Lotus EMIRA

The cabin of the 2024 Lotus Emia is fully premium. Everything is a big upgrade in terms of quality and design. There's a pleasant mix of materials, from plush Nappa leather seats to the Alcantara on the hexagonal multifunction steering wheel. The gear lever is brushed aluminium and is connected to a visible gear change mechanism. The plastics used are well-grained. Build quality is sturdier, with less common creaks. A 10.3-inch high-def touchscreen infotainment unit dominates the dashboard. It's connected to a multi-speaker audio system. While the display is crisp, the icons sometimes lag. It supports voice commands. Particularly impressive is the 12.3-inch digital instrument panel with large, easy-to-read dials, though not configurable. Storage space is impressive. There's space behind the rear seats to keep soft bags. The door bins are decent-sized. There's a deep well under the central armrest, besides a smartphone slot. 

The 2024 Lotus Emira, the last of the ICEs, has a rather revolutionary design that looks straight out of some sci-fi movie. It's about the same length as the Porsche 718 Cayman. But the Emira's ground clearance is two inches lower and the body is wider by 3.7 inches. The car's bodywork combines graceful curves and deeply carved-out air inlets. The look may seem generic in comparison to other sports coupes. But the oblique cutouts on the hood and a few other elements seem a bit out of place, though the design is otherwise cohesive. The Evora and the Emira share the same platform. Yet, from some angles, the 2024 Lotus Emira may look like a mini-Ferrari. But inspiration is taken from the Evija hypercar. The air inlets on the sides keep the engine cool. The vented rear bumper allows pressurized air to escape the rear wheel arches. A subtle mesh grille covers the exhaust section. The car gets all-around LED lighting. The taillights are tall and exaggerate the car's wide track by forging strong visuals. The car runs on special-cut, 20-inch alloy wheels. 

The 2024 Lotus Emira is spacious for its size. But the driving position can be improved. All seats are nicely padded, cushioned, and are reasonably supportive. The minimum seating position is a bit high for a sports car. The feeling isn't really cocooned. Getting in and out of the 2024 Lotus Emira is easy. The high, broad sill means passengers have to stretch one leg long into the cabin and then enter it. The interior is roomy, with enough legroom and headroom. At 151 litres, the boot is small, and the Emira isn't particularly suitable for a long drive.

The 2024 Lotus Emira Supercharged Launch Edition is equipped with a Toyota-sourced, turbocharged, six-cylinder, 3.5-litre petrol engine that produces 400 PS/420 Nm. The motor is mated to a six-speed manual. The powertrain enthusiastically blares into life before settling into a deep timbre at idle. The soundtrack is lovely though the performance doesn't really match up to it. The gear shifting should have been a little crisper. The hydraulically-assisted steering wheel is incredibly sharp and agile. Road grip is excellent, and the 2024 Lotus Emira turns corners with no fuss. 

The 2024 Lotus Emira comes with a high-definition rearview camera. Most of the driver-assist technology is optional, but standard equipment still includes adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and multiple airbags.  

At a starting price of AED 315,000, the 2024 Lotus Emira is a hugely expensive car. Like most other cars from the Norfolk-headquartered company, the Emira is available in limited numbers. It's mostly targeted at car collectors and speed enthusiasts. It's worth it for those wanting to have their first taste of supercars.