Lotus has revealed full details of the AMG-engined version of the Emira, its final production car powered by an internal combustion engine.
The Emira launched in 2021, replacing the Evora, Elise and Exige with a supercharged 3.5-litre V6 engine. Now, the model's engine range will be expanded with a four-cylinder, turbocharged 2.0-litre unit supplied by Mercedes-AMG. The engine is teamed with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, giving drivers a choice between full manual control or automatic gear changes.
"The Emira V6 has already proved incredibly successful, with many thousands of orders received from around the world," said Lotus Group vice-president Mike Johnstone.
"Now, with the four-cylinder Emira joining the range, we're adding a new dimension to the car's breadth of capability and appeal, offering new levels of efficiency and accessibility while continuing to offer all the performance and agility that our customers expect."
The engine
The AMG engine produces 360hp, endowing the Emira with a 0-100km/h time of just 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 290km/h.
The engine has been designed especially for high-performance applications and is made using the chill-casting process, resulting in a fine-grained, durable structure. The cylinder block itself is of a closed-deck design to ensure maximum stiffness.
The cylinder bores are finished in a patented low-friction coating to save weight, and the steel crankshaft and aluminium pistons are forged, balancing high strength and low weight.
The cylinder head features a 200-bar direct injection system and four valves per cylinder. The intake and exhaust cams are equipped with variable valve timing, while the valve opening can be varied between high and low duration.
The Emira's piezo injectors are designed for precision when delivering fuel into the combustion chamber, resulting in enhanced combustion and reduced emissions. The piezo injectors are also joined by port fuel injectors mounted on the side of the cylinder head to deliver the correct amount of petrol.
The turbocharger is of "twin-scroll" design, splitting the turbine housing into two distinct ducts, which are matched to corresponding ducts in the exhaust manifold. This, in turn, minimises any interference caused by exhaust gas waves, improving the efficiency of gas exchange in the cylinders.
Thanks to all this, the Emira gets 430Nm from 3,000-5,500rpm and 360hp at 6,600rpm before maxing out at 7,200rpm.
Transmission and handling
Mercedes-AMG has developed the dual-clutch transmission (DCT), and this is the first time Lotus has used the technology. The DCT offers quicker gear changes compared to the manual and automatic transmissions offered on the Emira V6.
The gearbox allows the driver to choose between a smoother, more refined gear change when in Drive or quicker, more dynamic changes when in manual, using either the paddles behind the steering wheel or the lever in the centre console.
The Emira is also equipped with launch control, enabling the driver to calibrate the car for optimum acceleration from a standing start. This is achieved by maximising the available traction from the rear wheels and the torque from the powertrain.
With the arrival of the new engine, Lotus has fitted the Emira with a new, lightweight subframe constructed from cast aluminium in place of the steel construction used on the V6 Emira. This saves 12kg in total, and the Emira weighs in at 1,446kg.
The car's brakes are now optimised to suit the new engine, with lightweight, two-piece, cross-drilled and slotted discs and four-piston callipers mounted on the front axle.
The Emira's suspension setup has also been reworked to suit the characteristics of the AMG unit. "We've meticulously tuned the suspension settings for the 2.0-litre Emira to deliver the superb body and control that's a Lotus hallmark without the car ever feeling harsh," said Gavan Kershaw, director of vehicle attributes and product integrity at Lotus.
"We've also taken the opportunity to refine how the powertrain is linked to the traction and stability control systems to deliver the high-performance feel and connection that Lotus drivers expect."
In addition, the 2.0-litre Emira features an entirely new calibration for the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system, as well as an 'e-Diff' function, which applies modulated brake pressure to the rear wheels, maximising traction by transferring torque to the wheel with the most grip - helping to enhance performance and control in difficult conditions.
The four-cylinder Emira will be offered with a choice of specially-developed tyres - Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersports as standard on the Tour chassis (or as an option on the Sports chassis) while Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres are offered exclusively on the Sports chassis.
Launch and pricing
The Emira First Edition is available to order now, with 13 colours offered: Hethel Yellow, Magma Red, Vivid Red, Dark Verdant, Seneca Blue, Atlantis Blue, Meridian Blue, Osmium Silver, Nimbus Grey, Shadow Grey, Zinc Grey, Mist White and Cosmos Black, with an optional Black Pack adding a glossy black finish to the roof, contrails, mirror pods and Lotus lettering.
Irish prices are yet to be released.