The Two Lotus Emira Models, are the V6 First Edition and the i4 Four Cylinder.

Lotus Emira V6 and Four Cylinder models

Now this is a car I can't wait to review; the Lotus Emira has two new models coming out of the Norfolk-based marque. I will climb into one soon, but I wanted to tell you about the launch.

Since its debut two years ago, the critically acclaimed and award-winning Lotus Emira V6 has secured its rightful place as the most accomplished Lotus sports car ever made. With a striking design, astonishing performance and benchmark ride and handling, its supercharged 3.5-litre powerplant, matched to a choice of six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, delivers a driving experience that could only be from Lotus.

The appeal of this mid-engined two-seater is further enhanced by adding a four-cylinder engine which features state-of-the-art technologies to deliver incredible performance and remarkable efficiency. Supplied by technical partner Mercedes-AMG, the all-aluminium, turbocharged 2.0-litre unit is based on the world's most powerful four-cylinder in series production.

Badged for launch as the Emira First Edition, Lotus has further developed it with new intake and exhaust systems, plus a bespoke calibration matched to new transmission shift mapping. Producing 360bhp (365PS) and 430Nm makes it a perfect match to Emira's lightweight, strong, stiff, bonded and extruded aluminium chassis structure and aligns with the Lotus ethos of delivering higher performance by reducing mass.

It's also fitting that, as the final mainstream combustion engine Lotus two-seater, the Emira is the most potent four-cylinder from Lotus in a rich bloodline of iconic models, including the Elise, Esprit, Europa, Elan and Elite. And, at 180bhp/litre, it also has the highest specific power output in the Emira range.

Like the renowned 400bhp supercharged V6, the four-cylinder car delivers all the performance and responsiveness that drivers expect – 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in just 4.4 seconds and a 180mph (290km/h) maximum speed – while bringing its unique character to the Emira range. The inherent day-to-day usability and comfort of the smooth and rapid shifting dual-clutch transmission enhance that character.

Sending drive to the rear wheels is Mercedes-AMG's acclaimed eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) – the first use of the technology by Lotus and fitted exclusively to the Emira. Compared to the six-speed manual and automatic transmissions on the Emira V6, the DCT offers even quicker gear changes with no torque interruption during shifting, enhancing efficiency and shift comfort. Drivers also have the choice of smooth, effortless transitions if they leave the car in Drive or ultra-fast dynamic changes if they control the transmission themselves using the shift lever in the centre console or steering wheel paddles.

Launch control enables the driver to set the car up for optimum acceleration from a standing start by maximising the available traction from the rear wheels and torque from the powertrain. The feature enables consistent, optimal getaways – repeatedly – allowing the driver to exploit Emira's exhilarating performance fully.

The Emira's light, stiff, bonded aluminium Lotus Sports Car Architecture gave the vehicle dynamics engineers the perfect platform to develop the car's ride, handling and steering characteristics, which set the class benchmark, as every Lotus sports car should.

The Emira features race-derived, lightweight, forged aluminium double-wishbone suspension all around, which delivers the greatest control of the tyre contact patch throughout the suspension's full range of travel, contributing to the Emira's exceptional agility and responsiveness. The introduction of the four-cylinder engine to the Emira range allowed Lotus to introduce a new, lightweight cast aluminium rear subframe to optimise the packaging of the powerplant within the chassis structure. It's in place of the steel assembly used on the Emira V6 and contributes to a total weight saving of 12kg. The subframe also houses the new rear suspension.

The electro-hydraulic steering system delivers the pure, truly connected feel fundamental to Lotus sports car DNA and speed-dependent efforts, but without the losses created by an engine-driven pump. The immediacy of response to every input the driver makes is amplified by the seating position being almost in the centre of the 2,575mm wheelbase, thanks to the Emira's mid-engine configuration.

The Eibach springs and Bilstein high-pressure monotube dampers are meticulously tuned to suit the Emira and are offered with different settings depending on whether the customer chooses the Tour or Sport chassis settings. Tour is optimised for road use, offering softer springs and dampers, while Sport is track-focused with stiffer springs and dampers and increased camber and toe angles to maximise grip. The anti-roll bar stiffnesses are also bespoke to Emira, and the component on the front axle is now lighter too.

The braking system provides stopping power commensurate with the new engine's output and features lightweight, two-piece, cross-drilled and slotted discs with four-piston callipers on the front axle. The callipers can be finished in four colours at no extra cost.

Complementing the changes to the chassis hardware is an entirely new calibration for the Electronic Stability Control system. There's also an e-Diff function that can apply carefully modulated brake pressure to the rear wheels to maximise traction by transferring torque to the one with the most grip, which is particularly beneficial when accelerating out of slow corners. It also enhances dynamic performance and control in challenging conditions, such as roads covered in snow, rain or mud.

Emira's design is a development of sculpted surfaces and technical detailing, which debuted on the all-electric Evija hypercar and brought unrivalled supercar desirability to the sports car segment. Stunning, timeless and unmistakably, Lotus's perfect proportions and athletic, taught, shrink-wrapped form embody Lotus sports car DNA.

Full-LED headlights fill the front, each with a double 'blade' daytime running light signature. Purposeful angular bonnet ducts guide airflow over the car, reducing drag and reinforcing the Emira's performance potential while making a direct visual link to the Evija.

Sculpted doors feature deployable handles, cutting drag, while the dramatic form pressed into the outer skin blends seamlessly into the intake ducts integrated into the muscular rear haunches. These feed air, via the water-cooled charge cooler, to the engine's intake system and help cool the engine itself.

The car's rear features two distinctive gloss black vents, allowing air to flow from the wheel arches. Beneath, also finished in gloss black, is the rear diffuser, into which the two exhaust pipes and rear number plate are neatly integrated.

Luxurious, spacious and unmistakably driver-focused, the Emira's interior is beautifully crafted and combines rich materials and the latest technologies. The occupants get premium levels of comfort, usability and practicality which set new standards for Lotus sports cars.

In front of the flat-bottomed steering wheel is a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster for the driver, and in the centre of the cockpit is a 10.25-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. It features integrated navigation with the content designed in-house, making it simple and intuitive to use while enhancing the driving experience.

Lotus has partnered with KEF to produce a 10-channel, 560W premium audio system for the Emira. KEF's signature Uni-QTM technology combines tweeter and mid-range into a single, acoustically-optimised unit. The system is gorgeously finished with a distinctive bespoke speaker fret design.

The twelve-way power-adjust heated seats provide incredible support for spirited driving and superb comfort on long drives. You can choose various colours of Nappa leather or black Alcantara. The materials are also offered on the steering wheel, as an option, with the top dead centre band and stitching available in yellow, red or ice grey. Black Alcantara is also used for the headliner, further enriching the cabin. Behind the two seats is 208 litres of storage, with the rear luggage compartment offering a further 151 litres.

Rivals in this lightweight sportscar sector come from some tasty models; Porsche has their Cayman

https://www.porsche.com/canada/en/models/718/718-models/718-cayman/ which is Emira's main competition, Alpine's A110 https://www.alpine-cars.co.uk/range/a110.html

and the Toyota GR Supra. https://www.toyota.ca/toyota/en/vehicles/supra/overview

Watch this space for the road test and review.

Lotus Emira First Edition, £81,495

Lotus Emira i4 price TBA in 2024.

https://www.lotuscars.com/en-GB/emira