Lotus Emira

The last of its kind. The Emira (Type 131) replaced the Elise, Exige and Evora in one shot, and it's the car that ends Lotus's combustion story. Two very different hearts: the carry-over Toyota 2GR-FE supercharged 3.5 V6 — offered, importantly, with a six-speed manual — and a later Mercedes-AMG M139 2.0 turbo four driving an eight-speed DCT. The trade vs the old cars is deliberate: a proper interior, usable doors, modern electronics, at the cost of the stripped-out purity that defined the Elise/Exige. What carries over is the bonded-aluminium chassis, double wishbones and a kerb weight that's still light for the class. The enthusiast pick is the V6 manual — the combination Lotus knew its faithful wanted before the brand goes electric. Where it places: the bridge between Hethel's analogue past and its EV future, and the last new Lotus you can shift yourself.

• MotorTrend

  2027 Lotus Emira 420 Sport First Drive: Certified Joy Machine

  ◆Worth it

  The Emira 420 Sport is a masterclass in driver engagement, proving that Lotus remains at the top of its game when it comes to pure, visceral driving joy.

  Best for

  Enthusiasts who prioritize chassis balance and steering feedback over daily comfort.

  Watch out

  High wind noise from the glass roof · Lack of interior storage · Occasional transmission hesitation

  Jul 22, 20261,379 wordsOpen article ↗

  Quotes worth your time

  1. performance“The throttle pedal obeys your asks of it without delay. Lean on it more gently, and the engine feeds in gradual power. Stab at it, and the transmission gets involved, kicking down a gear or two as acceleration swells like a charging bull”
  2. handling“The steering rack feels just a smidge on the slow side when making sudden adjustments. Still linear and communicative, though.”
  3. fun to drive“Whether or not you’re a seasoned driver, fun is a prize this Lotus hands out to just about anyone.”
  4. daily drivability“The first is the removable tinted glass roof—the only one available on the 420 Sport. It lets in light but also heat, not to mention the wind can become incredibly loud as it rushes over the roof at high speeds.”
  5. value“They say money can’t buy happiness, but if you have the money, it sure can buy an Emira, and with it, more joy.”

• Car and Driver

  Lotus Emira 420 Sport Driven: Quick, and Going Quick?

  ◆Worth it

  The Emira 420 Sport is a near-perfect performance machine that successfully bridges the gap between track-focused agility and daily usability, though its high price makes it a significant investment.

  Best for

  Enthusiasts seeking a communicative, analog-feeling sports car with modern performance.

  Watch out

  Limited cargo space · High price point · Brake fade under heavy track use · Tour mode transmission lag

  Jul 22, 20261,940 wordsOpen article ↗

  Quotes worth your time

  1. performance“the new Emira 420 Sport now leapfrogs the V-6-powered Emira to claim the top performance spot in the lineup.”
  2. handling“The Emira still uses hydraulic steering, and every numb, heavy-wheeled competitor ought to take note because this is what turning a car should feel like.”
  3. fun to drive“In our untimed laps at Lotus's Hethel test circuit, the 420 scooted out of corners like it was running from the cops”
  4. daily drivability“Of all the sports cars we've driven, the Emira ranks high on the list for daily drivability.”
  5. value“The Emira is also expensive, starting at $125,400, which puts it close to 911 territory”

• Road & Track

  The Lotus Emira 420 Sport Is a Sharp Lightweight

  ◆Worth it

  The Emira 420 Sport is the most capable and refined version of the Emira yet, offering a compelling, lightweight-focused experience despite minor transmission and interior gripes.

  Best for

  Enthusiasts seeking a lightweight, agile sports car with a unique, left-field character.

  Watch out

  Transmission upshift lag · Lack of aggressive bucket seats · Ordinary engine note · Chunky steering wheel rim

  Jul 21, 20261,501 wordsOpen article ↗

  Quotes worth your time

  1. performance“The 2.0-liter four-cylinder Mercedes-AMG engine comes on strong, and from 3500 rpm, it really starts to bite.”
  2. handling“The balance is really sweet. There’s a bit of understeer in the tighter turns, but trail-braking brings the tail easily into play and in the fast turns it’s really neutral without feeling too edgy.”
  3. fun to drive“There’s more urgency to everything it does and greater composure when you start really testing the chassis.”
  4. daily drivability“The surface is craggy and the Sport stays composed, and the structure feels rock solid, but the steering wriggles in your hands and you feel very much connected to the surface.”
  5. value“Lotus has done a fantastic job with its resources, but you can feel the next step requires more funding to give it a chance to stand toe-to-toe with no caveats or excuses in any department.”

• First Edition
  launch-spec V6, fully loaded

The last combustion Lotus. Early cars had software and build-quality teething, and the AMG-sourced M139 four (8-speed DCT) arrived well after the Toyota V6. The manual is V6-only — if you want three pedals, it's the supercharged 2GR or nothing.