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I have not had a desire to purchase a new car since this is the first time in over two decades. I have been looking for a fun drivers car that is lightweight, manual, and boosted, and this fits the bill in a way that has not been done before quite this way.
This is looking to be quite an impressive machine. I have never wanted to own a Lotus until now; primarily because I don't fit in them and they felt kinda of kit car ish. This is the first one that is a comfortable size, quality interior and does not look frumpy on the outside. It is a real stunner. the best thing is the price. Starts at 60k pounds base. I can't think of a car that is lighter, has a manual, mid engined, has actual real downforce aero/ looks like a super car, has all the latest tech and costs this little. With a supercharged Toyota engine and a manual 6 speed I think we have a winner and my next vehicle.
Its available with a 360hp Mercedes A45 AMG engine with a DCT or a 400hp Supercharged V6 Toyota 2GRFE and a 6 speed manual or traditional auto. I did some research on the AMG engine and didn't like what I found.
with puny webbing, cast crank, small/puny 2 bolt cast mains, puny rods, and a history of high maintenance the aftermarket has gotten these engines to about 450whp before they have major problems. The 2GRFE on the other hand has a boxed bottom end, strong crank, 6 bolt beefy main caps, beefy rods, and no history of high maintenance or even any failures. No surprise there.
. The AMG engine sounds like poop too. The V6 sounds great with the supercharger.
It has Android Auto/Apple car play, Bluetooth hands free, KEF HiFi, Keyless entry, radar cruise control, lane keep assist, many USB outlets and storage compartments, racing sports gauges and driving modes.
It even has exposed gear shifter linkages in the manual model like a new Gordon Murray T50. It almost feels like it is a micro T50 but better looking. Comes in six colors and has a black roof option, drivers pack that has track suspension and Michelin Cup 2, or Touring pack that has more comfort.
I am pretty impressed. I think it looks miles better than the A90, C8, Alfa 8C, even the F Type and Maserati. Audi/BMW/Merc can suck dust on looks and weight alone. I think it even is better looking than the LC500. Thats saying something. I think the current gen Ferrari's are frumpy, the Lambos look good but they are almost common, Aston's are overstyled, and Porsche is Porsche. IMO this may be the best looking car on the road. It's a Lotus so driving dynamics will be right up there with the looks. The only thing that would make this car better is a power targa top and air conditioned seats which would probably add 100+lbs so I'm good without.
I think I am going for it. It comes out Early 2022. What do you guys think?
At an event some years ago at Road Atlanta, Lotus was offering drives on a short autocross course. I don't remember when this was, maybe 10 years ago, but the cars had that same monstrous center pad in the steering wheel. I could not hand-over-hand in the turns without honking the horn!
Odd question, but are the bumpers more durable than the old Elise generation models. All I knew back then is if someone just tapped the front while parking you're out $10-12k because the shells were so fragile. I rarely parked a sports car on the street, but wouldn't want that stress.
Track suspension V6 manual with cup 2 Michelin's is pretty epic. Made me smile and second guess that manual. Basically did some calculations of power to weight and this Emira is 500lbs lighter than the new Corvette Z06 C8. I think it looks miles better than the C8 Z06 as well. I don't think the Z06 is ugly, it just isn't my cup of tea. With that lightness this car only needs 500hp to match the power to weight of the C8 Z06. Harrop makes a TVS1900 for the 3.5L V6 engine that bolts on that makes 500hp. That would be pretty epic to have a car that is more dynamic than the new Z06 with a manual. It sounds great too. The I4 can hit that number tuned too with the DCT. Decisions decisions.
The question I have is in the future which car will be the one to keep over time, will the DCT have problems later, or will the manual be the one to have being the last one from this brand. Which will I prefer to drive more? Hopefully next year I will be able to test drive both versions and make a decision.
Interesting note the C8 Z06 is 500-650lbs heavier than the Emira and Emira GT4. That weight advantage makes it easy to match the Z06 power to weight. The Emira only needs 500hp to match it, the GT4 even less. The Harrop S/C makes 500hp bolt on the stock V6 engine and there are tunes for the I4 that make that as well. I'm doubling down on the Emira. 3434lb Z06 vs 3048lb Emira 3434lb Z07 vs 2777lb GT4
07-23-2021 | 10:34 AM
My Jaguar XFR's new sister
