Model research hub
Lotus Emira
Car and Driver says the most grown-up Lotus sports car is also the last to use internal-combustion power, with Lotus ramping up production of Emiras with a 400-hp AMG-sourced four-cylinder alongside the existing supercharged V6, two gas-burning powerplants, a turbocharged four-cylinder sourced from AMG and a Toyota-based supercharged V6, both putting out 400 horsepower and located amidships. Car and Driver separately says Lotus confirms the current Emira is the last of its gasoline-powered models before the automaker goes all-electric, with the 2026 Lotus Emira coupe offering a modern take on the archetypal raw, essential sports car experience, and Lotus switching up the lineup for 2026 with new SE and SE Racing Line trims carrying several upgrades.
Lotus's last combustion car
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says the most grown-up Lotus sports car is also the last to use internal-combustion power, with Lotus ramping up production of Emiras with a 400-hp AMG-sourced four-cylinder alongside the existing supercharged V6, two gas-burning powerplants, a turbocharged four-cylinder sourced from AMG and a Toyota-based supercharged V6, both putting out 400 horsepower and located amidships.
Confirmed as the end of the gas era
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says Lotus confirms the current Emira is the last of its gasoline-powered models before the automaker goes all-electric, with the 2026 Lotus Emira coupe offering a modern take on the archetypal raw, essential sports car experience.
Lotus's long practice of sourcing engines
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says Lotus never built its own internal combustion engines, sourcing them instead from mainstream automakers, a practice that continues today with Toyota's 3.5-liter V6 and the 2.0-liter Mercedes-AMG turbocharged four powering different versions of the mid-engine Emira.
Questions buyers ask
Is the Lotus Emira Lotus's last gas-powered car?
Yes — Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says Lotus confirms it's the last before going all-electric.
How much horsepower does the Lotus Emira have?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says 400 hp from either the AMG four-cylinder or the supercharged V6.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2027 Lotus Emira is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder (AMG-sourced) or supercharged 3.5L V6 (Toyota-sourced), rated at 360–450 horsepower across its sports coupe body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2027 U.S. lineup has 2 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2027 Emira seats 2 and is a Sports coupe.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2027 Emira.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2027 Lotus Emira
The i4 uses an AMG-supplied turbo four (360-400 hp depending on source) with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic; the V6 uses a supercharged Toyota-sourced engine, retuned to 450 hp for MY2027 (up from 400 hp) via ECU and minor hardware changes.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
4 indexed Lotus Emira model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Lotus Emira | 2027 record → | |
| 2026 Lotus Emira | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Lotus Emira | 2025 record → | |
| 2024 Lotus Emira | 2024 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Lotus Emira.
The Lotus Emira (codenamed "Type 131") is a sports car manufactured by the British company Lotus Cars. It was originally intended to be the firm's final vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, however this plan has been canceled, and Lotus is now intending to manufacture plug-in hybrids.
Source: Lotus Emira (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Lotus Emira at a glance
- Production
- 2022–present
- Assembly
- United Kingdom: Hethel, Norfolk
- Class
- Sports car (S)
- Body style
- 2-door coupé
- Layout
- Transverse mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
- Platform
- Elemental
- Wheelbase
- 101.3 in
- Length
- 173.7 in
- Width
- 74.6 in
- Height
- 48.2 in
- Curb weight
- 3279 lb
- Predecessor
- Lotus Elise, Lotus Exige, Lotus Evora
- Designer
- Daniel Durrant under Russell Carr (exterior), Jon Statham (interior)
- Also called
- Lotus NYO Emira (China, 2022–2025)
Year by year
The Lotus Emira across 4 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Lotus Emira | 21 | $3,100 | 1 |
| 2026 Lotus Emira | 21 | $2,950 | 1 |
| 2025 Lotus Emira | 19–21 | $2,950–$3,300 | 2 |
| 2024 Lotus Emira | 19–21 | $2,950–$3,300 | 2 |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Lotus Emira, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 to 2026 | 2 to 1 | 20.0 to 21.0 | Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Transmissions: Automatic (S8) | Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl; Transmissions: Automatic (S6), Manual 6-spd |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 Lotus Emira trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turbo SE | RWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 400 | 354 | 3,212 | – | 21 | $109,400 |
| Turbo SE Racing Line | RWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 400 | 354 | 3,212 | – | 21 | $112,400 |
| V6 SE | RWD | 3.5-liter V6 (Supercharged) | 400 | 317 | 3,214 | – | – | $115,400 |
| V6 SE Racing Line | RWD | 3.5-liter V6 (Supercharged) | 400 | 317 | 3,214 | – | – | $118,400 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Lotus Emira model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.5-liter V6 (Supercharged) | 400 | 3,212–3,214 | – | 13.8 |
| 2025 | 1 | 3.5-liter V6 (Supercharged) | 400 | 3,240 | – | 13.8 |
| 2024 | 2 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.5-liter V6 (Supercharged) | 400 | 3,187–3,240 | – | 13.8 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Compared with
Models this Lotus Emira is most often compared with.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2027 Emira come in?
The 2027 Lotus Emira (sports coupe) comes in 2 trims: Emira i4, Emira V6.
Q02What are the 2027 Emira trims?
The 2027 Lotus Emira trims are Emira i4, Emira V6, listed from the entry Emira i4 up to the top Emira V6.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2027 Emira use?
The 2027 Lotus Emira is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder (AMG-sourced) or supercharged 3.5L V6 (Toyota-sourced), rated at 360–450 horsepower across its sports coupe body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2027 Emira have?
The 2027 Lotus Emira is rated at 360–450 horsepower (2.0L turbo four-cylinder (AMG-sourced) or supercharged 3.5L V6 (Toyota-sourced)).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2027 Emira?
The 2027 Lotus Emira is offered with RWD.