Lotus has confirmed the standard specification for the four-cylinder version of its Emira First Edition sports car.
The Emira is the last petrol-powered car from Lotus before a new all-electric era begins on March 29 when the Type 132 makes its debut. And what a petrol – a version of the world’s most powerful four-cylinder, no less.
Customers in the UK can reserve their chosen car through the Lotus website from April 8 and deliveries will start towards the end of 2022. Australia, too, will receive the vehicle.
Australian pricing is yet-to-be confirmed, but in the UK the Emira First Edition will start from £71,995 (A$130,000). By contrast the V6 First Edition launched at £75,995 ($137,300).
MORE: Lotus Emira revealed, in Australia July 2022 with AMG and Toyota power
Said V6 Emira First Edition is $184,990 in Australia, which gives a pretty good idea of what to expect regarding local four-cylinder pricing. From there, more affordable versions with both engines will follow.
The 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition is powered by a version of the Mercedes-AMG 2.0-litre M139 turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 268kW of power (360bhp).
This is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters and power is sent to the rear wheels.
A variation of this engine is used in the Mercedes-AMG A45 and it’s currently the world’s most powerful 2.0-litre engine homologated for road use, offering up to 155kW per litre.
The exhaust fitted to the four-cylinder Emira First Edition has been designed by Lotus and is unique to the four-cylinder sports car.
“It’s a bespoke rear-wheel drive variant of the transmission developed by Lotus in collaboration with AMG,” said Lotus director vehicle attributes Gavan Kershaw in regard to the standard eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
“On top of that, the gearshift strategy has been defined by the Hethel team as part of the car’s performance attributes.”
Four option packages will be standard on the Emira First Edition. They include:
- Lower Black Pack
- Front bumper air blades
- Front splitter
- Side sills
- Rear diffuser
- Lotus Drivers Pack
- Tour or Sport suspension
- Goodyear Eagle F1 or Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres
- Track Mode ESP
- Track mode-related content
- Design Pack
- Privacy glass
- Sports pedals
- Black alcantara headliner
- Emira-branded floor mats
- Convenience Pack
- Front parking sensors
- Reversing camera
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Auto-dimming side mirrors
- Rear luggage storage net
Lotus has confirmed the Emira First Edition will ride on 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, behind which hide two-piece brake discs and Lotus-branded brake calipers. The calipers can be painted in red, black, yellow, or silver.
Other exterior details include a unique engine bay cover, C-pillar badging, LED lights all around, a titanium exhaust tip, headed power-folding side mirrors and rear parking sensors.
Inside there are heated seats with 12-way power adjustability, driver seat memory, climate control, cruise control, keyless entry and start, selectable drive modes and factory satellite navigation are all standard, along with DAB+ digital radio and a 340W sound system.
There’s also a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a 12.3-inch digital drivers display.
The interior can be had in seven different colours including red, black, grey and tan Nappa leather, as well as black Alcantara with red, yellow or grey stitching. There are also satin chrome trim finishers, white ambient lighting and Lotus-branded sill kick plates.
The 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition is available in the following exterior paint colours:
- Seneca Blue
- Magma Red
- Hethel Yellow
- Dark Verdant
- Shadow Grey
- Nimbus Grey
Lotus had previously confirmed there are more paint colours to follow when the non-First Edition range arrives.
What’s the Lotus Emira?
The new Emira is built on the Lotus Sports Car Architecture announced earlier in 2021.
It’s a lightweight bonded aluminium structure, wrapped in a body inspired by the all-electric Evija (with a hint of Maserati MC20 and McLaren Artura about it, too).
Measuring up at 4412mm long, 1895mm wide and 1225mm tall, with a 2575mm wheelbase, the Emira is 100mm shorter than a Porsche 911, but 43mm wider with a 35mm longer wheelbase.
Lotus is targeting a kerb weight of 1405kg in the car’s lightest form, around 30kg less than a Porsche 718 Cayman GTS with a dual-clutch transmission.
Rather than a more modern electric power steering system, the Emira uses a hydraulic steering system designed to deliver better feedback to the driver.
There are two suspension tunes on offer: Tour, designed for everyday road use, and Sports, which is fairly self-explanatory and is part of the Lotus Drivers Pack.
Not only is the Emira a sharp looker, the body is clever.
Lotus says it creates passive downforce that’s balanced over both axles, while that gaping air intake ahead of the rear wheel arch feeds cool air into the hungry mid-mounted engine.
There are no active aerodynamics, and no over-the-top spoilers here.
Inside, this is a strict two-seater, but Lotus has focused on making it a comfortable, practical space.
The driver’s seat is four-way power adjustable, and Lotus says the glasshouse has been designed to create good all-round visibility for daily driving.
There’s 208L of space behind the seats, and a further 151L in a boot behind the engine.
Lotus says the doors will swallow 500ml bottles, and there’s USB and 12V connectivity. A 10-speaker sound system is available from British brand Uni-Q.
There are some classic Lotus touches – like the exposed linkage on manual-equipped cars, and the compact steering wheel.
Lotus will offer the Emira with a suite of adaptive driver aids.
Adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, driver fatigue monitoring, road sign information, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lanechange assist will all be offered.
The car will also pack keyless entry and start, rain-sensing wipers, power folding mirrors, rear parking sensors (front are optional), auto-dimming rear-view mirror, curtain airbags, and launch control.
