Lotus Emira 420 Sport Is the Most Powerful Emira Yet

Lotus is turning up the performance of the Emira with the new Emira 420 Sport, a sharper and more focused version of the British sports car. Rather than simply adding more power, Lotus has worked on weight, aerodynamics, suspension, cooling, and overall driver involvement. The result is an Emira designed to feel even more at home on a demanding road or a race circuit.

Behind the cabin is a 2.0 liter turbocharged 4 cylinder engine sourced from Mercedes AMG. In the Emira 420 Sport, it produces 420 metric horsepower, equivalent to approximately 416 brake horsepower, along with 500 Newton meters of torque. Power is delivered exclusively to the rear wheels through an 8 speed dual clutch transmission.

Lotus claims the Emira 420 Sport can accelerate from 0 to 62 miles per hour in just 3.9 seconds and continue to a top speed of 186 miles per hour. Those numbers put the 4 cylinder Emira into serious sports car territory and make it even more powerful than the supercharged 3.5 liter V6 Emira.

But power is only one part of the story. Lotus has also concentrated heavily on reducing weight. When equipped with the available Lightweight Handling Pack, the Emira 420 Sport can shed approximately 25 kilograms compared with the Emira Turbo.

Several components contribute to the reduction. A titanium exhaust system saves approximately 6.5 kilograms, while a lithium ion battery removes around another 12 kilograms. A carbon fiber louvred tailgate contributes additional savings while also helping manage airflow around the rear of the car.

The Lightweight Handling Pack also adds 2 way adjustable Multimatic dampers and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The suspension setup lowers the car by approximately 5 millimeters, giving the Emira a more aggressive stance while improving its track focused chassis setup.

Aerodynamics received considerable attention as well. Lotus redesigned several areas of the body, including the front splitter, front air intakes, wheel arch vents, side sills, side intakes, and rear bodywork. Together, the changes generate approximately 25 kilograms of additional downforce without increasing the overall level of aerodynamic drag.

Cooling has also been improved to support harder driving. Airflow to the outboard radiators increases by approximately 15 percent, while airflow used for exhaust valve cooling rises by around 30 percent. Removable brake duct blanking panels provide another useful feature for drivers planning regular circuit sessions.

One of the most unexpected additions is an available removable tinted glass roof panel. The idea brings back memories of the Lotus Esprit while adding an open air element to the modern Emira. When removed, the panel can be stored behind the seats inside a protective bag.

Visually, Lotus has managed to make the 420 Sport look more serious without losing the clean proportions that made the original Emira so attractive. Tangelo Orange serves as a signature color, while carbon fiber components and additional personalization options allow customers to push the appearance further.

There is one important distinction for traditional Lotus enthusiasts. Unlike the V6 Emira, the 420 Sport does not offer a manual transmission. Its 8 speed dual clutch gearbox is focused on rapid shifts and outright performance, while buyers wanting the classic manual experience will still have a reason to consider the V6.

The Emira 420 Sport represents an interesting direction for Lotus. A smaller 4 cylinder engine might sound like the less exciting choice on paper, but the combination of 420 metric horsepower, lower weight, additional downforce, Multimatic suspension, rear wheel drive, and a 186 mile per hour top speed changes that argument considerably.

More importantly, Lotus has not tried to turn the Emira into something completely different. The basic formula remains simple: a compact mid engine sports car built around handling and driver involvement. The 420 Sport simply pushes that formula further, creating what could be one of the most focused versions of the Emira yet.