You can now spec your ideal British mid-engined sports car.
Set to replace the Elise, Exige, and the Evora, the Lotus Emira has a lot weighing on its shoulders. It has to appeal to the die-hard Lotus fans – who value lightness and agility over everything else – and convince Porsche and Jaguar buyers that the brand really can produce a sports car that can be used every day. While previously, Lotus had a simple configurator for the new sports car, today it launched a new ultra-realistic version, showcasing more design options, placing the car in several settings, and even creating a custom video of your build.
Currently, just one engine option is available from Spring – the 400-horsepower 3.5-liter supercharged V6, sourced from Toyota and tuned by Yamaha. The V6 has a base price of $93,900. The website notes the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (from Mercedes-AMG) will only be made available from Autumn of this year. Both are First Edition derivatives, with the Base model arriving in 2023, with a price tag of $74,900.
A six-speed automatic transmission is available on the V6 for an additional $2,150. As standard, the Emira receives a six-speed manual with a Torsen limited-slip differential. Two chassis setups are also available (Touring and Sports) although neither are cost options. The latter does give you access to high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires in place of the standard Goodyear Eagle F1s, however.
A total of six colors are available with the First Edition – Seneca Blue, Nimbus Gray, Shadow Gray, Dark Verdant, Hethel Yellow, and Magma Red (pictured) – while three rims choices will be on offer. Brake calipers can also be color-matched, with Lotus painting them one of four shades: black, silver, red or yellow. For $1,400 extra, the British carmaker will fit the Emira with a Black Pack, which gives it a gloss black roof panel, mirror caps, side sills, and front splitter, among other things.
The interior is where things get interesting, the British carmaker providing more choice than in previous models.
With a far more modern, comfort-focused interior than before, the Emira boasts luxuries such as a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. First Edition derivatives boast a KEF premium audio system and 12-way powered seats with memory and heating functions.
Several interior trim choices are available, including four leather upholstery options in varying hues and three black Alcantara choices, with different contrast stitching. Even the steering wheel is customizable, with a black Alcantara or leather steering wheel made standard. Upgrading to a Nappa leather example will increase the price by $530. Other options include privacy glass and a vehicle tracker, at $565.
Once complete, you get to view your ideal Lotus Emira in a number of different settings, including daylight, sunlight, studio, and, our favorite, a video showing your perfectly specified Emira racing down a country road.
As life-like as the configurator is, the video creation of your dream-spec Lotus doesn't have sound, so you can't listen to the difference between the V6 First Edition and the 2.0T First Edition. You can always watch Jensen Button racing a V6 Emira around Laguna Seca instead. Lotus says its latest model can hit a top speed of 180 mph, courtesy of the supercharged V6. 0 to 60 mph is dispatched in less than 4.5 seconds, making it one serious sports car. Of course, this will be the Norfolk-based brand's last combustion-engined vehicle, making it a fitting send-off before the switch to battery power.
Keyword: Lotus Emira's Ultra-Realistic Configurator Is Like A Video Game