The Lotus Emira 420 Sport is the newest and most powerful version of the British sports car. It delivers 416 horsepower from Mercedes-AMG’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, making it the quickest Emira to date—accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds. With a top speed of 186 mph, Lotus states this is the fastest four-cylinder production car available.
The most aggressive Emira yet
The 420 Sport features a more extreme design. An extended front splitter, rear lip spoiler, slatted rear windscreen, and louvres above the front arches enhance its appearance. The car sits 5 mm lower than standard models, while larger air intakes improve radiator airflow by up to 15%.
A new Lightweight Handling Pack includes a titanium exhaust, a lighter lithium-ion battery, carbon-fibre components, a set of Michelin PS Cup 2 tyres, and Multimatic spool-valve dampers adjustable for bump and rebound through 11 clicks of stiffness. Optional 20-inch forged wheels are also available, and with all the lightest bits fitted, it weighs in at 1,430 kg—16 kg less than a base Emira Turbo.
Inside, the most notable addition is an optional detachable glass roof panel. Driven by demand from the US market, it turns the Emira into a nearly-targa top, stowable behind the seats. The option debuts on the 420 Sport but is available on every Emira model as a £5,000 upgrade.
More power, but familiar engine limitations
Torque is up to 369 lb ft, a 15 lb ft increase over the Turbo SE. Lotus has refined the eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, making it better at managing shifts when driving casually. When pushed, the new, enlarged carbon-fibre shift paddles improve driver engagement.
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However, the M139 engine remains rather plain for a car that otherwise looks and feels exotic. It sounds flat and industrial at all but the upper reaches of the rev range, with the Handling Pack’s titanium exhaust liberating a little more raspy character. The supercharged Toyota V6, available in other Emira models, offers richer, more engaging tones.
Track-focused, not road-friendly
The 420 Sport’s stiff suspension and aggressive chassis tuning make it difficult to handle on public roads. Even with the Multimatic dampers left in a reasonably slack setting for a road test, it’s brutally stiff—more so than the Turbo SE—with constant jiggling over the slightest imperfections.
The interior includes premium materials, though the touchscreen remains slow. The optional glass roof brightens the cabin, though wind noise at highway speeds is significant.
A car creeper might help mechanics working under the Emira.
