It’s amazing how some of the most recognized sports cars now include a combined electric and gasoline powertrains. Companies like Lamborghini, BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, and Acura have already made the leap with their gasoline/electric hybrid powertrains. We never quite thought a purely electric powertrain would be possible in sports cars, at least not sooner. But now we do. We will be getting more sports counterparts from the likes of Lamborghini and Audi. It’s great that the impending 2023 Lotus Emira breaks off the tradition too.
Ever since Lotus announced the Emira model, we’ve been left at the edge of our seats with expectations of the future of sports cars and all-electric powertrains. The feeling of having a sports car running on a motor and battery pack is quite alluring. Of course, we’d have to sacrifice the loud engine roaring sounds. On the other side, the 2023 Lotus Emira has become the most anticipated gas-powered sports car, especially considering that it will be the last of its kind. You’d be lucky to drive such an iconic car - if you can afford it.
The last gas-powered sports car has so many features that set it apart from the pack. The 2023 Lotus Emira is certainly a mark of a new generation of electric sports cars. Let’s find out.
What We Know About The Unveiling And Influx Of The Lotus Emira
Not so long ago, the most-anticipated Lotus Emira was unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England. Normally, this would just be another sports car ready to take on rivals on drag strips, but there’s something that makes this sports car different.
As pointed out earlier, the brand stated that the imminent Emira will be the last sports car to have the traditional gasoline engine. So not only are we not going to see another gas-powered Emira but the rest of its siblings too. The likes of Exige, Evora, and fabled Elise models. In Motortrend’s review of the 2023 Lotus Emira, they stated that the Emira will be a perfect choice for customers that are looking for a great alternative to the Porsche Boxster.
The Emira has an amazing appearance, and it seems to get its shape from its siblings. The Lotus Emira is what you would get if you combined the looks of the Evora and the Lotus Evija. Besides that, the Lotus wanted the Emira to be an everyday car, the Lotus Emira is expected to have some of the latest Sports Car Technology too.
On the powertrain, we expect the Lotus Emira to have 2-liter Mercedes-AMG or 3.5-liter V6 engine. The Lotus Emira will be available in showrooms from mid-2022 and will be sold as a 2023 model.
What We Love About The 2023 Lotus Emira: Its Appearance, Technology, Powertrain, And Performance
On the exterior, the sports car gets its exterior styling cues from its siblings, with perfect curves and impeccably designed joints, which give the Emira a contemporary look and maximum aerodynamics possible. On this performance, you have a couple of driving modes, which include Tour and Sport. You should expect to switch from the highway to the racetrack without any snags. Another noteworthy point is the size. The Emira is larger in size than the Elise and The Exige, and it weighs about 3000 lbs.
The Interior of the Lotus Emira is heavily padded for comfort. You won’t be able to take your eyes off the striking Alcantara-wrapped sporty steering wheel and its intuitive controls, providing easy access for the driver. The infotainment system is nothing short of spectacular, with a wide, striking touchscreen in the center of the dash.
Fortunately, the Emira has a sturdy engine that compliments the aerodynamics and performance. The Toyota-sourced supercharged 3.5-liter V-6, the same engine powering the Evora model, can churn out 400 horsepower (after being dialed back from 416 horses in the 2021 Lotus Evora GT). The engine will combine with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic to deliver a decent performance. The Emira will achieve a 0 to 60 mph acceleration in less than 4.5 seconds and claims a top speed of 180 mph.
What Does All This Say About The Future of Electric Sports Cars?
Electric cars have proven themselves to be more than just a passing fashion. Their market segment keeps expanding by the minute. While some brands are still combining powertrains, we are certainly moving towards an Era of sports cars with purely electric powertrains, and the Lotus Emira further sharpens the bigger picture. What’s more, Lotus recently revealed its new direction for the future, which it calls “Driving Tomorrow”
And other brands? Recall, Audi made the leap with the Audi E-Tron, which has attracted fans for its electric powertrain, and technology, among many things. Recently, Lamborghini is releasing its last gas-powered vehicle in 2024, and Volvo plans on going all-electric by 2030, along with McLaren.
By 2031, we think all brands burning fossils will have made the jump to electric powertrains. And on a “Save the Earth” Standpoint, we will this will go a long way. Ultimately, the end of the gas-powered Lotus Emira really is just the beginning of this new Sportscar Era - An Era we look forward to.