Lotus launches 400hp Emira Turbo SE
2.0-litre four-cylinder gets V6-rivalling power - but not for us just yet
Lotus had always said that the First Edition Emiras wouldn’t last forever (the clue’s in the name and all that), and now we know what a regular production lineup might look like. In ‘select countries across Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa’, the range now comprises the 360hp AMG-engined four-cylinder (dubbed Emira Turbo) and 400hp 3.5 supercharged (or Emira V6) we’re familiar with - plus a new Turbo SE.
Resurrecting a name familiar from Esprits, Europas, Excels and so on, the Turbo SE takes power from the 2.0-litre engine to a V6-matching 400hp. Torque is now rated at 353lb ft, up from 332, said to make the SE the fastest Emira to date. It always felt a close run thing in terms of pace between 2.0 and 3.5, particularly thanks to the short ratios and quick shifts of the former’s eight-speed DCT (which remains in the SE), and now we have it confirmed by Lotus. The official claims are 0-62mph in 4.0 seconds, and a top speed of 180mph, against the V6’s 4.3 seconds and 180mph for the manual. Presumably the idea is that the V6 manual will appeal to the traditional sports car crowd, with the Turbo SE available for those wanting outright speed.
This range refresh brings some kit changes, too, including the Vivid Red paint and new 20-inch wheel design seen on the Turbo here. The SE is the Zinc Grey car (also a new colour), which gets its own 20-inch forged rims, plus red calipers, black Lotus branding and Alcantara headlining. It also receives a ‘Lotus Drivers Pack’ as standard, with uprated brakes, launch control and ‘sports suspension settings.’ Check out the Michelin Cup 2s, too, which used to be for Sports chassis’d Emiras.
Interestingly, the V6 in the new range gets the same cross-drilled and ventilated discs, but the Touring suspension and the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport tyres. It sounds like the choice of Tour or Sports chassis that was available is being ditched in favour of offering the larger engine with the manual gearbox and only the more relaxed setup alongside a more focused, faster 2.0-litre SE. With a 360hp entry point remaining. It would certainly help differentiate a range that felt quite similar, though we can only speculate for now.
Dan Balmer, Lotus President and CEO for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa - imagine the size of that email signature - said: “We are thrilled to announce the addition of new variants to the award winning Emira, one of the most successful Lotus models to date. In 2025, the Emira range will extend to meet wider customer needs while retaining the brand’s DNA and driving dynamics Lotus is renowned for.”
With a refresh taking place in America also, which has seen the 2.0-litre First Edition upped to SE power and torque, the UK will surely get its own Emira update soon enough. We’ll bring you that as soon as it’s announced, but if it’s now or never for an Emira there are 49 for sale in the PH classifieds, priced from £60k. This yellow manual V6 looks great, as does this Touring-spec 2.0, as does this Atlantic Blue over red example, channelling its inner Essex Turbo. They all do, really. But a 400hp 2.0-litre does sound worth waiting for…
No mention here but I can't help thinking Mr Chapman would have been having words on the weight differences and net gains speed by lightness rather than cylinder count.
Looks like a backward step and my money would not be going in this if it's released in the UK.
But they now appear to have two completely different engines with the same power output, so double the design,development and homologation costs.
The idea probably sounded good, but now it just looks confused.
Exige V6 manual or 4cyl auto, not a lot to be confused about.
Cayman 718 2.5 GTS auto (4 cyl) 0-60 4.3 seconds
4.0 GTS manual (6 cyl) 0-60 4.5 seconds
Having 2 engines with similar BHP and performance is nothing new
And if Lotus have spent money on homologation and design development to give punters a choice then an even bigger slap on the back to them, we should be even more grateful
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