Lotus just stripped their car. Not metaphorically. Literally.
The new Emira 420 Sport arrives with 25kg less mass than the standard Turbo model. It costs £105,990. Does that matter? Maybe not to the ones buying it.
Built on the existing Emira Turbo chassis, it still runs the Mercedes-AMG four-cylinder engine. But it punches harder now. Output is up 54bhp compared to the regular car, landing at 414bhp. That’s a PS-based name, hence the 420. Even beats last year’s SE variant by 14bhp.
Straight line speed? Sure. It hits 62mph in 3 seconds and 9 tenths. Tops out at 186mph.
Forget that stuff though. This is about handling. Real handling. Lotus says this build delivers sharper response on both the asphalt and the track. They claim it captures their pure DNA better than anything before.
The Lightweight Handling Pack is standard equipment here. You can’t even skip it. It drops the curb weight to 1,421kg. At the same time, downforce increases by 25 units. A weird trade-off, maybe. Lighter car. More grip.
They tweaked the bodywork too.
Subtle changes mostly. A reshaped front splitter with new vents. A lip spoiler out back. Extended sills. Expanded air intakes. Why bother? Airflow to the radiators jumps up to 15%. Brake cooling improves by 10%. Drag stays flat.
“With these upgrades, drivers are able experience more consistent performance in demanding conditions”
Suspension sits 5mm lower. Specifically tuned. New high-performance tyres hug the ground tighter. Inside, carbonfibre shift paddles get an update for better haptic feedback.
Want to go lighter still?
There’s an optional carbon package. You swap steel or plastic bits for carbonfibre ones. Splitter. Sills. Vents. Side pods. Wing. Diffuser. Everything becomes light. Everything costs extra.
Oddly, this trim also brings the first removable sunroof to the Emira lineup. Soon every model might get one. The rear deck has louvers, too. A nod to the classic Esprit Turbo past.
Is it a purist toy or a daily driver wearing a mask?
You pay £106k for less metal. More downforce. And a sunroof you can take off if you like the wind in your hair while screaming to the red line.
Does anyone actually want that much involvement?
