Wednesday 5th March

Finally: 400hp Lotus Emira Turbo SE on sale in UK

With significantly more power, is this the four-cylinder Emira we've been waiting for?

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Remember the Lotus Emira Turbo SE? Announced at the end of last year, it sounded properly exciting: more power from the AMG 2.0-litre turbo, a standard Driver’s Pack, and a smart new look leaning into the heritage (think Excel, Elan, Europa) of a Turbo SE-badged Lotus. Only trouble was that it wasn’t being offered to UK customers. Well, it hasn’t taken long for Lotus to see the error of its ways; the Emira Turbo SE is now officially on sale in the UK. 

It’s part of a wider range revamp for what is still set to be Hethel’s final purely combustion sports car. The First Editions are done (at last), and with 10,000 Emiras now produced, the line-up will comprise Turbo SE and V6. The SE replaces the 360hp i4 model, now with 400hp. It’s the fastest Emira available, in fact, with a 0-60mph time of just four seconds and a 180mph top speed. The V6 continues unchanged as the purist’s choice with a standard six-speed manual (a torque converter remains optional). 

Standard kit for the Turbo SE over here mirrors what was introduced for other markets, the Drivers Pack including launch control, cross-drilled and ventilated discs plus ‘Sports suspension settings’; which doesn’t sound ideal given how stiffly suspended the last i4 we drove was - but the configurator shows SE customers will be able to choose between that or a Tour setup. The 20-inch Zinc Grey v-spoke wheels are also bespoke to the SE.  

Lotus reckons that the new 2.0-litre offers ‘enhanced levels of performance and design whilst building on the attributes the automotive world has come to expect, including its impressive supercar-like appearance, striking lines and thrilling dynamic performance, delivering a unique blend of ride and handling plus outstanding aerodynamics.’ Hopefully the SE is the model that finally fulfills the potential of the AMG powertrain - we look forward to finding out. For now, both 2.0- and 3.5-litre Emiras are available to order, with cars expected in showrooms next month. The Turbo SE is from £89,500, the V6 from £92,500; might be a good time to do a deal on those Emiras already in the classifieds, then… 

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• 2023 Lotus Emira i4 First Edition | PH Review
• 2024 Lotus Emeya | PH Review

[Water Fairy]

Not much difference in price between the 2.0 and the V6. Wonder what the weight difference is, if any?

I like the look of the red one.

[X27]

£90k! **blinks repeatedly **

[dukebox9reg]

Picture 6 is lovely. Looks a little boring in solid red.
4 pot should never be quicker than a V6. Cant they wind it up more or limited by the gearbox?

[Vee12V]

Have they fixed the lousy DCT yet?

[EmailAddress]

On the road these really are both subtle, and stunning at the same time.

[MrGeoff]

What a great looking car, proportions and styling look spot on without being over the top.

[theicemario]

Looks so right in those bright colours on silver wheels

Would love to see more of these on the roads but I can't imagine too many will be taking the plunge with it being so much more money than a 718

[leglessAlex]

Vee12V said:

Have they fixed the lousy DCT yet?

There was an update some time ago, I think?

This is good news, although it’s a shame it’s taken them so long. I wish them all the best, but it’s a tough time to be selling a pretty expensive car. Not expensive in relative terms, but in absolute terms…

[David87]

World record for longest run of "first edition" of anything ever?

I do like these, but there seems to have been so much bad press out there that I'd be a bit scared to take the plunge. Shame, as none of that bad press has really been about the way it drives or looks.

[FlukePlay]

It's a beautiful looking car I must say...very well proportioned, not too aggressive but the 4 pot seems to devalue it in my opinion. As for the build quality and customer service issues, these really need to be put right. Anybody on PH got one?

[Quickmoose]

s'funny situation this, owned by the Chinese for a while now, but in so many ways, so very quintessentially British.
Beautiful, understated and to all accounts a handling tour-de-force
Yet it is still a nearly car, what with it's powertrain and quality issues...bought by the braver more cerebral buyer...because for it's faults it somehow it retains desirability and has character to overcome.

Correct the faults and you end up being quintessentially German, boring and ubiquitous.

I love seeing these on the road, a rare sight.
But I'm not brave and despite being born in Dorset, turns out I'm German

[Vee12V]

leglessAlex said:

There was an update some time ago, I think?

If so, how have they not communicated this? Classic Lotus... Anyone that can confirm?

[F.C.]

That AMG lump is a peach and knowing how Lotus likes to increase power with each “new” edition it’ll keep them busy for years, even if they increase power by 20hp each time, these motors are good for 600+ bhp so ideal for tweaking each variant.
I’d take the four pot over the six any day

[oedipus]

Strange that on their website you can configure the Evija but the Emira only shows current stock

[theicemario]

oedipus said:

Strange that on their website you can configure the Evija but the Emira only shows current stock

https://www.lotuscars.com/en-GB/configurator/emira/emira-turbo-se

[IMI A]

I think its a shame re price point. If you look at new sports cars when launched in Japan or US they're invariably at an unbelievable price point for their home markets. I remember in 2008 when Nissan launched its then new GTR it was something like £30k brand new in Japan. Same with Corvette the new ZR1 is $175,000 in its home market and competing with 750s and 296 GTB at 3x the price. I thought these were going to be £50k or £60k? At £90k to £100k they'll all buy Porsche. Boring but true.

[Frimley111R]

Water Fairy said:

Not much difference in price between the 2.0 and the V6. Wonder what the weight difference is, if any?

I like the look of the red one.

I think the i4 with its heavier gearbox is about the same IIRC

[Rusty Old-Banger]

F.C. said:

That AMG lump is a peach and knowing how Lotus likes to increase power with each “new” edition it’ll keep them busy for years, even if they increase power by 20hp each time, these motors are good for 600+ bhp so ideal for tweaking each variant.
I’d take the four pot over the six any day

Are they really good for that level of power? That is very, very impressive.

[Frimley111R]

IMI A said:

I think its a shame re price point. If you look at new sports cars when launched in Japan or US they're invariably at an unbelievable price point for their home markets. I remember in 2008 when Nissan launched its then new GTR it was something like £30k brand new in Japan. Same with Corvette the new ZR1 is $175,000 in its home market and competing with 750s and 296 GTB at 3x the price. I thought these were going to be £50k or £60k? At £90k to £100k they'll all buy Porsche. Boring but true.

Well 10,000 people didn't! Don't forget that a Renault Megane is over £40k these days. It's not expensive for its market. IIRC £60k was before it was launched but all cars from everyone had quite a bump in prices shortly after.

[Jon_S_Rally]

Regardless of the issues, the car in the first image; in bright red with silver wheels looks stunning.

I appreciate it's a digital image but, if it looks anything like that in real life, there can't be many better looking new cars out there. It makes the stuff coming out of Ferrari and Lamborghini right now look clumsy and very, very over-styled.