EMIRA
“IT’LL BE A RIVAL TO THE BOXSTER, OR IN AMERICA TO THE LOWER RUNGS OF CORVETTE, BECAUSE IT’S GOING ON SALE WORLDWIDE. THAT’S A BOLD AMBITION”
The new Lotus Emira is propelled entirely by little explosions. It isn’t even a hybrid. That’s not because Lotus is incapable of something electrified, or dragging its feet. Next year there will be a “lifestyle product” (aka crossover) that’s all-electric. In 2025 an electric sports car, a co-operation with Alpine. So the Emira, by having only a petrol engine, surely qualifies as an instant classic. Just as well it looks so good.
It’s a mid-engined two-seater. Lotus has done plenty of those. But it doesn’t quite replace any of them, even though the Elise, Exige and Evora have lately shuffled off this mortal coil. It’s meant to be usable every day. But not, we hope, an everyday thing. Still special. Starting at under £60,000, it’ll be a rival to the Boxster, or in America to the lower rungs of Corvette, because it’s going on sale worldwide. That’s a bold ambition.
Emira deliveries don’t start until next year, beginning as
