Lotus expands the Emira range with a more powerful Turbo SE model

Lotus expands the Emira range with a more powerful Turbo SE model

The Lotus brand is transitioning to become an EV carmaker in 2028, with the launch of the Eletre SUV signalling the beginning of an electrically powered era. That said, the Emira, introduced in 2021, is the last ICE-powered sportscar before the brand makes the shift, and by all appearances, Lotus isn’t ready to let the Emira fade away just yet.

The Emira was developed to act as the spiritual successor to the Evora, Exige, and Elise sportscars, combining their best traits into a modern and more refined package. And now, the final Emira, the Turbo SE (Special Equipment) variant, aims to cater to those who expect more from a sportscar.

From a specification point of view, it’s an exciting package. For starters, the SE nameplate adds more power (of course), while the standard Lotus Drivers Pack adds a range of must-have upgrades. These include standard sports suspension settings, uprated cross-drilled and ventilated two-piece brake discs, launch control, and new 20-inch V-spoke forged Satin Grey alloys that are home to red brake callipers.

Other features include a Zinc Grey exterior shade, an Alcantara headliner, new ‘Emira Turbo SE’ badges, new Lotus branding, and black Lotus badging and exhaust tips.

As for its power, it’s still delivered by the AMG-sourced 2.0-litre 4-cylinder M139 engine but tuned to deliver 30kW and 50Nm more to 328kW and 480Nm. The increase is exactly what enthusiasts were hoping for. After all, while 298kW was a solid number by any measure, it didn’t quite capture the excitement that a sports car of this nature deserves.

As for performance, Lotus claims the Emira Turbo SE will sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.0 seconds before stopping at 290km/h (18km/h more than the standard Emira). This makes the Emira Turbo SE the most powerful Emira to date.

The power is accessed via an 8-speed also borrowed from AMG, but should you prefer the traditional way of shifting cogs, the regular Emira comes with a 6-speed manual alongside an optional 6-speed automatic gearbox.

This is not the first time the Turbo SE nameplate has been used in a Lotus. It was used back in 1980 when the turbo was first implemented in the Turbo Esprit, which is regarded as an early adopter of forced induction.

The Emira Turbo SE brings a thrilling new level of sportiness to the range, and it’s a reminder of a time when special edition cars meant more than just exclusive badges. We’ve longed for the days when a special edition car wasn’t just about exclusivity—it was about extra power, better features, and enhanced performance. This is worth celebrating as it gives owners more bragging rights for driving something truly special.