Lotus Emira turbo (inc. 0-100 & braking) review: A bargain supercar?

We finally had the chance to get behind the wheel of the Lotus Emira First Edition with the Mercedes-AMG-sourced four-cylinder turbo engine. Is it worth the price tag? Paul Maric finds out.

Skip Ahead:
Intro: 00:00
Exterior: 01:14
Interior: 04:32
Infotainment: 06:14
Practicality: 08:08
On the Road: 09:44
Accel. & braking: 15:31
Stability modes: 17:45
Verdict: 20:53

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CarExpert:

Paul Maric:

#lotus #emira #review

[bretthaines]

Since you asked for comments from owners, here you go. Purchased for $206, 000 V6 First Edition Manual 2023 with every option. Run in as per Lotus advice, took it to the track, it broke down in the pitlane before the first lap. Brought it home, next week the alarm activates and can't turn off without disconnecting the battery. Back to Lotus where they can't replicate the problem. Take it to the track again and performs ok until fuel fillup at the end of the day and won't start. Disconnect the battery again and starts but don't dare to stop all the way home (90 minutes). In total it broke down four times in the first four months. Numerous bubbles appeared in passenger door paintwork, back to Lotus, needs a new door, on back order no idea when it's coming. Water leaking in the footwell, Back to Lotus, a firewall plug failed, carpet soaked and completely removed to dry. As a side note I also have a 2015 Porsche Cayman GT4 (yes a 9 year old car) which is more fun on track and on road, more comfortable and after 6 track days 10 times more reliable. Admittedly I did drive the Emira from the Gold Coast to Bathurst and back with some fun roads on the way and it didn't miss a beat on that trip. After 12 months ownership I traded my Emira with 5, 000 km's for a net loss of over $100, 000.

[pwolsey]

I know the comments section is usually the complaints department but I have one of the very first Australian delivered V6 cars in manual. Over a couple of years with a ton of road miles, track days and closed-road events it hasn't missed a beat. The only downside has been that I rarely get to fill it up without having a conversation with another Lotus fan. I think the AMG powered cars will be phenomenal when they get around to really seeing what the engine can do but for me the manual gearbox is the killer feature. I'm looking forward to Lotus developing the Emira even further.

[PaulG]

I've owned my 2007 Lotus Exige S since new, and I'm still in love with her... At this sage I cant see myself upgrading or buying another car.. She still make me smile when I driver her, and I still think she look amazing....But in saying that, another lotus in the garage would be nice 😜

[neosoviet]

I saw a yellow v6 Emira in Geelong, my goodness it looks so gorgeous. One of my dream cars 🤩

[maxdebtfiler]

Comment from a Lotus owner. I have an Elise Final Edition and have been lucky enough to drive a V6 manual Emira a few times now. And I think it's awesome. It sounds like a lot of money, but they were asking close to that for the final edition Exiges, and this is so superior. Would I buy one? Hmmm. Driving it with a Lotus owner's perspective - I can see that a lot of the stuff that goes wrong in the Elise/Exige would still go wrong in this.... electronics sensors and control units, random Check Engine Lights - that sort of stuff. The core is still the same. But the Emira is such a fantastic car - Every drive in it is an event. I reckon it's the most interesting car by far on the market at the moment. Not sick of the Elise yet - but will definitely consider this when that time comes.

[Johnwusah]

Great review.
This is the first time I’ve seen a video of a meridian blue Emira. And it is by far the best color imo. I cannot wait to pick my M blue Emira in a few months!

[evansc]

I’ve had 2 S3 Elise’s and currently have a 410 Exige. All from new and can say they have been the most reliable cars I’ve owned. Routinely thrashed on track days and nights! Excellent support for services from SSC Lotus. Would I trade my Exige for an Emira? Never! But I would consider a final edition along side my Exige. I will be keeping an eye on how they develop and hope they don’t go fully electric after this model.

[kilsyth]

I am Australian who lives in China and owns a Lotus Emira i4 Touring spec (not the V6). The Chinese version is more powerful with 400hp and lots of torque. So with eight gears, being lighter with more power the outcome is as expected - 3.7 seconds to 100 kph. The other thing to note is that rear suspension on the AMG version is better and lighter plus the motor is lower and lighter so it handles better. I have driven this car as a daily driver and driven is all over China. It has exceeded my expectations and it has been 100% reliable. I hope you guys get the more powerful AMG motor shortly. It is comfortable but it handles and goes. Because it has 8 gears and a turbo motor on the freeway it has fantastic fuel consumption. By the way it looks absolutely fantastic. Highly recommended.

[todwcampbell]

Nice review. Looks like you were enjoying yourself!

[chrisdan]

I have a Lotus Elise 2014 that I have thrashed at the track for years and on the road put on 40, 000 kms with no issues. I am also the proud owner of a manual v6 emira verdant green tan interior tour with 3, 000km owned for 12 months with no issues. Love them both. I know a number of Lotus drivers that have moved from Porsche and BMW to Lotus and have found them more reliable. I think the Lots of trouble usually serious might be the case with the older cars pre 2010’s before link with Toyota.

[rynomuncher]

I'd definitely rather have the V6 manual. Sounds awesome from all the videos I've watched!

[justaddafan]

Weight dist is 39/61 F/R. Elise owner, I'm going to add an Emira, not replacement, same color combination, but the manual V6.

[danbissett]

Had mine since August 23 not one issue and I've had the updates on my service 2 months prior. So glad I didn't buy a porsche again. The car is immense.

[knight]

Love the Emira, have been in one and can honestly say it’s a very nice car and in typical Lotus style it handles superbly but also like Lotus vehicles there isn’t much room inside and if you’re anywhere near average in height or weight then it gets tight but if you’re a small person they are definitely incredible

[TheYousken]

You’d have to have rocks in your head to pay $200, 000 for a 4 pot. Great video as always.

[Docinaplane]

Sports car, yes, supercar, no. I'm team Lotus. Have a Lotus Evora GT with a manual in the states that's been tuned and modified to 504bhp and 403rwt. It's a very good sounding and fast sports car. I could have an Emira, don't want one, but I'm glad yours makes you happy, Cheers.

[christopherchander]

Wow!
Amazing braking ability!
Lotus has now joined the exclusive company of the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fé.
😂😂😂

[TheHayabusa]

I worked on the Larry Perkins driven Lotus S4 as an apprentice mechanic @ the Bathurst 12 endurance back in '93. Lotus were new on the market and were gunning for a podium finish. It continually came into pit line with serious mechanical/electrical issues, until it eventually caught fire during a brake pad change. Old Larry was not impressed...

[brownhairydog]

I've always been sold on the V6 version of this but 4. Cylinder might be the better driving choice. Seems like a cracking car

[jacksonfraser]

Only 40km in reverse? Literally undriveable