Lotus’ swansong internal combustion model proves that one size can fit all, as our quick blast at Bathurst in the new Emira V6 shows
Lotus is at the beginning of arguably the biggest transformation in the British sports car-maker’s history. As the company prepares to commence production of five new EV models between now and 2026, it will also bid farewell to internal combustion with the swansong Lotus Emira. Here’s our first local taste of the V6 version – at one of the greatest circuits on the planet.
Three’s a crowd
In purest terms, the new 2022 Lotus Emira is the most important vehicle to date for the proud British marque.
Never mind the incoming onslaught of volume-selling EV models – including the imminent Lotus Evija hypercar.
The new Lotus Emira is effectively tasked with replacing the outgoing Lotus Exige, Elise and Evora sports cars that have kept the car-maker in business for the past two decades.
It is also how Lotus’ proud combustion-engine history will ultimately be judged in years to come, when the world is largely driven by electric propulsion.
Arriving in Australia from later this year, the Emira replaces Lotus’ current line-up with two engine choices. Here, we’re stepping into the flagship V6-powered 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition.
Coming and going
The 2022 Lotus Emira will begin trickling into Australian showrooms from July, initially in V6 First Edition trim only.
Pricing is set at $184,990 plus on-road costs priced for the six-speed manual 2022 Lotus Emira V6 First Edition, while the automatic variant adds a $4000 premium.
The Emira V6 uses a Toyota-sourced 298kW 3.5-litre supercharged V6 and can be had with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic, the latter bumping up the maximum torque figure by 10Nm to 430Nm.
The V6 offers a 4.3sec 0-100km/h time in manual form (4.2sec for the automatic), and a top speed of 290km/h.
The entire first allocation of the V6 First Edition has already been sold in Australia, but there’s good news with Lotus planning additional production runs of that model together with an eventual V6 Base Edition which will lower the price by $15,000 (to $169,990 plus ORCs).
The automatic-only Lotus Emira I4 will follow in 2023, offering a lower price tag of $177,990 plus ORCs in First Edition trim and $155,990 plus ORCs as a Base Edition.
The Emira I4 is powered by a bespoke version of the Mercedes-AMG M139 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine good for 268kW/430Nm. It’s paired exclusively to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission developed in collaboration with AMG.
The Lotus Emira V6 First Edition features hydraulic power-assist steering, rides on 20-inch diamond-cut forged alloy wheels, stops via two-piece brake discs with branded callipers and has tyre pressure monitoring.
Exterior details include LED lights all-round, a titanium exhaust finisher, heated power-fold door mirrors, rear parking sensors and six exterior paint colours all paired with gloss black for items such as the splitter, diffuser and side sills.
A 10.25-inch touch-screen occupies the minimalist dashboard centre fascia, replete with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and sat-nav. It is matched by a swish 12.3-inch TFT display in the instrument cluster.
There’s also 12-way adjustable heated seats with two memory settings for the driver, climate control, cruise control, keyless start and selectable drive modes.
The Emira takes a big step forward where safety is concerned, adopting the latest electronic driver aids to keep pace with modern expectations.
The Lotus Emira is backed by a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia, which is less generous than other manufacturers.
As a guide, individual servicing costs between $325 and $795, depending on usage.
Bathurst test
Our first taste of the 2022 Lotus Emira V6 First Edition comes in the form of about five laps at Mount Panorama, Bathurst.
The tester is a left-hand drive pre-production example and sits on the harder of two optional chassis tunes with track-based Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber.
It also has a manual transmission, and your correspondent is the first non-Lotus person in the country to drive it.
Oh, and we’re sharing the track with dozens of other Lotus enthusiasts. No pressure then!
Settling into the cockpit still inside the pit garage, there’s a strong user-friendly bent to the Lotus Emira – especially compared with Lotus models of old.
The door sill is lower set and narrower, while the door aperture seems slightly more accommodating in terms of ingress and egress. At 176cm, your correspondent has little trouble with headroom or space (with a helmet on as well), though taller occupants might not share the same view.
Vision is open and there is a strong assortment of incidental cubbies and compartments. The two-seater cabin feels decidedly more spacious and airy than previous models (Lotus Evora aside), though luggage space still isn’t quite as commodious as the evergreen Porsche Cayman.
Elsewhere the cabin presentation, control modulation and outright refinement take a positive step forward, while a visible gear shift mechanism and alloy ball-topped gear lever ensures the Emira stays true to Lotus values.
Thankfully, the driving experience does as well.
Quite simply, the Emira takes all the classic mechanical elements of Lotus and overlays them with a subtle digital veneer.
Furthermore, it does so while imbuing the driver with inherent confidence on account of the car’s larger footprint and outright stability.
Zipping out of pit lane and up Mountain Straight, the 3.5-litre blown-six is lag-free and eagerly explores its mid to upper reaches in each ratio.
A seemingly soft rev limiter set at about 6500rpm is met on several occasions, such is the engine’s willingness to pull through to the top end of the dial.
Although the V6 is not new, the raucous soundtrack it produces is as scintillating as ever.
The Emira’s six-speed manual transmission makes for an engaging combination, too – though we’ll reserve full judgement until we’re in a more customary right-hand drive setting.
The throw feels a tad longer than expected and there’s a couple of occasions where we snag the gate between second and third, but the shift itself is suitably tactile. If anything, the gearing feels a tad tall in the Emira, especially in the higher ratios: not once did we shift for sixth gear on Conrod, despite speeds approaching 250km/h.
Over the mountain itself, the Lotus Emira enamours with excellent front-end purchase wrought from its fast steering rack and 245-section front tyres.
The steering uses hydraulic power assistance and feels fluid and natural in the hands. It telegraphs more feedback and movement than modern electric systems, and has more weight, yet the inputs required are never arduous or tiring.
Staggered 295-section rear rubber combines with the Emira’s large footprint to ensure excellent high-speed stability when leaning on the chassis through Sulman Park and McPhillamy Park.
At 1400kg, this isn’t a particularly light Lotus but movements are well controlled and preceded by appropriate levels of body roll.
Whereas some earlier Lotus models have a tendency of almost overloading the senses with feedback – combining with their diminutive size to create a feeling of vulnerability at somewhere like Mt Panorama – the new Emira is a statement in solidity and composure.
The car’s limited-slip differential delivers power predictably and assists with corner rotation and balance, while the car-maker’s traditional focus on lightness is inherent through fast changes in direction and heavy braking applications alike.
Bombing down through the Esses or into Murray’s Corner, the brakes clamp down with extraordinary bite and show no sign of fade.
The unknown here is how the Emira will fare on regular roads, but even in this stiffer chassis tune, there’s ample pliancy to suggest it will be a strong overall package.
Up to it
Replacing generations of fundamental Lotus models with a solitary car is no mean feat, but we reckon the 2022 Lotus Emira is up to the task.
The new V6 covers a broad cross-section, and the forthcoming I4 will add more versatility to the mix.
Although it potentially lacks the delicacy of smaller, lighter Lotus models, the Emira more than makes up for it with its balance, composure and ability to build driver confidence.
And crucially, it gets all the other bits right where earlier models were sorely lacking. It turns out modern enthusiasts do care about infotainment, day-to-day comfort and convenience…
The development and investment put into this Emira suggest Lotus’ parent company Geely clearly means business.
It’s just a shame this is the last volume internal combustion model we’ll see.
How much does the 2022 Lotus Emira V6 First Edition cost?Price: $184,990 (plus on-road costs)Available: NowEngine: 3.5-litre V6 supercharged petrolOutput: 298kW/420NmTransmission: Six-speed manualFuel: 11.2L/100km (WLTP Combined)CO2: 243g/km (WLTP Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested
Keyword: Lotus Emira 2022 Review