Electrification plays a big role in Lotus' future, but in the interim, a new, limited-edition Emira shows they haven't yet abandoned their "simplify, and add lightness" ethos.
The Emira 420 Sport joins the lineup for 2027 as a special edition model. It's the lightest and most powerful Emira you can buy, but there's a catch: you're locked to the AMG-sourced 2.0-litre turbo-four, and that means you're locked to the automatic transmission.
At least said turbo-four puts out more power. Like the name suggests, the Emira 420 Sport puts out 420 PS—or 414 horsepower—and 368 pound-feet of torque. That's a 14-horsepower/foot-pound-jump over the standard tune, and results in a 3.9-second null-to-100 sprint. Top speed is rated just shy of 300 km/h; in other words, the Emira 420 Sport is certainly brisk.
Go for the optional Lightweight Handling package, and the 420 Sport sheds 55 pounds and produces 55 more pounds of downforce at speed thanks to a new front splitter, reshaped side sills, larger air intakes, redesigned front ducts, new vents on top the fenders, louvers over the engine bay, and a new lip spoiler. Lotus says these tweaks improve airflow to the outer radiators by 15 per cent and by 14 per cent to the central radiator; brake cooling is also improved by 10 per cent.
The package also fits two-way adjustable Multimatic dampers, various carbon fibre accents inside and out, and a titanium exhaust that surely contributes to a 30 per cent improvement in exhaust valve airflow.
The Emira 420 also debuts a new option that will be available across the lineup; buyers can now spec a tinted, removable glass roof panel. You also get a lithium-ion battery and access to Lotus' Track Performance app to record your autocross runs and track days, if you're into all that.
Order books for the Emira 420 Sport are now open, and they're expected to land in showrooms this August.
