2025 Lotus Emira Review

Overview

The 2025 Lotus Emira sports car carries a rich heritage, tracing its lineage back to the Evora GT 2+2, which itself evolved from the iconic Elise and Exige models. Over time, Lotus has refined this chassis to maintain its exceptional handling and driver feedback, while updating key elements like the interior and infotainment system to meet modern standards. The outcome is a finely tuned sports coupe that marks the final chapter for Lotus’s internal combustion engine vehicles.

The Emira offers two powerful mid-mounted engine choices: a turbocharged four-cylinder developed in partnership with AMG, and a Toyota-based supercharged V6, each delivering 400 horsepower. Rear-wheel drive and sharp dynamics ensure the Emira closes Lotus’s ICE era with flair, positioning itself as a compelling alternative to rivals like the Porsche 718 Cayman. For enthusiasts seeking the purest expression of Lotus’s traditional craftsmanship, now is the perfect time to seize the opportunity.

When Is the 2025 Lotus Emira Coming Out?

The 2025 Emira is expected to arrive in showrooms by mid-year, with deliveries starting soon after. Lotus continues to refine the Emira’s dynamic capabilities and styling for its final combustion model year.

What’s New for 2025?

For 2025, Lotus introduces a new engine choice for the Emira: a 400-horsepower four-cylinder turbocharged engine sourced from AMG. This joins the existing supercharged V6, which produces the same horsepower but delivers less torque. The four-cylinder variants will carry the prestigious First Edition badge, previously reserved for last year’s V6 models. Although some 2024 Emiras were equipped with the turbo four-cylinder from the factory, the majority of customers ordering this engine will likely receive 2025 models.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The 2025 Lotus Emira starts at a base price of $102,250.

• Emira First Edition Turbo Four Package:      $102,250
• Emira V6 Coupe Package:                              $102,250
  

Although the AMG-powered Emira First Edition is an appealing option, we recommend opting for the V6 model since it’s the only one available with a manual transmission. Our evaluation is based solely on testing the V6 version, so if the turbocharged four-cylinder proves to outperform it, our recommendation could change.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Emira’s mid-engine layout offers two distinct powertrain options. The first is a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 from Toyota, carried over from the outgoing Evora GT, delivering 400 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine comes paired with your choice of a six-speed manual or a six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission. The second option is a turbocharged four-cylinder sourced from Mercedes-AMG, also producing 400 horsepower but with a higher torque output of 354 pound-feet. This engine is exclusively paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic that drives the rear wheels.

Unlike many contemporary sports cars that rely on electric power steering, the Emira uses a hydraulically assisted steering system, offering exceptional feel and feedback. In our initial test drive, we praised the car’s balanced handling and precise steering, highlighting its strong focus on driver engagement. The Emira feels more refined than the Evora GT it replaces but retains some quirks — the manual gearbox’s shift action could be smoother, and the brakes are quite grabby, making it challenging to achieve smooth modulation.

0–60-MPH Times

During testing, a manual First Edition Emira accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and completed the quarter-mile in 12.7 seconds at 111 mph. While these figures are impressive, the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS—with a comparable horsepower rating and mid-engine design—was quicker, reaching 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA estimates the Emira’s fuel economy at 16 mpg city and 24 mpg highway for the V6 manual, while the V6 automatic improves slightly to 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Official ratings for the turbocharged four-cylinder model are not yet available. Once we have the opportunity, we’ll put the Emira through our 75-mph highway fuel economy test and update this review with real-world results. For the latest official fuel economy details, you can visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Emira’s cabin embraces a clean, minimalist design with seating for two, creating an intimate driving environment. The driver is greeted by a squared-off steering wheel and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Material quality has noticeably improved over previous Lotus models, lending the interior a more upscale feel. Physical buttons for climate controls remain, offering tactile ease of use.

Lotus has also made practical strides to enhance accessibility by narrowing the door sills and enlarging the door openings compared to the Evora GT. Convenience features include dual cupholders in the center console and door storage bins designed to hold half-liter bottles. Cargo capacity is respectable for a sports car, with 7 cubic feet of space behind the seats and an additional 5 cubic feet available in a compartment located behind the engine.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Emira features a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment display positioned centrally on the dashboard. While steering wheel controls handle many functions, volume and audio playback can also be managed via a dedicated knob on the center console, as there are no other physical buttons for the system. Standard connectivity options include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside 12-volt and USB charging ports, ensuring seamless smartphone integration and convenient device charging.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Marking a departure from Lotus tradition, the Emira offers a range of optional driver-assistance technologies. For detailed crash-test ratings, you can check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Notable safety features include:

• Available automated emergency braking

• Available lane-departure warning

• Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Compared to other high-end sports car brands, Lotus’s warranty coverage is fairly modest. While its limited warranty duration matches many rivals, the relatively short powertrain warranty and absence of complimentary scheduled maintenance leave something to be desired.

• Limited warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles

• Powertrain warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles

• No complimentary scheduled maintenance included

2025 Lotus Emira – Full Specifications

Final Verdict

The 2025 Lotus Emira is a thrilling blend of raw sports car excitement and modern refinement. As Lotus’s last combustion model, it offers a compelling package for enthusiasts who value driver engagement, distinctive style, and exclusivity. While it may lack some of the latest driver aids, the Emira’s performance and character make it a memorable and desirable sports car.

2025 Lotus Emira Videos