Lotus is highlighting the four-cylinder Emira, ahead of its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Originally announced in 2021, the Emria i4 is the “most powerful four-cylinder Lotus sports car of all time” thanks to a mid-mounted turbocharged 2.0-liter engine sourced from Mercedes-AMG. However, it features a handful of upgrades including a new intake and a revised exhaust.
In terms of performance, the engine develops 360 hp (268 kW / 365 PS) and 317 lb-ft (430 Nm) of torque. That’s 40 hp (30 kW / 41 PS) less than the supercharged 3.5-liter V6, but the four-cylinder has an extra 7 lb-ft (9 Nm) of torque.
More: Lotus Emira Debuts As Brand’s Farewell To Combustion Engines, Packs Four- And Six-Cylinder Options
The four-cylinder is the “final mainstream combustion engine” to be used in a two-seat Lotus and it’s paired to a Mercedes-sourced eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with a bespoke shift-mapping calibration. This is the first time a Lotus has been equipped with a dual-clutch gearbox and the company noted it offers faster gear changes than the six-speed automatic found in the Emira V6.
This setup enables the Emira i4 to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.4 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h). That isn’t much slower than the V6-powered model and customers will find launch control, an e-Diff function, and steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.
The car rides on the bonded aluminum Lotus Sports Car Architecture and features a forged aluminum double-wishbone suspension. The four-cylinder variant also has a lightweight cast aluminum rear subframe, which helps to save 26.5 lbs (12 kg) of weight compared to the steel assembly used in the Emira V6.
The suspension features Eibach springs and Bilstein dampers, which each offer unique tuning depending on whether customers select the Tour or Sport chassis. The former is “optimized for road use” and features softer springs and dampers, while the latter is track-focused and has a stiffer setup.
Other highlights include specially-developed tires and a new calibration for the electronic stability control system. They’re joined by cross-drilled and slotted discs measuring 14.6 inches (370 mm) front and 13.8 inches (350 mm) rear.
There aren’t any surprises on the styling front, but the 3,188 lbs (1,446 kg) coupe features LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and muscular rear haunches. The model also sports a gloss black diffuser, a dual exhaust system, and a purposeful design that allows for “passive downforce that’s perfectly balanced between the front and rear axles at all speeds.” Buyers will also find an expansive color palette with 13 options ranging from Atlantis Blue and Hethel Yellow to Cosmos Black and Osmium Silver.
Rounding out the highlights are 20-inch ultra-lightweight forged wheels with a diamond-cut finish. Customers can also order a Black Pack, which adds a gloss black finish to the roof and mirror caps.
Moving inside, drivers sit behind a flat-bottomed steering wheel and find themselves looking at a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The latter is joined by a 10.25-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
Other niceties include 12-way power heated seats, which can be covered in Alcantara or Nappa leather. They’re joined by an Alcantara headliner, a choice of contrast stitching, and a premium audio system developed in partnership with KEF.
Lotus Group Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Mike Johnstone remarked, “The Emira V6 has already proved incredibly successful, with many thousands of orders received from around the world. Now, with the four-cylinder Emira joining the range, we’re adding a new dimension to the car’s breadth of capability and appeal, offering new levels of efficiency and accessibility while continuing to offer all the performance and agility that our customers expect.”
The Emira i4 First Edition starts at £81,495 in the United Kingdom and €95,995 in Germany. However, there’s no word on U.S. pricing at this point.