After spending some quality time behind the wheel of the Lotus Emira, I must say, it was quite the rollercoaster ride! As a seasoned driver with a penchant for both speed and style, I found myself utterly captivated by this mid-engined beauty at first sight. However, my experience with the AMG-powered 2.0L edition left me yearning for more – much like a pizza without the extra cheese (and trust me, I’ve had some pretty lean pizzas in my day).
When it comes to certain cars, there’s often a feeling of embarrassment or regret associated with buying the base model and trim. This can be unfortunate, but the reality is that these models are entry-level for a reason. For instance, Lotus’s latest sports car, the Emira, follows this trend as well, showing signs of being a lower-tier version.
During our evaluation of the Lotus Emira First Edition earlier this year, we were thoroughly captivated by its compact build, alluring aesthetics, agile handling, and especially its potent power and manual transmission system. Previously, the vehicle’s 3.5L supercharged V6 engine paired with an enchanting six-speed manual gearbox in the U.S., has been replaced by a turbocharged 2.0L inline four engine, developed by AMG, and an eight-speed dual clutch transmission. On paper, both versions appear similar, but in actual use, the distinctions were quite apparent.
For a week here in sunny Southern California, we had the privilege of taking the Lotus Emira 2.0L First Edition for a spin. While it had some impressive aspects, it fell short and left us feeling somewhat underwhelmed compared to its more dynamic V6 counterparts. Here are our top five observations.
Everything Sounds Amazing
As a gamer behind the wheel of the captivating Lotus Emira, the symphony it played was truly unforgettable. It’s the first melody that grabs your attention – a harmonious blend of delightful sounds not just from its engine, but also from the responsive chassis itself.
The aural pleasures that greet you is thanks to the location of the engine – being mid-engined, the driver’s left ear is situated directly in front of the motor, the turbos, the intake, etc. For the V6, the supercharger whine was so pronounced, but didn’t churn until you’re within a specific rev range and throttle position. For the turbo 4-cylinder however, you’re constantly hearing the turbos either spool up or blow off, when you’re not hearing the intake suck in mass amounts of air. The sensation of hearing the 2.0L AMG engine breathe in and out is mesmerizing, and should be beyond welcomed for anyone not only into tuning culture, but mechanics in general. It’s the number one aspect of the AMG 2.0L Emira we loved the most.
Apart from its engine, the Emira exhibited some unusual quirks in terms of noises it produced. For instance, the electric steering pump could be heard at traffic lights and would fall silent when the steering wheel was stationary, only to resume again when not in use. Additionally, we picked up on sounds from belts whizzing and AC compressors activating, and the Emira’s road and tire noises were noticeable yet not overwhelming. This led us to understand that the Emira’s sounds had been carefully adjusted to keep the driver fully engaged while behind the wheel.
It Handles Like a Lotus Should
It’s clear that we’ve moved past the era of featherweight Lotus models like the Elise, which weighed less than 2,000 lbs. However, the Emira is far from being a heavy vehicle, tipping the scales at around 3,200 lbs. This light weight significantly impacts its handling, making it agile and responsive in sharp turns.
As I got behind the wheel of the AMG-powered Emira, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation due to its smaller engine compared to the supercharged version I tested earlier. Yet, as I revved up and hit the road, I was taken aback by how lightweight and responsive it felt, despite only weighing around 30 pounds less. Every corner and off-ramp became an invitation for me to grip and accelerate, a testament to its impressive agility that’s hard to find in today’s sports cars.
When it comes to discussing seating, comfort is crucial if you don’t want to slide around. However, the Emira’s partially soft, partially firm leather/Alcantara seats offered excellent side support during our sharp turns. On the downside, the lumbar support seemed misaligned, as we couldn’t fully adjust the backrest to our liking, even when trying to lower it. To add to that, the cabin felt cramped, making us restless on longer rides through winding canyons roads, unfortunately, the seats didn’t provide a perfect solution for comfort in this case.
The AMG Motor Is Potent, But Ultimately a Let Down
So let’s address the elephant in the room – the smaller motor is, in summary, lacking.
In simpler terms, the V6 engine with its supercharger was tempting due to its strong, continuous pull of torque and the powerful sensation of six cylinders working. On the other hand, the AMG-powered 2.0L turbo felt restricted, despite having similar power and torque on paper (360 hp and 316 lb-ft compared to the V6’s 400 and 317 lb-ft). The turbocharger gave a strong push when the RPM reached 3000 or more, but it gradually weakened as the engine revved higher, requiring us to continuously rebuild boost. Contrast this with the V6’s immediate power and consistently linear power band, and the 2.0L seemed less impressive compared to its larger counterpart.
Europe receives an AMG-enhanced 2.0L engine in its A45 AMG hatchback, boosting its power to a whopping 400 horsepower. This leaves us yearning for more, and the 10% less power in the Emira falls short of our expectations. Time for the tuners to step up!
At the close of the day, make your choice between two engines; if you appreciate turbo boost, delayed response, and rapid bursts of speed, opt for the AMG 2.0L engine. If a constant, swift acceleration and the sensation of uninterrupted power appeal to you more, then the supercharged V6 is worth considering. Personally, we’d lean toward the latter, every single time.
The Transmission Leaves Much to Be Desired
There seem to be two main points concerning the Lotus Emira. First, it comes equipped with a 2.0L AMG-powered engine and secondly, this powertrain is uniquely paired with an eight-speed dual clutch transmission.
Let’s put aside all the snobbery of a six-speed manual transmission – we actually like dual-clutch transmissions. They come off as a good mix of both engagement and reactiveness, as we realize our Formula 1 dreams through our paddle shifters. But the Lotus Emira’s DCT was often confused, resistant and even lazy at times.
Initially, the paddles felt too short in their operation, causing us doubt if they were actually activated at times. In modes other than Track, the shifts were gradual and prolonged, resulting in a noticeable delay before the turbo boost kicked in. On various instances, we attempted a quick double-tap to move from 5th to 3rd, but instead got stuck in 4th gear. This unexpected situation required three times longer to shift gears as our brain processed and adapted to it.
As a gamer, I found the gear shifting mechanism in the center console quite frustrating. Instead of the conventional up-and-down movement for shifting gears, Lotus opted for left and right motions. This design choice, while unique, felt more like a deviation from the norm than an improvement.
You’re Missing out by Not Getting the V6
The Lotus Emira AMG-powered 2.0L edition might appear as a compromise to some, but upon closer inspection, it’s clear that it stands in stark contrast to its V6 counterpart. Driving this car before the V6 would likely alleviate any initial concerns or reservations one might have, but the truth is these two vehicles are like apples and oranges – they offer distinctly different experiences.
Initially, there are several aspects noticeably absent from this version that were present in the V6 model, such as the visible engine at the rear, which adds to the appeal of a mid-engine car. In this AMG edition, the 2.0L engine is hidden behind an excessively large plastic cover, making it impossible to see the engine while driving, which was one of the standout features during our first Emira test drive. Additionally, the V6 model had an actuator that flexed and moved as you accelerated and decelerated, a visual element we appreciated greatly; unfortunately, this feature has been removed from the AMG edition. Lastly, the V6 model is only available with a manual transmission, while some consumers may prefer the automatic option. However, if you opt for the manual, you’ll miss out on the impressive gear linkage in the lower console, our favorite feature of the V6 sibling.
The Lotus Emira presents two distinct driving experiences, catering to two different types of drivers. For those seeking high-end thrills, there’s the supercharged V6 engine, paired with a smooth six-speed manual transmission, appealing to enthusiasts who are both willing and capable. On the other hand, if you prefer effortless cruising, enjoy turbocharged engines, and love the sound of a responsive 2.0L engine, then the AMG-powered option might be more your style – it’s less about compromise and more about personal preference. Regardless of choice, the Lotus Emira remains one of our favorite cars on the market today, offering an exciting driving experience for discerning drivers who appreciate stylish design and agile handling.
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2024-12-17 17:27