Lotus Emira Review

Lotus ended its combustion story with the car it should have built a decade ago. The Emira keeps the bonded aluminium chassis philosophy and the mid-engined layout, and in V6 form uses the supercharged 3.5 litre Toyota unit making 400 horsepower with a six-speed manual gearbox and an exposed linkage you can watch move. The steering is hydraulically assisted, which in 2024 is nearly extinct and is the single best thing about driving it.

Body control and ride quality are the traditional Lotus miracle, firm and supple at the same time. The change is inside, where an actual interior with proper seats, working switchgear and a usable screen replaces the parts-bin misery of the Elise and Evora. Build quality and the dealer network are the risks, and Lotus has a long history of both being weak, even though the engine itself is a famously durable Toyota. Depreciation has been steep. Ownership is a leap of faith on a car worth taking it for.