July car of the month: Lotus Emira

by Steven Perez

posted on July 30, 2024

The last gas-powered Lotus

Lotus has long held the hearts of driving enthusiasts as a specialist brand, with a pure focus on lightweight sports cars that trade more in agility than power. Though their cars have always been technically impressive in terms of handling, feel, and balance, the British automaker’s penchant for manual transmissions and minimalist interiors has been seen as somewhat traditional.

But now, Lotus is getting with the times and preparing for an all-electric lineup, for better or worse. They have one final petrol product, though: the Emira. The new Lotus Emira is the last non-electric Lotus, and that ought to mean something. So let’s look at Eugeniu’s 2024 Emira for our July car of the month.

2024 Lotus Emira

As Lotus’ final treat for gasoline purists, the Emira seems like a delicacy. This is the successor to the Evora GT, which has been the only Lotus sold in the US for some time. Compared to that car, and virtually every Lotus before it, the Emira is remarkably practical, well-appointed inside the cabin, and better equipped.

You can tell just by looking at it that this car is focused on performance. Its wedgy, mid-engined layout puts the driver in the middle of the action, and helps the Emira look like it slides through the air. It sits very low to the ground. The door handles sit flush with the body. Big side scoops direct air into the motor for cooling.

Eugeniu’s Emira is a First Edition, meaning it has a supercharged 3.5L V6 that does 400 horsepower. It has a six-speed manual transmission, and, crucially, hydraulic power steering instead of electric. The hydraulic steering is a big piece of the recipe for creating the feel and feedback Lotus has become famous for. By all accounts, the Emira’s refined balance and commitment to driver engagement is spot-on, as it should be with a Lotus.

The cabin is still minimal and lacks frivolous distractions, but the materials and design look far more upscale than previous Lotuses (Loti?). The shifter and ignition button grab the most attention, but a large touch screen and digital gauge cluster make the Emira feel modern. Two cup holders, storage bins in the doors, and storage room behind the seats may seem quite customary, but these conveniences have not always been present in past Lotus models.

Against Lotus tradition, the Emira is also offered with contemporary driver assistance features like lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automated emergency braking. Combined with the very pleasant interior, the Emira appears fairly livable for regular driving — an impressive trick for Lotus.

If you’re the type of person who’s into a well-balanced sports car, driving the Emira would surely be a special experience. There aren’t too many out there on the road, but you can hit up Eugeniu to test out his car in the DC area!

*Prices are subject to change

Steven Perez

Steven is an avid car guy and content maker at Turo. Between Golden State Warriors games he can be found getting lost somewhere in California.

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