New Lotus Emira 420 Sport: Light And Powerful.
Just a week or two ago, legendary Lotus, the premium sports car maker, introduced the Emira 420 Sport. It’s the most powerful, lightest and most aerodynamically capable Emira ever built to date and, you’ll be pleased to note, it has a proper engine and gearbox despite the brand pursuing electric drive and tackling increasingly tough emissions regulations. Lotus still make cars for those who love internal combustion.
About The Lotus Emira 420 Sport
The Emira 420 Sport sits at the apex of the Emira line-up and has been designed specifically to deliver even more performance both on road and, if you like, on the track too. It reinforces the Lotus commitment to preserving the sporting DNA first introduced by the late, great Colin Chapman all those years ago. By delivering greater agility and response this model reinforces the commitment to driver engagement.
This fabulous prestige sports car produces 414BHP (420PS) from a two litre turbo-charged four-cylinder engine, which delivers acceleration from 0–62MPH (100KPH) in a swift 3.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 186MPH. With the optional ‘Lightweight Handling Pack’, the Emira 420 Sport is 25kg lighter than the Emira Turbo and generates 25kg of additional downforce. A series of aerodynamic revisions improve the cooling and track performance without increasing drag. Lotus is also introducing a removable tinted glass roof panel for the Emira, available optionally across the full model range.
The premium Emira model is globally renowned for its ride and handling, which has been tuned to absorb, settle and communicate, working in harmony with a steering system that remains pure and natural in use. With the 420 Sport, the famous brand has taken that foundation and pushed it further yet. Adjustable dampers, increased downforce, sharper responses, reduced roll; it’s all there with every detail obsessively engineered to put the driver more in control.
Customers now have a choice of no less than nine wheel designs and finishes including a new twenty inch 15-spoke forged alloy wheels finished in satin dark grey. The colour palette offered for the exterior is vibrant and extensive with 16 choices to select from. Unique to the Emira 420 Sport is ‘Tangelo Orange’, a vivid and expressive colour that continues a long tradition of Lotus Orange paint as seen in our images. It looks great in the flesh.
The Drive
The compact engine produces 500Nm of torque and is paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission for faster acceleration and more immediate in-gear response. The ‘Lightweight Handling Pack’ delivers improved agility and responsiveness, and includes two-way adjustable ‘Multimatic’ dampers, a titanium exhaust, a lithium-ion battery, carbon fibre components and a dedicated ‘Lotus Track Performance’ app to measure and record your lap time. It’s a worthwhile optional addition.
The Emira 420 Sport builds on the Lotus reputation for steering precision and chassis balance. A 5mm lower ride height, combined with revised suspension settings and high-performance tyres, enhances control and driver feedback. The bonded aluminium chassis and double wishbone suspension deliver the blend of ride comfort and handling precision that defines the Emira, while electro-hydraulic power steering provides detailed feedback to the driver.
On The Outside
Exterior updates include a new front splitter, revised front vents, extended side sills, larger air intakes, a lip spoiler and a louvred tailgate. These changes result in airflow to the outboard radiators increasing by fifteen percent, to the central radiator by fourteen percent and brake cooling improves by ten percent, as well as exhaust valve airflow increasing by as much as 30%. With these upgrades, drivers are able to experience more consistent performance in demanding conditions, particularly on the track. The updates also subtly reference Lotus’ design heritage, echoing cues seen on cars such as the wonderful Esprit Turbo of yesteryear.
Options
There’s a ‘Carbon Fibre Pack’ which changes the driver display surround with unique geometry; the centre spoke on the steering wheel and the logo surround in the seat back. In addition Lotus offer a ‘Hand Painted Pack’ that uses the Tangelo Orange launch colour to add highlights throughout the cabin, including the centre console, steering wheel spoke, gear lever inner and air vent surround. Buyers who choose this colour are sure to want to add this option.
Also, Lotus offer a removable tinted glass roof panel, available for the first time on the Emira. Inspired by the sibling Esprit, the panel is designed for quick removal and stores behind the seats in a protective bag, allowing drivers to switch easily between coupé and open-top configurations. Lotus’ underlying architecture ensures dynamic performance remains unchanged.
The Premium Cabin
On The inside, the cabin is designed to support both road and track driving, with twelve-way adjustable seats, a driver-focused layout and intuitive controls. New carbon fibre gear shift paddles combine with updated tactile feedback for added responsiveness and driver engagement.
Buying A Lotus With MHH International
MHH International are the leading exporter of new and premium used cars from the UK to global destinations like New Zealand, Kenya and no less than twenty-five other countries. Current Lotus stock can be seen on these pages. Please ask about availability. Further, MHH International stock a wide range of vehicles from many prestige car manufacturers, offering VAT-free options where applicable. Full details can be found on our website. Our experienced team are ready to help.
