Lotus Emira 2022: AMG power and a manual option adorn marque’s last ICE sports car

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British manufacturer Lotus has unveiled its latest mid-engined sports known as the Emira which weaves a link between the brand’s past and its future.

The Emira will be the last combustion-engined sports car from the marque and is pitching itself as a more friendly car to drive every day that doesn’t sacrifice on outright performance.

Lotus has partnered with Mercedes-AMG to offer a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine option this generation which has been tweaked specifically with a new intake and exhaust to suit the Emira.

The inline-four is mounted transversely and sends power directly to the rear wheels but buyers will still have the option of selecting Lotus’ iconic 3.5L supercharged V6 engine if they wish.

Lotus has been coy about the exact details but said the Emira will be available with a manual, torque converter automatic and dual-clutch transmission, with the former being especially good news for purists. 

The AMG sourced four-cylinder is naturally paired with the same dual-clutch as found in the A45, while the automatic and manual transmissions appear to be carried over from Lotus’ existing arsenal. 

Engine outputs are said to range between 268kW and 298kW, with maximum torque rated at 430Nm. The Emira is said to reach 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds and will keep going until it maxes out at 290km/h.

Sitting upon a new bonded aluminium chassis the Emira attempts to remain true to its lightweight roots with a total weight of 1,405kg, which is only slightly heavier than an Evora but almost 300kg more than the outgoing Exige. 

The outer appearance is clearly inspired by the all-electric Evija with the appearance said to more closely emulate the look of an exotic supercar with a wide footprint and deep vents cut into either side.

The resemblance is most clear in the front headlights which are slim LED units that lead up to the two-tone roof and tail towards the ear where the Emira strongly resembles the outgoing Evora.

Sitting at each corner are 20-inch alloy wheels that are wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport but gripper Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 can be fitted as a cost option. 

Moving inside the interior has been given a makeover with no bare aluminium surfaces to be found this time around.

Designers have said the Emira has a higher level of quality materials in the cabin and, critically for a modern car, now features an abundance of technology.

This includes a new 10.25-inch centre touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability baked in, matched with a larger 12.3-inch digital driver’s display.

Lotus has fitted a series of luxury touches such as 12-way electrically adjustable seats, 10-speaker audio system and a flat bottomed steering wheel.

Storage space has been increased dramatically, with space to store a 500ml bottle in the doors, 208 litres of space behind the front seats and a boot measuring 151 litres that’s big enough to fit the industry-standard measuring stick of a normal set of golf clubs.

The Emira will go on sale in the UK next year with prices starting at £60,000 (AUD$110,700) and will make it to Australia by July 2022, and while exact Australian pricing has yet to be confirmed, expressions of interest are now open.

Lotus will showcase the Emira at the Goodwood Festival of Speed which begins on July 8.