The Emira is a junior supercar with all the thrills and headturning characteristics found in the greatest Lotus cars , but at the same time is an everyday sports car that ’ s high on comfort and functionality , packed with the latest technology demanded by the discerning driver .”
Lotus Emira in detail
The Emira is the first all-new Lotus sports car to be delivered under Vision80 , the strategic plan which is guiding the transformation of Lotus as it moves towards its 80th anniversary in 2028 . It is a truly global model , engineered to sell in all major markets around the world . Acting as a catalyst to further enhance brand awareness globally , it ’ s spearheading the repositioning and expansion of the Lotus retail network ahead of the arrival of a family of new vehicles .
Pronounced ‘ Eh-meer-ah ’, the word features in numerous ancient languages and often translates as ‘ commander ’ or ‘ leader ’. It ’ s highly appropriate as this is the exciting new sports car leading Lotus ’ last hurrah with internal combustion engines , before fully embracing electrification and a new era for the brand later in the decade .
Exterior design : delivering exotic supercar appeal in the sports car segment
The Emira is the first Lotus sports car to carry the new design language first showcased on the award-winning Evija hypercar . It ’ s a contemporary look with sculpted surfaces and technical detailing , delivering exotic supercar appeal in the sports car segment . A new and more premium approach for Lotus in terms of forms and materials , it is also a leap forward in fit and finish .
Led by Russell Carr , Design Director , Lotus , the creative team has succeeded in designing something beautiful , timeless , memorable , modern and that looks like a Lotus . Its optimised proportions and athletic shrink-wrapped body visually describe Lotus ’ legendary agile driving characteristics .
Russell commented : “ The Emira captures the visual drama of an exotic supercar , with great proportions , wide footprint and a cabin that sits low down between muscular haunches . Add in that it ’ s practical enough to be useable every day , of the highest quality and accessibly priced , and it ’ s undoubtedly a compelling and seductive alternative to the existing sports car competition . The Emira is re-introducing our brand to a new global audience while still offering all the thrills to engage the most ardent driving enthusiast .”
The influence of the Lotus Evija is plain to see through the fluid surfaces and crisp feature lines . The lineage is even more obvious on the prominent leading edge of the bonnet , shrinkwrapped cabin that ’ s tapered to the rear , sculpted doors and vents cut into the muscular rear haunches . The unique-in-class exit vents , integrated into the bonnet to guide airflow over the car and optimise aerodynamics , are also derived from the Evija .
Vertical all-LED headlamps are standard across the range , with a wing-inspired twin blade design also familiar from the Lotus hypercar . The bonnet houses the current iteration of the iconic Lotus roundel , its first appearance on a new Lotus sports car and slightly larger than on previous models .
Looking at the Emira in profile , the sculpted section cut into the door leads air flow towards the intake ahead of the rear wheel . This serves a dual purpose , providing air for the engine but also to cool it . The Emira name badge is visible from the side , integrated into the C-pillar . All wheels are 20-inches in diameter ; as standard they will be fitted with a Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tyre , while a Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 is a cost option available in conjunction with the Lotus Drivers Pack . Both tyres have been specially developed for the Emira by their manufacturer .
At the rear , the Lotus wordmark dominates the integrated bumper , above a body coloured panel that ’ s clearly inspired by the rear of the Evija . At each end is an exit vent for air from the wheel arch . Each corner has a flat C-shaped LED light cluster linked by a slimline high-level brake light . Below is a black section housing twin exhaust pipes either side of the number plate and with an air diffuser underneath to aid downforce .
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