Everything about the 2022 Lotus Emira

Everything about the 2022 Lotus Emira

The last internal-combustion-powered car Lotus will ever build, the Emira presents a glimpse at the company's high-tech, high-quality vision for the future.

Lotus released its final internal combustion engine -powered car is many things: Thanks to its V-6; and an upgrade for the company, in terms of what it offers customers.The Emira will be a car of many engines, with either Lotus’ tried-and-tested 3.5-liter supercharged V-6 or a Lotus-engineered AMG-sourced 2.0-liter turbo-four sitting in the middle. Power outputs will range from 360 to 400 hp; torque will peak at 317 lb-ft. Zero to 100km/h will happen in less than 4.5 seconds. Lotus is also offering the Emira with a selection of manual, automatic, and DCT gearboxes.

“Weight is always key to us,” Lotus Director of Attribute and Product Integrity Gavan Kershaw says. “But with the Emira, we had to see a step change in quality. We wanted to improve the daily-life usage. So the amount of storage and how you store things, the screen technology, the connectivity. But also, build quality, build process, squeaks, rattles, all of those little things that can distract from the pleasure of owning the car rather than add to it.” The Lotus Emira in its lightest form will tips the scale at 1405 kilograms.

In order to have a better built, better kitted-out car, you need to add weight. On the kit front, Emira comes with the modern conveniences you’d expect… though perhaps not in a Lotus. Things like 12-way adjustable seats; a suite of active safety tech; a super plush KEF audio set up (KEF’s first automotive hook-up); Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; USB ports; useable storage space, including 7.3 cubic feet of space behind the seats, a 5.3-cubic-foot trunk, useful door bins, and trinket slots; a 10.25-inch touch screen infotainment display; a 12.3 inch TFT instrument panel; and so on.

The Emira is more practical than what’s come before. It also comes with something to keep drivers not only comfy, but perky too. “A friend of mine bought an Evora and loved the car, but phoned me up to rant at me that there’s no cupholder. And he said, ‘Just because I do the occasional track day doesn’t mean I never drink coffee. Where’s the cupholder?’ So, there’s two for him.”

Lotus added that the Emira will be its “most accomplished road car ever.” A bold claim, but one it should be able to back up. The Emira will be built at a new facility at Hethel, its chassis assembled a few miles down the road, then merged with the rest of the car back at HQ. To ensure build quality is up to snuff, robots will be doing the painting. There’s a semi-automated body assembly system, and automated guided vehicles to transport cars around the site. It’s not all robot all the time; it’ll still be “Handmade in Hethel.”

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