Gripping gusto: Lotus Emira Turbo First Edition

May 14, 2025May 13, 2025 by Metropol No Comments

As Lotus ventures ever closer to being an EV-only luxury car maker, the Emira seems to be the UK-based brand’s last with an internal combustion heart. Metropol writer Ben Selby shares more.

I became rather besotted with the Emira V6 manual when I tested it for Metropol last year, so I was dead keen to see how this turbo four-cylinder version would compare.

On first appearances, this Emira Turbo First Edition boasts the same beauty as the V6. Similar ‘carved by air’ styling cues as seen on the limited run Lotus Evija hyper car just look the business here. With a low slung profile, wide stance, plenty of scoops and intakes, it’s a textbook mid-engine sports car.

The 2.0L four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine has been sourced from Mercedes-AMG. Power sits at 268kW and torque at 430Nm mated to an eight-speed dual clutch transmission. Zero to 100kph is dealt with in 4.4 seconds and the top whack is in the region of 275kph. Interestingly, the turbo is only 0.2 seconds less rapid to 100kph than the V6.

Inside it is as ‘driver focused’ as you would expect it to be, yet with a decent number of technological niceties. Getting in and out isn’t too labourious. Once snuggly cocooned by heated leather seats, find an ideal driving position, plus lashings of Alcantara and other high-grade materials. Those aforementioned niceties include Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster screen, a slick 10.25-inch touch screen infotainment screen and a delightful 7-speaker KEF sound system.

Get going and the eight-speed automatic box is sleek when sauntering through suburbia in auto mode. However, when you want to shift manually, there is a slight delay between flicking a paddle and the next gear kicking in. Go through neutral to access reverse – a characteristic which is not as immediate as I would have liked.

A firm press of one’s right shoe results in a spool up of turbo pressure, resulting in a sharp kick in the back as you surge forward. With high revs and in the power band above 3000rpm, the Emira Turbo is brisk. Sitting so low to the ground only embellishes this sensation. It doesn’t wail like the V6, yet the AMG-sourced turbo four pot adds Lotus Esprit Turbo-esque soundtrack especially at higher revs – something which likely reflects Lotus Auckland’s choice of retro decals for this car.

Handling wise? Sublime. Gallons of grip – when you are in Sport or Track mode, the Emira Turbo just loves being pushed into every corner with extreme gusto and verve. It is beautifully balanced and compliant, while returning a supple yet sporty ride.

All in all, the Emira Turbo First Edition is incredible fun and, in some ways, makes more sense if you intend to use your Lotus Emira daily. Though if you do, you will be getting plenty of stares. Despite lacking some of the drama and character of the V6, the Lotus Emira Turbo First Edition is an addictive drive.

FACT FILE: Lotus Emira Turbo First Edition