Lotus Emira

A significant model in the British automakers repertoire, its last internal combustion engine (ICE) production, the Lotus Emira i4, launched in Malaysia.

For the local market, the sports car gets the First Edition guise and boasts a powertrain supplied by the Germans (Mercedes-AMG).

Standard, it is equipped with four option packs (Lotus Lower Black Pack, Lotus Design Pack, Lotus Convenience Pack, Lotus Drivers Pack).

Official distributor, Lotus Cars Malaysia tags the fully-imported (CBU) Emira i4 First Edition at MYR 1,095,000 (OTR, w/o insurance), with three-years, unlimited-mileage warranty.

Thirteen exterior colours (Hethel Yellow, Magma Red, Vivid Red, Dark Verdant, Seneca Blue, Atlantis Blue, Meridian Blue, Osmium Silver, Nimbus Grey, Shadow Grey, Zinc Grey, Mist White, Cosmos Black).

The Emira i4 First Edition has an elegant and highly-premium designed cockpit, very performance-oriented and technically designed. 

A tiered dashboard for a more lightweight look, upholstery is in Alcantara (Black) with contrast stitching (Yellow, Red, Ice Grey).

Courtesy of the Lotus Design Pack, present are sports pedals (aluminium, rubber studs), Black Alcantara headliner and Lotus-branded floor mats.

Jewellery-grade stainless steel and plasticised metals (Satin Chrome trims) ensure that every control element is luxuriously durable. 

Overall, it has a sporty and symmetrical layout accentuated by white ambient lighting, and every accessibility is ergonomically positioned and driver-oriented.

Installed is a 12.3-Inch TFT fully-digital instrument cluster with selectable displays (Drive Modes).

Interior of the two-seater sees upholsteries in Nappa leather (Black, Red, Ice Grey, Tan) and Alcantara (Black) with contrast stitching (Yellow, Red, Ice Grey).

Fitted are comfortably-gripping seats, electronic-powered (driver, passenger) with 12-way adjustments, lumbar support, and memory (two-mode) and heating functions.

Sufficient cabin space. Enough head, shoulder and leg rooms for the driver and passenger, considering it to be a two-seater sports car. 

Numerous storage areas. E.g., centre console cavern and sectioned spaces, side door and back seat pockets, and a decent-sized glove box.

Mounted is a three-spoke and flat-bottomed steering wheel, wrapped in either Alcantara (Black) or Nappa leather (Black) with top-centre stitching (Yellow, Red, Ice Grey).

Features are multi-switches (haptic - media, vehicle settings), paddle shifters, and column adjustments (tilt, telescopic). Drive is aided by an Electrohydraulic Power Steering (EPS) system.

Two cup holders are provided, located at the centre console.

Installed are two USB-A and one USB-C ports, and a 12 V socket.

Accessing its powered-tailgate (remote control/key fob) opens up to 151-Litres (rear luggage) and 208-Litres (rear cabin) of load capacity.

Weighing in at 1,446 KG, the Emira i4 First Edition stands at 4,413 MM long, 2,092 MM wide, 1,226 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,575 MM.

A seamlessly chiselled exterior, its aerodynamically planted stance is highly influenced by the Lotus Evija hyper car’s 'Carved by Air' philosophy.

The front-end sees angular bonnet ducts, compensated by a lower bumper with mesh-like centre grille and side intakes, and a lower lip.

Fitted as standard is the Lotus Lower Black Pack, featuring Gloss Black accents (roof, cantrails, side mirrors, lower lip).

Aggressively sleek, it boasts a sharp, yet curvy and smoothly sculpted design, furthering the aerodynamically sporty appeal.

The rear-end sees a flowing boot-lid spoiler, vent-integrated muscular haunches, and a bumper with angular side-vents and a large twin-exhaust-integrated diffuser.

Fitted as standard is the Lotus Lower Black Pack, featuring Gloss Black accents (air-vents, diffuser, Lotus script), and Satin Black exhaust finishers.

The headlamps are framed in an upright and angularly focused design. Installed are full LED units with signature ‘double-blade’ Daytime Running Lights (DRL). 

Features are dynamic turn signals, automatic On/Off, and automatic high/low beams.

Sporty, the tail lamps are housed very slim and sleek, donating the rear layout with a distinct outlook. 

Installed are full LED units with inward-curled light graphics, and dynamic turn signals.

Black-capped, the side mirrors are electric-powered (auto-fold, adjust) with turn signals, two-memory function, and an automatic-dimming function (Lotus Convenience Pack).

Incorporated is a set of lightweight two-piece, cross-drilled and slotted brake discs (front, rear), with four-piston front callipers (AP Racing). 

Lotus-branded, the calliper colour options are Red, Black and Yellow (Lotus Design Pack). Drive is aided by an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB).

Courtesy of the Lotus Design Pack, fitted is a set of 20-Inch ten-V-spoke diamond-cut finished (Silver, Gloss Black), ultra-lightweight forged alloy rims. 

Lotus exclusive, wrapping them up are 245/35 R20 (front) and 295/30 R20 (rear) Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport (Tour Chassis) and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (Sports Chassis) tyres.

The Emira i4 First Edition is equipped with the following suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Grouped are Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Anti-Collision System (ACS), Fatigue Alert (FA), Road Sign Information (RSI), Vehicle Speed Limiter (VSL), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Lane Change Assist (LCA).

Others include Hill Start Assist Control (HSAC), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Passive safety includes six airbags (driver-passenger, side curtain), seat belts (reminders, pre-tensioners, anchors), parking sensors (four - front, rear), parking camera (reverse), door ajar warning, crash sensor, and security alarm with anti-theft and engine-immobiliser.

Four drive modes under Lotus Dynamic Performance Management (DPM - Tour, Sport, Off, Launch Control). 

Lotus Drivers Pack adds on a ‘Track Mode’ (ESP), and switchable exhaust sounds (drive mode dependent).

Installed is an ultra-slim centrally-mounted ‘floating’ 10.25-Inch HMI touchscreen display, with navigation and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity (wireless).

Sound is channelled via a six-speaker, 10-channel, 560 W KEF premium audio system, bespoke in a distinctive speaker design (Uni-QTM technology).

The Emira i4 First Edition nestles a powertrain supplied by Mercedes-AMG.

Featured is a mid-mounted M139, 2.0-Litre in-line four-cylinder, single twin-scroll turbocharger, direct-injection (petrol) with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) aluminium engine (360 HP/268 KW at 6,600 RPM - 430 NM at 3,000 to 5,500 RPM).

Mated to the engine is an eight-speed (shift-by-wire) dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT).

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels, via a Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) system, working together with a newly-calibrated Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system and e-Differential function.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 KM/H is done in 4.4 seconds, and top speed is 290 KM/H.

Fuel tank is at 52.5-Litre capacity.

The Emira i4 First Edition has keyless entry (engine Start/Stop button), powered-tailgate (remote/key fob), automatic climate control, multi-function steering wheel (haptic - media, vehicle settings, paddle shifters), auto-dimming rear-view mirrors (Lotus Convenience Pack - exterior, interior), electronic-powered seats, front armrest, parking camera (Lotus Convenience Pack - reverse), parking sensors (Lotus Convenience Pack - four - front, rear), automatic headlamps, rain sensing wipers with aero blades (Lotus Convenience Pack), rear privacy glass (Lotus Design Pack - side/windscreen), trunk light, rear luggage storage net (Lotus Convenience Pack), voice control and speed sensing door locks.

Underpinned is the Lotus Sports Car Architecture (bonded lightweight aluminium), featuring two different chassis versions (Lotus Drivers Pack - Tour, Sport). 

Propping it up are double wishbone suspensions (front, rear), working with a setup of Eibach springs and Bilstein high-pressure dampers, and an anti-roll bar (Emira exclusive).

The ride is agile with firm handling, and is suitable as a daily driver. Inside and out, performance- and comfort-wise, the ride quality is satisfactory.

Good sound insulation with the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects accounted for. The cabin is acoustically designed, enhancing the in-car ambience.

Overall, the cabin is able to suppress unwanted noises well and make them barely noticeable even when cruising through bumpy asphalts. 

The Lotus Emira i4 First Edition is built with a sophisticatedly aggressive sports car appeal, channelling hyper car essence.

Its beautifully sculpted exterior is very well designed, with clean and seamless lines emphasising on its low-slung silhouette. 

British-made, the quality of the equipment and materials installed inside, is also impressive with the upscale, mature design and restrained detailing.

Ultimately, the Emira i4 First Edition bargains more than just good looks, it also provides an absolute driving pleasure exclusive of the Lotus moniker.