Lotus Emira Turbo SE Facelift Review

Less than a year ago, I got to drive the Lotus Emira, and I was quite enamoured with the car. Partially because it is just a really good sports car, but perhaps more so because it exists in defiant opposition against everything that's 'trendy' in today’s automotive landscape. In a sea of electric crossovers, the Emira stood proudly apart.

And now, the model has been refreshed to give it just a bit more gusto before it inevitably will wave a final goodbye.

Standard on the MY25 Lotus Emira Turbo SE are exterior components finished in Gloss Black, as well as 20-inch V-spoke forged wheels in Satin Grey

What's in a name?

I challenge you to spot the difference. Besides the locally-designed and fitted 'turbo se' sticker on the exterior of the car, you really couldn't spot any physical differences. And that's because there effectively aren't any. While the name of the car has been changed (once more), the mechanical basis of the car is unchanged. Some exterior components are a different colour now (the tailpipe finishers, front splitter, side sills and rear diffuser are now gloss black), but again this is part of the Extended Lower Black Pack that was previously an option but now made standard equipment.

Inside, again it's effectively unchanged, though that's no bad thing. The Emira already stood out for delivering a classy and luxurious cabin that makes daily life in a two-seater sports car honestly some sumptuous.

With ample lashings of premium materials, the cabin ranks highly both in terms of luxury and comfort (for a two-seater sports car)

So what's different? Well, two things - equipment, and performance.

First, equipment. The Emira now comes standard with the Lotus Drivers Pack, which adds a 'Track' mode, switchable exhaust sounds depending on drive mode, Launch Control, and cross drilled and ventilated two-piece disk brakes (this Lotus Drivers Pack was previously optional and fitted to the test car I drove).

As standard, the car comes with the Sport Chassis, though you can have the Tour Chassis as a no cost option. The Sport Chassis trades some pliancy for a little more sharpness, and you can feel it on the road. The car feels a tad more firm and focused, though it never tips over into being blatantly uncomfortable. However, if you do not intend to bring this to track, the Tour Chassis is probably the more sensible option.

With power bumped up to 400bhp and 480Nm of torque, the Emira now completes the century sprint in 4 seconds flat

Can you feel the difference?

Performance has also been increased, so the Mercedes-AMG turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder that sits behind the driver now outputs 400bhp and 480Nm of torque.

Can you feel the increase in performance? The Emira now has 40bhp and 50Nm more torque, and the century sprint is now 0.3 seconds quicker, but unless driven at full tilt you're not really going to feel a significant increase in performance.

Truth be told, I never thought the car needed more performance anyway. In fact, one thing I most appreciated about the Emira was the not-overwhelming performance, which allows you to enjoy the car's performance without instantly fearing for your driver's license. Even here, performance is still largely sensible while being undeniably quick.

More important than straight-up power is the Emira delightful balance and sharpness when going round bendy roads, paired with a chuckle-inducing soundtrack

More relevantly, this powertrain is entertaining. It's got plenty of performance, no doubt, but what perhaps is most delectable is the soundtrack. It's noisy and boisterous, the turbos whooshing away as you push hard on the throttle and let the revs build.

Extra power aside, the rest of the mechanical package is unchanged - this is still a highly competent sports car that feels responsive, agile and a joy to pilot.

But, that also means the same gripes apply. The gearbox is grumpy when crawling along at low speeds in first gear, and the need to shift from D to N before engaging R (and also the other way around, and it's not particularly quick, either) is a mild annoyance.

The Emira is one of the few remaining examples of a petrol-burning two-seater mid-engine sports car, and should be thoroughly celebrated before it inevitably gets consigned to the catacombs of history

For whom the bell tolls

Cynically, you could say that this is the same car with a modified name, previously-optional equipment made standard, and a dollop more power. And you know what? You'd be correct.

But that doesn't bother me at all.

The Emira is a soon-to-be-extinct nameplate, and you can already hear the tolling of the bell on this petrol-burning two-seater mid-engine sports car formula.

This facelift (if we even want to call it that) may bring an inevitable price increase - additional standard equipment raises the car's OMV, and with ARF tacked on prices now start at $548,800 versus $498,000 previously (without COE).

There's no denying that this is (still) a pricey and niche enthusiast choice. But what a choice it is. With its attention-grabbing looks, classy cabin and entertaining driving experience, the Emira remains a delight, and in my books still a triumph. 

Here are other mid-engine sports car worth checking out: 

The Alpine A110 delivers rewarding dynamism and lightweight agility

The Porsche 718 Cayman headlines with its handling and driveability