I always enjoy the feeling I get when I sit in the driver’s seat of a car for the first time. Whether it’s a classic or modern, getting to experience a car for the very first time is something I don’t think I will ever get bored of… And the Lotus Emira V6 certainly was a memorable first for me!
Before we get into all of the typical numbers, it’s worth mentioning that the Emira has a huge weight of expectation on its shoulders. It is the last combustion-engined Lotus before the brand steps into a full range of hybrid or fully electric vehicles.
The Emira seems to be a car designed to build a new audience for Lotus, but also a hugely appealing model for those of us who have always loved the raw, analogue side of driving.
First Impressions of the Lotus Emira V6
I often talk about how I like cars to be subtle in their loudness. You can get some much louder colours, but for me, the Nimbus Grey is ideal. As the Emira is such a stunning car to look at, I think the subtle colour is all it needs to be an attention-grabber anyway. Interestingly, the tan leather interior would not have been my first choice. However, now that I have experienced it for myself, I actually think it looks great and could certainly see myself being able to live with it.
The 20-inch V-spoke diamond cut wheels and yellow brake callipers are slightly less subtle! I didn’t mind that in the end, as the car is going to turn a few heads anyway, so you might as well have some extra loud features too.
When you get in the Lotus Emira, things are quite different to the models of the past. Where previous models, like the Elise, were known for their bare aluminium and exposed linkages, the Emira has those tan leather seats I previously mentioned and Alcantara headlining. It also has a KEF Premium audio system, heated seats, and all of the everyday practical and comfort features you need. This all points to a very clear message: the Emira is a car you could happily use every day.
I should add that despite the big step up in comfort and quality, the fundamentals of the Emira are recognisably Lotus. You sit low, legs stretched out, with a gear stick to your left. It still has that raw, simple feel that you don’t always get in new cars today. This is a car built in Hethel for people who want to have fun driving.
The Specification
This Emira is powered by a supercharged V6, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. There are no paddles, no fancy gear changes, just that classic Lotus feel of simplistic driving. I think that’s important, as most new cars nowadays are much more complex, but I love the statement this makes – this is how we used to drive and loved it, let’s do that again!
From my experience behind the wheel, the Emira isn’t just about driving fast around the track; it’s actually built to be used on the road every day. Don’t get me wrong, the Touring suspension setup and Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tyres certainly don’t slow the Emira down to a crawl (it is still very fast), it just doesn’t want to be a track-only car. It wants you to use it every day, whether you’re going to work, the shop, or on a road trip.
As I said earlier (and likely will again), the Emira is a new audience builder but still something that the purist Lotus enthusiasts will like too.
On the Road
I used the Lotus Emira V6 as my daily and had no real issues in doing so. It’s obviously thirstier than your “normal” type of daily driver, but, in terms of comfort and practicality, it matches up really well. That being said, cargo space is somewhat limited, but you can fit in a work bag, a small shopping trip, or your daily essentials.
The engine is a Toyota-sourced 3.5-litre supercharged V6. The way I like to describe how this makes the Emira feel is that if you are driving at normal road speeds, it is drama-free and very easy to cover as many miles as you need to. However, if you push it a bit closer to the red line, you quickly realise that it certainly can keep up with some of the big boys on the road.
I spent most of the time in touring mode and found it comfortable and an all-round nice place to be on longer drives. I did, however, switch to sport mode a couple of times, and I can confirm the noise from the exhaust increases and the performance increases. I would have regretted it forever if I hadn’t used sport mode at least a couple of times!
Market Position
At £102,955 including VAT, the Emira sits in some pretty serious company. The obvious comparison is the Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0, a car that has been the benchmark in this class for a while. You could also look at the Alpine A110, which is lighter, less powerful but could be considered more fun.
It’s worth remembering, though, that the Lotus Emira is not trying to be the lightest car in the world, or the most powerful. Instead, it’s about giving you a car that you can actually drive every day but has enough power to be fun and noisy when you want it to be.
And remember, this is the last combustion-engined Lotus, and that is a big deal that makes the Emira extra special.
Living With The Lotus Emira
For me, the Emira is a car I could genuinely live with. The cabin is comfortable, visibility is good, and the technology is there to make day-to-day driving easier.
Practicality is weak in some areas, the boot is modest, and storage in the cabin is limited. But this is a car you could drive to work, take on a weekend away, and still look forward to blasting down your favourite B-road.
Lotus Emira V6
The Lotus Emira V6 is a stunning car. It’s a car that you can use every day and one that feels very much at home on B-roads and motorways alike. It also delivers the raw analogue driving experience that’s rapidly disappearing from the market.
At just over £100,000, it’s not cheap. But then, as I’ve now said several times, it’s the last combustion Lotus, and that alone could be enough to help justify the price tag.
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