Enhanced Lotus Emira Turbo SE Model: Standard Features Include Exclusive Upgrades
Article: Enhanced Performance in the Lotus Emira Turbo SE - Overpowering the V6 Counterpart
In a surprising turn of events, Lotus has stricken a performance dilemma among sports car enthusiasts with the unveiling of their latest creation, the Emira. The British automaker's last internal combustion model, now armed with an AMG-supplied turbocharged four-cylinder engine, surpasses the V6 variant in power delivery.
This new Emira Turbo SE engine delivers 294 kW/400 PS, compared to the 3.5-liter V6. Additionally, with 480 Newton metres of torque and 93 kilograms less weight, the Turbo SE is more powerful and fuel-efficient for a comparable price of €109,490.
Historically, the "SE" in Lotus signifies "Special Equipment." The Emira Turbo SE, then, comes furnished with a ensemble of sports suspension, reinforced brakes, and launch control, all standard. These attributes are accentuated by gray 20-inch alloy wheels, Alcantara headliner, and contrasting red brake calipers.
Compared to the First Edition of the Emira, released in 2022, the AMG M139 four-cylinder has received a boost of 40 horsepower and 50 Newton metres of torque. The upgraded eight-speed dual-clutch transmission from Affalterbach propels the Emira Turbo SE from 0 to 100 km/h in just four seconds and achieves a maximum speed of 291 km/h.
During a test drive in Sweden, primarily around Gothenburg and the Falkenberg Motorbana racetrack, several notable aspects emerged:
- The incredibly low seating position in the two-seater vehicle creates an obstructed view of the road, making it hard to determine where the car ends behind the steering wheel.
- The direct steering provides a high level of feedback, even making a lane change on the highway noticeable in the steering wheel. However, this can be unnerving on long drives, as the Emira actively follows lane markings and road irregularities.
- At 200 km/h, the Emira Turbo SE generates 55 kilograms of downforce, thanks to aerodynamics. This enhances stability on the racetrack while allowing a respectable, full-bodied sound to emanate from its relatively smaller engine displacement.
- During high-speed maneuvers, the stable brakes remained consistent, providing ample control regardless of the driver's skill level.
Offering multiple driving modes, from Touring to Sport and Track, the Emira Turbo SE can be adapted to both novice drivers and more experienced racers. The question remains, however, for whom the Emira V6 remains a suitable option, as the larger sibling is said to be more race-oriented [source: ntv.de, Martin Westerhoff, sp-x].
Lotus has yet to clarify if the Emira's focus will shift towards electric vehicles in the future, potentially marking the vanishing of dual-clutch transmissions altogether.
Technical Specifications:- Class: Compact two-seater coupé- Length: 4.41 meters, Width: 1.90 meters (with exterior mirrors: 2.09 meters), Height: 1.23 meters, Wheelbase: 2.58 meters, Trunk volume: 151 liters- 2.0L gasoline engine: 294 kW/400 PS, Torque: 480 Nm; Rear-wheel drive, 8-speed dual-clutch transmission- 0-100 km/h: 4.0 s, Vmax: 291 km/h, Combined fuel consumption: 9.192 l/100 km, CO2 emissions: 208 g/km- Price: €109,490
- In the upcoming phase, Lotus could opt to manufacture the Emira from materials of any heading, except that of an electric vehicle, despite the increasing trend towards green technology.
- The enhanced lifestyle experience offered by the Emira Turbo SE, with its powerful performance, sporty aesthetics, and advanced technology, could attract a broader demographic, even as sports cars evolve with changing times.
