Reviews
Lotus Emira Review: Brilliant, Flawed and Utterly Addictive
We spend a week with the 400 hp Lotus Emira to see whether the experience lives up to the numbers.
| 0–60 mph | 4.2s |
|---|---|
| Power | 400 hp |
| Top speed | 180 mph |
| Layout | RWD |
Every so often a car comes along that reminds you why driving can be a pleasure rather than a chore. The Lotus Emira is one of those cars, and we spent a week trying to find its limits.
Performance
With 400 horsepower on tap, the Emira dispatches the 0–60 mph sprint in 4.2s and presses on to a 180 mph top end. Yet the numbers matter less than how accessible the performance feels from behind the wheel.
On the road
Through a sequence of corners the Emira feels alert and trustworthy. Its RWD configuration delivers traction when you want it and adjustability when you ask for it, the kind of breadth that separates a great driver’s car from a merely fast one.
The best fast cars do not just go quickly — they make you want to go quickly again.
Living with it
Living with the Emira reveals a practical streak. It is comfortable enough for a long haul, the interior feels worth the money, and visibility and ergonomics have clearly been considered rather than ignored.
The verdict
The Lotus Emira is not flawless, but its flaws are the honest kind that come with focus. For the driver it was built for, it delivers exactly what it promises, and that is rarer than it should be.
