Lotus Emira now comes with 400bhp whether you choose V6 or four-cylinder turbo

The Lotus Emira Turbo SE has finally gone on sale in the UK, replacing the Turbo with a more potent version to sit alongside the existing V6 model. The choice of Turbo SE (which has been available in other markets) or V6 also means that the Emira is no longer offered in its launch ‘First Edition’ trim. 

Prices for the new Turbo SE run from £89,500, and the V6 starts at £92,500. As a result, the Turbo SE increases the entry-point to the Emira range by £5,200 over the old Turbo, but while it’s still based around the same turbocharged four-cylinder, it brings an increase of 40bhp and 50Nm of torque, meaning the Turbo SE develops 400bhp and 480Nm of torque. That makes it very similar to the V6 model, which also puts out 400bhp, plus up to 430Nm of torque. 

As before, the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder from Mercedes-AMG sends power to an eight-speed DCT gearbox - although Lotus hasn’t revealed if any further tweaks have been made to the gearbox for this new, more powerful model. The Turbo SE’s boost in power does mean its 0-62mph time is cut from 4.3 to four second flat and it tops out at 180mph, 11mph more than before. Lotus also claims the Emira Turbo SE “features enhanced levels of performance and design whilst building on the attributes the automotive world has come to expect”. 

The V6, which gets its supercharged 3.5-litre unit from Toyota, has the same top speed as the Turbo SE, but it takes 4.3 seconds to reach 62mph in six-speed manual form and 4.6 seconds when equipped with a seven-speed automatic. 

The Turbo SE derives its name from the ‘Special Equipment’ tag seen on previous Lotus sports cars such as the Elan SE Turbo. As standard, the new car gets the ‘Lotus Drivers Pack’, which adds sports suspension, drilled and ventilated brake discs, plus launch control; the ‘Touring Pack’ with its softer suspension can be added instead, at no cost. 

Among the new design details are 20-inch forged Satin Grey wheels, Zinc Grey body paint, Alcantara headlining, red brake callipers, ‘Emira Turbo SE’ badging, blacked-out Lotus logos and darkened exhaust tips. The Turbo SE also gets the same choice of 13 paint finishes as the V6. 

The new car is on sale now, and Lotus says first deliveries should arrive in the second quarter of 2025. That might not be it for the Emira, either, because more variants could be in store. Lotus Europe CEO Dan Balmer recently said: “We are thrilled to announce the addition of new variants to the award-winning Emira. In 2025, the Emira range will be extended to meet wider customer needs while retaining the brand’s DNA and the driving dynamics Lotus is renowned for”

He also added, “We haven’t even begun with what we can do with versions of Emira. That’s what the crowd is shouting for.”

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