The Lotus Emira has had a rocky history in its brief time on the market. Production began in 2022, and they began arriving in the United States in 2024. However, problems with emissions certification meant the cars sat in showrooms for months while the automaker figured things out.The Emira has had several powertrains in its relatively brief model history. Lotus launched the vehicle with a Toyota-sourced supercharged V6 making 400 horsepower. Later, the company introduced a cheaper model with a Mercedes-AMG-sourced turbocharged four-cylinder with 360 hp. Now, the automaker is introducing a new engine option by launching the Emira 420 Sport. The company is touting it as "the lightest and most powerful Emira yet."This is what obsessive engineering looks like. We've built on everything Emira has achieved to date to deliver a car that is even more connected, more intuitive, and more rewarding to drive. It is a car for the drivers.- Qingfeng Feng, CEO of Lotus Group The Lotus Emira 420 Sport Arrives LotusThe Emira 420 Sport uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, making 414 hp and 369 pound-feet of torque. It hooks up to an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It's capable of reaching 62 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 186 mph.Lotus slightly tweaks the Emira's look for the 420 Sport. The revised areas include the front splitter, front air vents, side sills, rear inlets, lip spoiler, and the louvered rear panel. The company says the updates result in 15% more airflow to the outboard radiators, 14% more to the central radiator, 10% more for brake cooling, and a 30% increase in exhaust valve airflow.In terms of personalization, there are 16 exterior color options, including the 420 Sport-exclusive Tangelo Orange, and nine wheel options, including a new 20-inch 15-spoke design in satin dark grey.There are also small chassis tweaks. For example, the revised suspension setup includes lowering the ride height by 0.2 inches.An optional Lightweight Handling Pack adds two-way-adjustable Multimatic dampers, a titanium exhaust, a lithium-ion battery, several carbon-fiber components, and a Lotus Track Performance app to record lap times. With this package, the new 420 Sport is 55 pounds lighter, and the aerodynamic tweaks to the body produce an additional 55 pounds of downforce in comparison to the existing four-cylinder-powered Emira Turbo.The 420 Sport's cabin is largely the same as the existing models. The two occupants sit in 12-way adjustable seats. There are new carbon-fiber gearshift paddles behind the steering wheel. As options, additional carbon-fiber trim and hand-painted Tangelo Orange details are available.LotusLotus is also introducing a removable tinted glass roof panel available across the full Emira range. By taking off this piece, occupants can enjoy a modicum of open-air motoring. Owners can store the piece in a protective bag that stows behind the seats.In the UK, the Emira 420 Sport is now available to order for £105,900, with deliveries beginning in August. In the US, the car starts at $122,900, but the company isn't yet saying when the first units are coming to the country. An Even Hotter Emira Is Coming Horse PowertrainThe timing of the 420 Sport's launch is fascinating, given the recent announcement about Lotus partnering with the Chinese engine maker Horse – both of which belong to Geely. The automaker said the Emira would get a new V6 in 2027, and the power plant would replace the existing Toyota-sourced unit. No power output details for this application are available yet, but the engine is capable of making 536 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Those figures are significantly more than any existing Emira.Lotus Emira 420 Sport