Lotus Australia has revealed pricing for the full Emira sports car range, which is on track to arrive Down Under in the middle of 2022.
The first cars to touch down will be the V6 First Edition, followed by an AMG-sourced four-cylinder in the second quarter of 2023.
Pricing will kick off at $155,990 before on-road costs for the Emira four-cylinder DCT, jumping to $169,990 before on-roads for the base V6 manual, and $173,990 before on-roads for the V6 automatic.
The four-cylinder First Edition is priced at $177,990 before on-roads, and the Emira V6 First Edition is listed at $184,990 before on-roads.
On paper, the base four-cylinder goes head-to-head with the Porsche 718 Cayman S ($144,080 before on-roads), while the higher-end V6 aligns more closely with the 718 Cayman GTS ($180,490 before on-roads).
Demand for the Emira has been strong. Lotus says the First Edition V6 is sold out, and 70 per cent of the First Edition four-cylinder allocation has been spoken for.
The company also says it’s accepted deposits for the entry-level four-cylinder model, although it hasn’t said how many.
The standard V6 engine makes 298kW of power and 420Nm with the six-speed manual, or 430Nm with the optional six-speed automatic and paddle shifters.
The inline-four is powered by a version of the Mercedes-AMG 2.0-litre M139 turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 268kW of power.
It’s shared with the Mercedes-AMG A45, and is exclusively mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission sending power to the rear wheels.
2023 Lotus Emira pricing
- Lotus Emira four-cylinder DCT: $155,990
- Lotus Emira V6 manual: $169,990
- Lotus Emira V6 automatic: $173,990
- Lotus Emira four-cylinder First Edition: $177,990
- Lotus Emira V6 First Edition: $184,990
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Standard equipment for the base Emira range hasn’t been confirmed, but the First Edition will ride on 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, behind which hide two-piece brake calipers and Lotus-branded calipers.
Heated seats with power adjustability, climate control, cruise control, keyless entry and start, and factory satellite navigation are all standard, along with a 340W sound system.
Seven interior combinations are available: four Nappa leather and three Alcantara finishes.
Five exterior finishes will be available on the First Edition, with more to follow when the non-Launch Edition range arrives.
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
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.
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.
MORE: Everything Lotus Emira
