Enhanced Edition Lotus Emira Turbo SE, Offering Standard High-end Features
Lotus Emira Turbo SE Yields Surprising Performance Boost
The last internal combustion model from Lotus, the Emira, has received an unexpected performance boost, as the entry-level four-cylinder engine now outperforms the V6. This isn't the only peculiarity of this sports car.
Amid the launch of the Emira, the last sports car from the British brand featuring an internal combustion engine, Mercedes-AMG presents a quandary for Lotus customers. It's not due to a competing model from AMG, but rather because the 2.0-liter four-cylinder from Affalterbach now delivers 294 kW/400 PS in the Lotus Emira Turbo SE. This surpasses the Emira V6's 3.5-liter engine, while offering better performance at lower consumption. The entry-level variant also comes with a lower price tag of €109,490, €3,000 less expensive.
Historically, the "SE" in Lotus signifies "Special Equipment" – in this case, a package that includes a finely tuned sports suspension, reinforced, cross-drilled, and ventilated brake discs, and launch control – all as standard equipment in the Emira Turbo SE. The bundle is enhanced by gray 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels with contrasting red brake calipers and an Alcantara headliner.
A Powerful Four-Cylinder Engine
In comparison to the First Edition of the Emira, the four-cylinder codenamed M139 by AMG delivers 40 more horsepower and offers 50 Newton meters more torque. The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, also from Affalterbach, propels the Emira Turbo SE from 0 to 100 km/h in four seconds and to a top speed of 291 km/h – a 16 km/h increase over the previous version.
During testing in Sweden, we found the seating position in this 1.23-meter high, two-seater to be extremely low. Due to the mid-engine position in the rear, the front of the car drops off aerodynamically so steeply in front of the windshield that it's difficult to tell where it ends behind the steering wheel.
A Precise Handler with a Distinct Feel
The steering is direct and provides such feedback that a lane change on the highway can be felt in the steering wheel. The precision on the racetrack can sometimes be a bit too much for long drives, as the Emira tends to follow road imperfections.
Despite this, the Briton performs exceptionally well at high speeds. At 200 km/h, aerodynamics generate 55 kilograms of downforce, ensuring driving stability. The audio experience is commendable given the relatively small displacement for a sports car, offering a full-bodied, sonorous sound during powerful acceleration. Fuel consumption can be kept below ten liters for those sticking to the speed limit on the highway.
Reliable Braking and Multiple Driving Modes
On the racetrack, the Emira Turbo SE is easily controllable for amateurs. The brakes remain stable even after several fast laps. Three driving modes – Touring, Sport, and Track – allow for adjustments to how much electronic driving aids assist, adapting the sports car to different levels of experience.
The question remains: for whom does the Emira V6 still hold appeal? Lotus claims the larger sibling is better suited for the track. For purists, a manual transmission can still be ordered, an option not available in the Turbo version. Therefore, buyers of the latter should embrace the semi-automatic mode via steering wheel paddle shifters, as an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission may become a relic if Lotus discontinues the Emira and focuses solely on electric vehicles.
Technical Specifications
- Compact class, two-seater coupé
- Length: 4.41 meters, Width: 1.90 meters (with exterior mirrors: 2.09 meters), Height: 1.23 meters, Wheelbase: 2.58 meters, Trunk volume: 151 liters
- 2.0-liter gasoline engine: 294 kW/400 PS, Torque: 480 Nm; Rear-wheel drive, 8-speed dual-clutch transmission
- 0-100 km/h: 4.0 s, Vmax: 291 km/h, Combined consumption: 9.192 l/100 km, CO2 emissions: 208 g/km
- Price: €109,490
Sources: ntv.de, Martin Westerhoff, sp-x
- Lotus
- Sports Cars
- Compact Class
The surprising performance boost in the Lotus Emira Turbo SE is not only due to its powerful four-cylinder engine but also its improved fuel efficiency, representing a significant shift in financed lifestyle choices, especially when compared to the V6 version. As technology continues to evolve, the manufacture from materials of any heading, excluding that of the product, will undoubtedly impact the sports world, including in the racing scene where the Emira Turbo SE demonstrates its potential.
