For the first time since the Evora arrived back in 2009, Lotus finally has a brand-new sports car. The 2022 Lotus Emira debuted last summer featuring either a supercharged V6 from the Evora or a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder sourced from Mercedes-AMG. Lotus already revealed the Emira V6 will pack 400 horsepower and up to 317 lb-ft with the manual (310 lb-ft with the automatic). The V6 First Edition is more expensive and will have special badging and a limited production number.
The best looking manual gearbox in the game
Full pricing for the four-cylinder car is not available yet, but Lotus did announce the price for the AMG-powered First Edition. The less powerful Emira First Edition costs $85,900, exactly $8,000 less than the comparable V6 car. That's because despite being one of the most powerful four-cylinder cars on sale, its 360 hp is 40 less than the supercharged model. Despite the British marque's bragging of it being the most powerful four-cylinder, in this state it falls short of the circa-400-hp outputs it achieves in the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45.
With the all-electric Type 132 SUV arriving later this month and positive first drive impressions for the Emira, Lotus has seen a 175 percent increase in inquiries for its new sports car. Opting for the First Edition adds special touches such a unique engine bay cover and C-pillar badging. Just like the V6 First Edition, the four-cylinder model gets more standard equipment like 20-inch forged wheels, Lower Black Pack, rear parking sensors, heated power-fold mirrors, heated 12-way power seats with memory, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a premium audio system.
The First Edition includes the Lotus Drivers Pack, which lets customers choose between Tour or Sport suspension with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport or Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. This version also gets the Design Pack, adding privacy glass, sport pedals, an Alcantara headliner, and the Convenience Pack, including front parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, and auto-dimming mirrors. Customers can choose six colors, including Seneca Blue, Magma Red, Hethel Yellow, Dark Verdant, Shadow Grey, and Nimbus Grey.
Unlike the V6, which comes with a choice of an automatic or manual transmission, the AMG-powered Emira gets an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic 'box sourced from Mercedes. This is the same transmission used by the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 only in a RWD application.
"It's a bespoke rear-wheel-drive variant of the transmission developed by Lotus in collaboration with AMG," said Gavan Kershaw, Director of Vehicle Attributes. "On top of that, the gearshift strategy has been defined by the Hethel team as part of the car's performance attributes. It is unique to the Emira and optimized for the best blend of outstanding driving engagement and performance, fuel consumption and emissions."
Lotus confirmed seven more colors will be available when the car arrives in early 2023.
Unfortunately even if you liked this vehicle, your chances of getting on are slim to none as every single model is spoken for, they say. So if you can't purchase this vehicle, then which vehicle should you get with so many great options?
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