Last Internal Combustion Engine Sports Car from Lotus: Turbo SE Model
Notable Enhancements in the Latest Offering: Lotus Emira Turbo SE - the Last Traditional Sports Car from the Brand
In a surprising move, Lotus has boosted the performance of its final internal combustion engine model, the Emira, to outmatch the V6 version. The Emira Turbo SE now delivers 294 kW/400 PS, a feat previously achieved only by the 3.5-liter engine. This isn't the only paradox surrounding this sports car.
AMG's supply of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to Lotus has put customers in a predicament, with the Emira, the last sports car from the British manufacturer featuring an internal combustion engine, standing out. The engine, now capable of 400 horsepower, outperforms the V6 variant in terms of power and fuel efficiency, while being 3,000 euros cheaper at 109,490 euros.
The acronym "SE" historically signified "Special Equipment" at Lotus, indicating optional special features. The Emira Turbo SE carries this acronym, signifying that the "Lotus Drivers Pack" is part of its standard equipment. This includes a carefully adjusted sports suspension, reinforced, cross-drilled, and ventilated brake discs, and launch control, among other features.
More Power, Faster Than Ever
Compared to the First Edition of the Emira released in 2022, the four-cylinder engine, known as the AMG M139, delivers 40 additional horsepower and has a 50 Newton-meter higher torque. The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission also hails from Swabia. This setup propels the Emira Turbo SE from 0 to 100 km/h in 4 seconds and to a top speed of 291 km/h, a 16 km/h increase over the previous version.
During our test drive in Sweden, around Gothenburg and on the racetrack at Falkenberg Motorbana, 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 aerodynamically in front of the windshield, making it difficult to ascertain where it ends behind the steering wheel.
Appreciable Lane Change Sensation
The steering is direct and provides an abundance of feedback, such that even a lane change on the highway can be felt in the steering wheel. What ensures precise handling on the racetrack can also feel rather unnerving during long drives, as the Emira tends to follow lane markings and road unevenness closely, almost like a lane-keeping assistant, albeit one that occasionally veers out of lane.
Still, at high speeds, the Briton is without doubt. At 200 km/h, aerodynamics generate 55 kilograms of downforce, a condition that normal passenger cars typically experience lift, leading to decreasing stability. The acoustic backdrop is quite commendable given the small engine displacement for a sports car, offering a full-bodied, resonant sound to accompany the powerful acceleration. Those who adhere to the speed limit on the highway can keep the fuel consumption below ten liters.
Stable Braking Capabilities
The Emira Turbo SE is easy to control on the racetrack for amateurs. The brakes remain stable even after several fast laps. Three driving modes - Touring, Sport, and Track - allow for adjustment of how much the electronic driving aids should support the driver, enabling the sports car to be adapted to increasing experience levels.
It remains to be seen for whom the Emira V6 is still a consideration. According to Lotus, the larger sibling is more track-focused. Purists can opt for a classic manual transmission, an option not available in the turbo model. Consequently, enthusiasts of the latter should enjoy the semi-automatic mode via steering wheel paddles, as Lotus may eventually discontinue the Emira and focus solely on electric vehicles, rendering an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission obsolete.
Technical Specifications
- Class: Compact 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 Euro
Sources: ntv.de, Martin Westerhoff, sp-x
- Lotus
- Sports Cars
- Compact Class
The manufacturing of the Emira Turbo SE, the final traditional sports car from Lotus featuring a finance-friendly price, comprises materials of various headings, except that of the sports car itself. The innovative technology incorporated in the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, enabled by partnerships like that with AMG, significantly enhances the lifestyle experience for Lotus enthusiasts.
