What is it?
The Emira is the final petrol-powered Lotus, a mid-engine two-seater on a bonded aluminium chassis built at Hethel that replaces the Elise, Exige and Evora at once. Two engines are offered for Australia: a supercharged 3.5L Toyota V6 in 298 kW and 430 Nm form (six-speed manual or six-speed automatic), and an AMG-sourced 2.0 turbo four at 268 kW and 430 Nm with an eight-speed DCT only. No hybrid assist on either car.
The lineup runs from Emira I4 First Edition at $189,990 plus on-roads, through to Emira V6 SE at $215,990 plus on-roads. Warranty cover sits at 3 years, unlimited km (Emira). 5 years, 150,000 km (Eletre).
Interior and Technology
Mid-engine bonded aluminium chassis built at Hethel, set up for back-road feedback rather than circuit lap times. The supercharged Toyota V6 with a real six-speed manual is unmatched at the price for analogue feel, and the AMG-sourced 2.0 turbo four brings DCT convenience for the everyday Emira buyer.
208L rear boot plus 151L frunk locks it into weekend-bag territory. 3-year factory warranty is short for the money, and the Lotus dealer network in Australia remains thin outside capitals.
Should you buy the Emira?
Reasons to buy
- Mid-engine bonded aluminium chassis built at Hethel, set up for back-road feedback rather than circuit lap times. The supercharged Toyota V6 with a real six-speed manual is unmatched at the price for analogue feel, and the AMG-sourced 2.0 turbo four brings DCT convenience for the everyday Emira buyer.
- Warranty: 3 years, unlimited km.
- 208 L (rear) + 151 L (frunk) boot, segment-competitive cargo space.
Reasons to wait
- 208L rear boot plus 151L frunk locks it into weekend-bag territory. 3-year factory warranty is short for the money, and the Lotus dealer network in Australia remains thin outside capitals.
- You need rear seats, you want a longer factory warranty than 3 years, you live somewhere with no Lotus dealer (the network is thin outside Sydney and Melbourne), or you want any hybrid assistance.
- Confirm build-slot allocation in writing before transferring deposit, especially on the V6 SE run-out flagship. Future resale exposure is real once V6 production ends, the Emira is the last combustion Lotus we will get.
- Top trim climbs to $215,990 plus on-roads.
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