Overview The 2026 Lotus Emira coupe is a modern take on the archetypal raw, essential sports car experience. Featuring a mid-engine layout with a choice of either a Toyota-based supercharged V-6 or an AMG-sourced turbocharged four-cylinder (both are good for 400 horsepower) and a compact but highly evolved rear-drive chassis, its competition heritage is palpable. Though the Emira wears fully modern bodywork, and its interior furnishings have evolved in step with modern technology and conveniences, the Emira still prioritizes the act of driving enjoyment above all else. Sadly, Lotus says the current Emira is the last of its gasoline-powered models before the automaker goes all-electric. Get one while you can. What’s New for 2026?The Emira carries over virtually unchanged, but with the addition of the Emira Clark Edition. Decorated in Lotus’ unmistakable green and yellow motif, the Clark Edition is limited to 60 examples. It commemorates the six decades since Jim Clark’s record-breaking 1965 racing season, where he took home the Formula 1 title and won the Indy 500, among other victories. Details include a driver’s seat in red leather and suede to match Clark’s race car, and a passenger seat finished in black. A wood gear knob stands as a nod to the Type 38 Clark drove when he won the 1965 Indy 500. Pricing and Which One to BuyThe price of the 2026 Lotus Emira is expected to start around $103,000 and go up to $153,750 depending on the trim and options.First Edition Turbo Four$103,000 (est)V-6$103,000 (est)Jim Clark Special Edition$153,750 (est)There’s no getting around the appeal and exclusivity of the new Emira Clark Edition. But unless you’ve got cash to burn or a cagey plan to preserve it for future generations (or for profit), you can get the same performance from the standard V-6 model. True, the AMG-powered Emira First Edition is tempting, but it’s paired with an automatic, whereas the V-6 offers a manual. And in a car this raw, it seems forgoing the thrill of shifting for yourself would be a grave error. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The mid-engine Emira can be had with one of two powerplants. A Toyota-sourced supercharged 3.5-liter V-6 carried over from the outgoing Evora GT makes 400 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It pairs with either a six-speed torque-converter automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. A turbocharged four-cylinder sourced from Mercedes-AMG makes the same 400 horsepower but boosts torque output to 354 pound-feet. It feeds the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the only gearbox pairing. Unlike most other modern sports cars, the Emira forgoes electric power steering for a hydraulically assisted setup that provides unsurpassed feel and feedback. During our initial test drive, we praised the Emira’s balanced handling and brilliant steering, and we marveled at its commitment to driver involvement. The Emira is at once more refined than the Evora GT it replaces and just as quirky; the manual transmission’s lever action needs smoothing out, and the brakes are grabby and difficult to modulate smoothly.0–60-MPH TimesAt our test track, a manual First Edition test car hit 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and completed the quarter-mile run in 12.7 seconds at 111 mph. That’s pretty quick, but the 718 Cayman GTS, which has a similar horsepower rating and mid-engine layout, managed to do it in 3.8 seconds.More on the Emira CoupeFuel Economy and Real-World MPG The EPA hasn’t released any fuel economy information for the 2026 Emira yet, but the current model earned ratings of 16 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. Selecting the six-speed manual transmission takes a 2-mpg penalty in each metric. For more information about the Emira’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.Interior, Comfort, and CargoWith a simple design and seating for two, the Emira’s interior is both minimalistic and intimate. The driver faces a squared-off steering wheel and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. The material quality looks upscale, far better than in previous Lotus models, and we’re glad to see physical switchgear for the climate controls. Likewise, the automaker also attempts to make its latest sports car easier to get in and out of by making the door sills narrower and the door openings larger than they were in the Evora GT. Other practical improvements include a pair of cupholders in the center console and storage bins in the doors that can each allegedly accommodate a half-liter bottle. There are also 7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the seats and another 5 cubes in a storage bay behind the engine. The Car and Driver DifferenceInfotainment and ConnectivityThe Emira’s infotainment system runs through a 10.2-inch touchscreen mounted in the middle of the dashboard. Apart from controls on the steering wheel, there is a knob on the center console to adjust volume and play or pause audio; otherwise, there are no physical controls for the infotainment system. Along with 12-volt and USB charging ports, the sports car features standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone functionality.How to Buy and Maintain a CarSafety and Driver-Assistance FeaturesBreaking with Lotus tradition, the Emira is offered with a host of optional driver-assistance technology. For more information about the Emira’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Available automated emergency braking
- Available lane-departure warning
- Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance CoverageLotus doesn’t provide spectacular coverage compared with other expensive sports car makers. While its limited warranty aligns with those of many competitors, both its short powertrain plan and lack of complimentary maintenance are disappointing.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
SpecificationsSpecifications
2024 Lotus Emira First Edition
Vehicle Type: mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door coupe
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $107,500/$107,500
Options: none
ENGINE
Supercharged DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port injection
Displacement: 211 in3, 3456 cm3
Power: 400 hp @ 6800 rpm
Torque: 310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
TRANSMISSION
6-speed manual
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/control arms
Brakes, F/R: 14.6-in vented, cross-drilled, grooved disc/13.8-in vented, cross-drilled, grooved disc
Tires: Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport
F: 245/35ZR-20 95Y LTS
R: 295/30ZR-20 101Y LTS
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 101.4 in
Length: 173.7 in
Width: 74.6 in
Height: 48.3 in
Passenger Volume: 49 ft3
Cargo Volume: 12 ft3
Curb Weight: 3279 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.3 sec
100 mph: 10.3 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.7 sec @ 111 mph
130 mph: 18.3 sec
150 mph: 28.3 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.7 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 8.1 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 6.8 sec
Top Speed (mfr’s claim): 180 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 149 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 293 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 1.00 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 20 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 20/17/26 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINEDMore Features and Specs
Source: caranddriver.com
