Last Chance to Drive an Authentic Lotus: Grab the Limited Edition Lotus Emira Turbo SE Now
Pulling Gear: Lotus' Exciting Transition
Embrace the roar of electric power or mourn the loss of iconic petrol-powered sports cars - it's your call. The British classic, now under Chinese ownership, is gearing up to make a drastic shift, leaving its petrol tanks behind forever once the last Emira two-seater bids farewell from Hethel, Norfolk.
If you're hankering for the good ol' days of Lotus, during the reign of Colin Chapman, listen up. A legendary era marked by the 'Seven' kit car and unparalleled success in Formula One is etched in history – Jim Clark garnered the first World Championship with the '25' in 1963, while Mario Andretti clinched the final title with the '79' in 1978.
Lotus celebrated its 60th anniversary of Clark's second championship win by releasing a special batch of 60 Emiras, lavished with the iconic green-and-yellow colors. But, folks, don't plan on taking these beauties for a spin – most likely, they'll end up as prized collector's items.
Costing a cool £115,000, these commemorative cars pack a punch, sporting a supercharged V6, 400 horsepower engine mated with a six-speed manual gearbox. But if you're seeking a more budget-friendly option without compromising on performance, go for the 'Turbo SE' model, equipped with a two-liter, four-cylinder engine by Mercedes-AMG.
When a rambunctious, Hethel Yellow Emira Turbo SE appeared in our little Dartmoor village, it turned heads – and not only because of its vibrant paint job. It seemed tailor-made for evening blasts across the tarmac that crisscrosses the moor and occasional school runs, perfect for generating your teenager's cringing embarrassment with your fancy wheels.
But, alas, the Emira was stolen away from me after the car's camshaft mysteriously malfunctioned – my wife's trusty Volkswagen Golf workhorse crumbled at the 198,000-mile mark. With its newness and Mercedes engine promising reliability, the Emira made itself quite the propertymobile for our estate-agent wife, who covered considerable distances for valuations and viewings.
"Bet you regret that," I chuckled as she parked up after her first day-long escapade. "Absolutely not," she chuckled back. "It's really comfortable, the sat-nav works, the heater's great, and it handled plenty of rough roads without any issue. And I love the boot – perfectly big enough."
While the Emira wasn't the ideal salesmobile for some, it proved to be a dependable companion for daily driving... except for one drawback – it appeared too luxurious for the modest property vendors, raising suspicions about high commissions.
Hop In For a Spin: Lotus Emira Turbo SEFrom £89,500 (plus on the road costs)
- Engine: Mercedes-AMG two-liter, twin turbo
- Gearbox: Mercedes-Amg eight-speed, dual-clutch
- Power: 360 bhp
- Torque: 317 ft/lbs
- Weight: 1,446 kilos
- Fuel consumption: 31mph average
- Fuel range: 350 miles
- 0 - 60mph: 4.3 seconds
- Top speed: 171 mph
Despite selling its last petrol-engined sports car, Lotus intends to continue weaving its magic, laying out ambitious plans that include electrification and new model lines. As the Chinese ownership pushes for tens of thousands of vehicles annually by 2028, Lotus' iconic performance heritage will remain, now with a greener touch.
Make history by experiencing a "real" Lotus – join the revolution and embrace the future of performance. Time's a-tickin', and these iconic machines won't wait.
- The transition in Lotus' industry moves forward as they gear up for electric vehicles, marking the end of petrol-powered sports cars.
- The Lotus Emira Turbo SE, with a reliable Mercedes-AMG engine, offers a blend of performance and practicality for everyday lifestyle, making it an appealing choice for those seeking sophistication in their cars.
- With new model lines and electrification plans, Lotus aims to maintain its acclaimed performance heritage while adding a sustainable touch, disrupting the transportation sector with their green-energy vehicles.
