Lotus Emira 420 Sport Sheds Weight and Adds OomphLotus (Lotus)The 2027 Lotus 420 Sport is a more powerful version of the British sports car featuring the Mercedes-AMG-sourced 2.0-liter turbo fourThe Emira 420 Sport produces 414 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque, each increases of 14 over the standard Emira Turbo.The optional Lightweight Handling package cuts 55 pounds, while also increasing peak downforce by 55 pounds thanks to revised aerodynamics.Colin Chapman, the founder of Lotus, famously touted the mantra, "Simplify, then add lightness." The British brand has moved away from that in recent years with vehicles like the electric Eletre SUV, but it's re-embracing Chapman's ethos with the 2027 Lotus Emira 420 Sport, cutting weight from its two-seat sports car and even adding a bit more punch.Lotus (Lotus)Lotus says this new variant is the lightest and most aerodynamically advanced Emira built so far—and it's the most potent too. As the name suggests, the Emira 420 Sport produces 420 PS from the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder provided by Mercedes-AMG. That translates to 414 horsepower, 14 more than the engine churns out in the standard Emira. Torque is also up, with the 420 Sport producing 368 pound-feet, an increase of 14. Lotus claims that 62 mph arrives in 3.9 seconds, an improvement of a few tenths, while the top speed is listed at 186 mph.AdvertisementAdvertisementSpring for the optional Lightweight Handling package, and the Emira 420 Sport sheds 55 pounds versus a standard Emira Turbo, while also producing 55 more pounds of downforce. Lotus claims the aerodynamic tweaks bring improved cooling without an increase in drag. The changes include a new front splitter, more dramatic side sills, and larger air intakes. The front ducts have also been redesigned, and there are vents atop the front fenders, a new lip spoiler, and a louvered panel above the engine bay.Lotus (Lotus)Lotus says that airflow to the outboard radiators is up by 15 percent, and up by 14 percent to the central radiator. Brake cooling is also 10 percent better, while exhaust valve airflow is boosted by 30 percent. The Lightweight Handling pack brings two-way adjustable dampers from the wizards at Multimatic, carbon-fiber bits, and a titanium exhaust. There's also a lithium-ion battery and a Lotus Track Performance app to record lap times.Other changes include a slightly lower ride height, reworked suspension tuning, and sticky new tires. Inside, the shift paddles are now made from carbon fiber, while a new exterior carbon-fiber package is available too. The Emira 420 Sport's debut also coincides with the arrival of a new removable tinted glass roof panel, which will be offered across the lineup.The 2027 Emira 420 Sport can be ordered now, and deliveries are due to kick off in August 2026. Pricing in the U.S. starts at $125,400.➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.Shop New Cars Shop Used CarsYou Might Also LikeGift Guide: Best Ride-On Electric Cars for KidsFuture Cars Worth Waiting For: 2025–2029