It’s hard to argue that the Lotus looks better than the Cayman. The Lotus retains the supercar proportions, and offers a simple but elegant design in a smaller package. This car has a “Honey, I Shrunk the Ferrari”, and its design allows it to appeal more to a wider audience than the Elise or Evora, which are geared towards enthusiasts. Its design is attractive, but it’s usability keeps them. You’d probably say “Duh! It’s a Lotus!” if I told you the Lotus Emira 2.0T was not only quick, but agile on back roads, and delivered near-perfect handling. The V6 Emira with manual transmission is not difficult to drive. It’s not a good one-car option for people who live in areas with heavy traffic. The 2.0T does. The DCT of the AMG
is not just quick on winding roads. It’s comfortable in town. You can put it in drive to go anywhere and not think twice. The Emira has a much better interior than the Evora. It is also quieter at low speeds. The First Edition model that I am driving has a beautifully dampened ride, which is incredibly compliant over rough surfaces. The trunk is a good size and there’s a shelf behind the seats. The car’s size makes it perfect for road rallies and weekend getaways. As are the seats. It is very comfortable and easy to find the right seating position, as the pedals and wheel are positioned exactly how you want. The excellent visibility in this cabin makes it a good choice for first-time mid-engined drivers. There are a few quirks. It’s important to be careful when using the gear selector, as it is set by default in a central location. The shift paddles feel thin and small for something you are constantly in touch with. Image courtesy of Kahn Media
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Image courtesy Kahn Media
