Lighter, More Powerful Lotus Emira Gets A Removable Glass Roof

Lotus is living up to the promise it made earlier this month by introducing a more powerful and lighter Emira. The new 420 Sport uses the tried-and-tested AMG-sourced turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, now dialed up to 414 horsepower. That represents a healthy 54-hp increase over the standard car and 14 hp more than the Emira SE launched last August.

The four-cylinder mill is paired with the usual eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, sending 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) to the rear axle. Torque is up by 52 lb-ft (70 Nm) versus the standard Emira and by 15 lb-ft (20 Nm) over the SE. Thanks to the extra muscle, Lotus quotes a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint of 3.9 seconds, making it half a second quicker than the standard Emira and a tenth of a second faster than the SE.

The 420 Sport is also the fastest Emira of the bunch, topping out at 186 mph (300 km/h). When equipped with the Lightweight Handling Pack, it’s also the lightest. It tips the scales at 3,153 pounds (1,430 kilograms), or 55 lbs (25 kg) less than the previously lightest version. At the same time, Lotus claims the hardcore variant adds 55 lbs (25 kg) of downforce to keep the mid-engined sports car glued to the road.

Lotus Emira, Now With Less Roof

Beyond the improved performance figures, the latest Emira flavor gets a raft of aerodynamic upgrades and an Esprit-inspired feature. Debuting on the 420 Sport but available across the range, the optional tinted glass roof can be removed for open-air driving. It’s not a full convertible since this is essentially a removable sunroof, but it’s still a nice option to have. When removed, the panel fits neatly behind the seats.

Elsewhere, the sports car sits 0.2 inches (5 millimeters) closer to the road thanks to stickier tires and an updated suspension setup. Not much has changed inside, though there are now carbon-fiber shift paddles. The Emira 420 Sport comes standard with 12-way adjustable seats, while the optional Carbon Fiber and Hand Painted Packs add a variety of new accents.

While the Turbo SE starts at $106,900, the 420 Sport kicks off at $122,900. Lotus is asking a $16,000 premium and plans to start deliveries in August.

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Source: Lotus

Motor1’s Take: With the Porsche Boxster/Cayman dead and the Alpine A110 about to kick the bucket, there aren’t many mid-engined sports cars left outside the uber-expensive supercar realm.

The Emira is heading toward a fundamental change since it will lose both its AMG and Toyota engines. In their place, Lotus will use a completely new turbocharged V6 developed by Horse, a joint venture between parent company Geely and Renault.