Lotus Emira Review: The Last ICE Lotus, and a Damn Good One
Reviews

Lotus Emira Review: The Last ICE Lotus, and a Damn Good One

Lotus spent decades making cars that were brilliant on track and miserable everywhere else. The Emira changes the script: it is the first Lotus you could genuinely recommend to a normal buyer.

Looks that stop traffic

Squat, wide, and intricately detailed, the Emira wears supercar styling at a sports-car price. People assume it costs twice what it does.

Drive it, then decide

The supercharged V6 with the manual is the enthusiast pick. It is not the most explosive engine, but the chassis turns every bend into an event. The hydraulic steering is a relic of a better age, in the best way.

The Emira is the car Lotus needed to build — and a fitting farewell to the internal combustion engine from a company that defined it.

Pros

  • Exotic looks for the price
  • Available manual V6
  • Sharp, communicative chassis
  • Civilised enough for daily use

Cons

  • Toyota-sourced V6 feels soft up top
  • Cabin storage tight
  • i4 auto less engaging
Verdict

The Emira proves Lotus can build a usable, beautiful, properly quick sports car — a fitting swansong for the combustion era.