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| Photo Credit: Lotus Cars USA |
Though often spoken after brand names such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche or even McLaren, Lotus Cars still stimulates the rise of adrenaline with lightweight, well-handling machines. A sports car name spawned by a legendary Formula 1 team owner and engineer Colin Chapman, Lotus has survived the loss of their founder back in 1982, the turbulence of multiple ownership arrangements and the change of the overall automotive sector before accounting for the British sports car marque’s largely modest existence in the flashy vehicle segment. Wanting to do more than just simply survive in the modern industry, Lotus wants to define itself in a personality-heavily high-performance sports car marketplace.
The all-electric Evija brought eyes onto Lotus in 2019 with a limited production run of 130 vehicles recently commencing. Sending a message for the future, the car builder’s present focus in reshaping their brand’s lineup will be led by the new Lotus Emira.
Another production Lotus following the naming convention of a word starting with the letter ‘E’, the Emira also maintains the tradition of being a compact, mid-engined design. Constructed on a re-engineered chassis utilizing a bonded extruded aluminum technology, the Lotus Emira is developed as a solid handling, strong performing car with an appreciation for everyday driving dynamics.
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| Photo Credit: Lotus Cars USA |
The outer shell of the new Lotus integrates several styling characteristics of the Evija with some subtlety. Those touches include prominent ducts found at the side of the Emira and positioned beside the long, vertical LED headlights. Without using any active aerodynamic technology in order to create a simple shape company chief aerodynamicist described as “that unique harmony of natural forces that is ‘Lotus dynamics– a sprinkling of magic dust that creates a thrilling driving experience that’s unrivalled in the automotive world.”, the Lotus Emira’s airflow is optimized using a principle called passive downforce.
Lotus’ renowned expertise in chassis and suspension tuning is on full display for the vehicle based on a 2,575 (101.38-inch) wheelbase. An available Lotus Drivers Pack provides a sport-themed ride to drivers with a stiffer suspension. Attached to 20-inch wheels, buyers of the Lotus Emira could select Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tires or optional Michelin Sport Cup 2 rubber for road-holding athleticism. The Emira’s low center of gravity and an overall vehicle weight of 1,405 kilograms (3097.5 pounds) reinforces the nimble handling of the responsive driving experience.
An intimidate, two-passenger interior integrated into the center of the Lotus Emira is a cockpit that marries many themes. Described by Lotus as the merging of ‘technology and soul’, the cabin of the sports car contains quality materials and a layout adhering to classic performance vehicle ergonomics. A flat-bottom steering wheel with metallic spokes, raised gear shifter and a low seating position complements the timeless approach to sporty driving. However, the Lotus Emira is also well-grounded in the modern premium class with a slew of features. A 10.25-inch center-mounted touchscreen, electric power seats with up to 12-way adjustability, cruise control and a 10-speaker KEF audio system using Uni-Q technology is available to buyers. The Lotus Emira is also offered with an Advanced Driver Assistance System promoting safer driving with technology such as adaptive cruise control and fatigue alert.
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| Photo Credit: Lotus Cars USA |
Everyday driving dynamics is strongly emphasized with the mid-engined sports car. Lotus shows off a 208-liter storage space behind the seats and 151 liters behind the engine (advertised as large enough for a set of golf clubs) are designed into Emira’s shape. The interior also features a wide assortment of smaller storage solutions for a mobile phone or water bottles.
The race cars and production cars produced by Lotus have always reflected the science of finding performance from a vehicle shape beyond the strength of an engine. While this appears to remain the case with the Lotus Emira, the mid-engined sports car will boast the choice of two potent powerplants. The long-running, Toyota-derived 3.5-liter supercharged V-6 engine will carryover from the Evora as the highest output tuned to produce 400 horsepower. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from Mercedes-AMG is a new addition to Lotus forecasted to generate at least 360 horsepower. Engine power for the Lotus Emira will be accompanied by the selection of three gearbox options. A manual, automatic and dual-clutch transmission will be included on the sports car model lineup.
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| Photo Credit: Lotus Cars USA |
The Lotus Emira will go on sale in the United Kingdom at a starting price below £60,000 (converting to $103,343 Canadian).
Derived from the word Amira translating from Arabic and Hindi to mean princess or leader, Emira has also been associated for meaning commander. In whichever way Emira translates, Lotus wants their new sports car to be the paradigm for a British-based exotic car builder connecting with the present and adapted to the future. Lotus Cars has initiated a plan they call Vision80 that seeks to expand reputation and dealer network for the brand ahead of its 80th anniversary in 2028.
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