The Lightweight Lotus Emira 420 Sport Makes 414 HP
Lotus may be going through changes, but it hasn’t forgotten what got it where it is.
The British sports car maker has just unveiled the Emira 420 Sport. The latest variant of the most traditional member of the current Lotus lineup is the lightest and most powerful version yet, making it even more of a throwback to the brand’s golden days.
Lotus has tried to turn around its fortunes in recent years by building out its lineup with new vehicle classes and powertrain options. But for the marque’s most diehard supporters, the only true Lotus among its current offerings is the two-door Emira with its mid-mounted internal combustion engine. Because of this, it’s easy to view the 420 Sport as a variant aimed directly at the purists.
The new Lotus Emira 420 Sport
Lotus
Only time will tell if the Emira will ends up being discussed like the Esprit or Elise, but there’s no denying it’s a true sports car. The latest version of the coupe comes with an AMG-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The mill churns out 414 hp—or 420 PS, hence the name—and 368 ft lbs of torque. Those figures represent increases of 14 hp and 14 ft lbs of torque over the standard Emira. Thanks to the boost, the car can now zip from zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 186 mph.
To get the most out of the Emira 420 Sport, buyers will want to opt for the add-on Lightweight Handling package. The kit cuts over 55 pounds from the car’s curb weight, according to the automaker. The accompanying aerodynamic modifications—including a new front splitter, revised vents and intakes, extended side sills, a lip spoiler, and a louvred lift gate—produce the same amount of downforce. The variant is also the first Emira available with a Esprit-like removable tinted glass roof panel.
The new model churns out 414 hp and can go zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds.
Lotus
Just as exciting as all that is the fact that you won’t have to wait long to get your hands on the Emira 420 Sport. Lotus is taking orders for the variant now through dealers and expects deliveries to begin in August. The company plans to sell the model on this side of the Atlantic, too, where it will start at $122,900.
