Due on sale next year, the 2022 Lotus Emira has been revealed ahead of its global debut at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed (8-11 July). Based on the company’s new ‘Sports Car Architecture’ platform, the Emira will be the brand’s last petrol-powered car before a new all-electric Lotus sports car arrives within the next few years. Available with two engine options, two transmission options and a new range of technological equipment, the Lotus Emira promises to be ‘the most accomplished Lotus ever made’. It’s due in Australia from July 2022.
Matt Windle, Managing Director, Lotus Cars commented: “The Emira is a game-changer for Lotus. It stands as a beacon of everything we have achieved to date in the transformation of the business, the embodiment of our progress. It is a highly significant milestone on our path to becoming a truly global performance car brand.”
The 2022 Lotus Emira is the first of the brand’s cars to carry the new design language that first debuted on the 1,500kW Evija electric supercar concept from 2019. According to the company, it showcases a contemporary look with sculpted surfaces and technical detailing, delivering exotic supercar appeal in the sports car segment. LED front and rear lighting is standard on all Emiras, while 20-inch wheels are also standard kit with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tyres – though Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres will be optional.
The 2022 Lotus Emira is based on the company’s new ‘Sports Car Architecture’ that will underpin a lot of the company’s future products. Measuring 4,412mm long, 1,895mm wide, 1,225mm high and with a wheelbase of 2,575mm, the Emira is slightly larger than the Evora that it replaces – it measures 4,385mm long, 1,845mm wide, 1,229mm all and features the same 2,575mm long wheelbase. Weighing in at 1,405kg, the Emira only weighs 10kg more than the Evora than it replaces – that’s despite featuring a lot more standard technology.
The 2022 Lotus Emira has two chassis and suspension settings. ‘Tour’ mode is tuned for every day use delivering ‘the optimum blend of Lotus dynamic performance and handling with a more comfortable ride’. ‘Sports’ is available with the optional Lotus Drivers Pack and will offer stiffer suspension for ‘enhanced dynamic capability’.
Unusually, two engine options will be available with the 2022 Lotus Emira. The entry-level engine will be a 268kW 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that also features in the Mercedes-AMG range. Optionally available will be a 298kW supercharged 3.5-litre Toyota V6 – which used to be in the Camry but still features in the Kluger – that’s perviously been offered in the Evora and Exige. Manual, automatic and even dual-clutch automatic transmissions will be available.
Performance figures are yet to be fully disclosed, though all variants sprint from 0-100km/h in ‘less than 4.5-seconds’ and a top speed of ‘up to’ 290km/h, which makes the Emira quite fast. Fuel consumption is yet to be announced, though emissions start below 180g/km of CO2.
While the drivetrain is new for Lotus, the interior of the 2022 Lotus Emira is a big step forward for the brand with a new design, a massive step up in quality and yet, as you’d expect from Lotus, a clear focus on the driver experience. Unlike the Evora, just two seats will be available on the Emira, and four-way electric adjustment will be standard – 12-way electric adjustment for both the driver and passenger will be optional. Behind the seats is a 208-litre storage space and to the rear of the engine is a 151L space.
Available features on the 2022 Lotus Emira include keyless entry and start, cruise control, auto lights and wipers, electric-folding mirrors, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with a 12.3-inch driver’s display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10-speaker sound system, front and rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming rear mirror, curtain airbags, launch control and a stolen vehicle tracker.
Active safety tech includes auto emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, driver fatigue monitoring, road sign recognition, a speed limiter, lane departure warning, car cross-traffic alert and lane change assist.
Available colours will include ‘Hethel Yellow’, ‘Shadow Grey’, ‘Magma Red’, ‘Nimbus Grey’, ‘Dark Verdant’ and the ‘Seneca Blue’ featured in the launch photos. Interior options will include black, red, grey and tan nappa leather, as well as black suede with either grey, red or yellow stitching. Five wheel choices will also be available, and four brake caliper colours as well.
The 2022 Lotus Emira is due on sale in Australia in July 2022. Lotus Cars Australia is yet to announce pricing but it starts at £60,000 (around A$110,000 at current conversion rates) in the UK.
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