In all bar the CAR video the Emira sounded significantly more muted I thought than earlier protos.100% beauty ! The sound was just theatrical![]()
Was hoping modifications wouldn't have to be done, but sounds like a silencer needs removing!

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In all bar the CAR video the Emira sounded significantly more muted I thought than earlier protos.100% beauty ! The sound was just theatrical![]()
And in return we get a 700 unit allocation.I have to say that the AMERICAN (USA) legacy magazines have nothing but praise.
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You Americans love a plump curvy English lass.Another glowing AMERICAN (USA) review....... whats wrong with those damnn Brits reviewing their own national heritage manufacturer so poorly ??
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I'm with you on the sentiment.I think part of the problem if you want to call it that, is there were previews just a few weeks ago with the white VP 007 car, so the actual reviews today were kind of old hat to these guys, and that's what comes across.
In my opinion Lotus would have done better if they had not done the preview exercise, but instead let today's results be the first preview/review. I think the reaction would have been different for the most part. However, Harry's is the one I found most valuable. It isn't a clinical analysis by the numbers, it's an honest review of what it feels like to be in and drive the Emira.
At the beginning of Harry's video when you look at what's in his garage, the fact that he's grinning, laughing and that delighted with the Emira speaks volumes to me. It isn't a numbers car; it's a Lotus. I'm not buying a numbers car. I'm buying what Harry is buying, and for pretty much the same reasons.
For those disappointed that it's not perfect... it's a Lotus. It has the same dynamic an Alfa Romeo has. Would a perfect Lotus still be a Lotus? Would a perfect Alfa Romeo still be an Alfa Romeo? Cars like this AREN'T perfect in every way, but what they do right is so endearing, you don't really care that much about anything else. They have soul. They have character. If they were perfect, they'd be soulless machines, like a Porsche; something that doesn't really need you. A Lotus and an Alfa require your involvement, your participation to make the magic happen. You become part of the machine, while a Porsche IS the machine; you just get to sit inside and ride in it.
The Emira reminds me in a lot of ways of the new Alfa Romeo Giulia. They both strive to be a bit more civilized, a bit more 'modern', yet they still have their trademark soul. They both have gorgeous looks; unlike anything else in their class. They're both under $100k, and there's nothing else quite like them. They're not for everybody, and we're starting to see some of that with those that are now waffling because of what some paid reviewers are saying.
Every time I get in the Giulia and drive it, I'm reminded of what it was that compelled me to buy it. Though I haven't driven an Emira yet, I have the same feeling about it as I did the Alfa. The AWD Alfa is my 4 season daily driver. The Emira is going to be my fun car. At 70 years of age, I'll have a modern Alfa and a Lotus; what a way to finish out the days of my life, and the ICE era.
But he didn't get excited about the Cayman either. I guess I need to see other videos of him actually excited.This is what concerns me. I've followed these car journalists all of my life. They DO get excited. 'Today' they didn't and that is a worry.
Will await a test drive, but i do value the opinion of those doing the reviews
I agree with every single word you just wrote. It's as if I just wrote it, because I have the identical thought processesI'm torn, but also a realist. I try and stay objective. It's easy to complain about the shortcomings, I'm guilty myself. I'm very upset we're getting a detuned engine (at least in the US).
However, I then ask myself: what would I rather have? You know... in the real world, where there's no perfection and you can't just take the Emira body, build it out of CF like the Alfa 4C, reduce weight to a Miata, put McLaren doors on it, slap in the Z06 engine, put the Ferrari badge on it and price it like a Yaris.
I'd buy a Porsche 911 GT3, but last time I saw the Porsche dealer he couldn't even provide a base 911 at sticker and without wait. I was told if I want a GT3 it would be $50k over sticker and even if I paid it, they didn't have a GT3 for me. "Get in line." I told him if i'm paying $50k over sticker, I'd rather buy a real exotic for the same money. He didn't seem to care.
So yes... a slight bit disappointed and torn, but I can't think of anything else I'd rather buy at the moment. At least not below $200k. My closest, realistic, backup is the Audi R8. Everything else I'm interested in either doesn't exist yet (Roadster 2) or would be relegated to garage queen duties (Huracan EVO RWD)....
Oh the reviews of the Giulia had a LOT of static at the beginning. There were relentless comments about reliability, made all the worse by the breakdowns of some of the review cars both out on the road and on the track. When reading the early reviews you had the distinct impression buying an Alfa was a roll of the dice. The praise for the looks was universally positive, the enthusiasm for the brand was universal for the most part, but there was a mix of feelings about reliability and performance.I'm with you on the sentiment.
BUT the Guilia has recieved nothing but universal praise. Bar very long term build quality and slightly iffy infotainment, I don't think you can call it flawed at all really. That engine![]()
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If they had made a manual I'd have had one! Was almost my first auto. Sold my M2 Comp, got bored and was on my way to the Alfa garage. Unfortunately sold before I got there and didn't manage to find another as really wanted the carbon Sparco seatsOh the reviews of the Giulia had a LOT of static at the beginning. There were relentless comments about reliability, made all the worse by the breakdowns of some of the review cars both out on the road and on the track. When reading the early reviews you had the distinct impression buying an Alfa was a roll of the dice. The praise for the looks was universally positive, the enthusiasm for the brand was universal for the most part, but there was a mix of feelings about reliability and performance.
There was the same "the German cars are more polished and better built, blah blah" etc. that we're now seeing as comments comparing the Porsche to the Emira, only it was the BMW crowd coming into the Alfa forums and acting churlish towards the Alfa.
Everybody agreed the QV in race mode sounded fantastic. The V6 Emira is almost there, but I'm wondering if the 3rd cat is the culprit at toning it down somewhat. If Akrapovic makes a custom exhaust for the Emira, it's going to be interesting to see what theirs sounds like.
The early Alfas had battery issues (and still do unless they've been replaced), the interior materials were noted to be somewhat cheap, unless you got the Ti Lusso (which I bought) with the Italian leather seats and dash cover. The infotainment was slow in response (which they've since improved) and there were quite a few software updates to fix various things. I got lucky. Mine is an early 2017 build, still on it's original battery, and no problems. No squeaks or rattles. Definitely a keeper.
Yeah that was the one big disappointment. It seemed almost a blasphemy that it didn't have a manual, although initially it did in Europe, but apparently wasn't a good unit so they discontinued it. It has a very nice ZF8 which is plenty good, and the rest of the car is SO good, that it's worth having even without a manual. The Emira is going to satisfy my manual desires.If they had made a manual I'd have had one! Was almost my first auto. Sold my M2 Comp, got bored and was on my way to the Alfa garage. Unfortunately sold before I got there and didn't manage to find another as really wanted the carbon Sparco seats
After reading most reviews, owning a Porsche 991.2 , having paid my 1st deposit at Lotus Brussels 15 November 2021 and waiting at the signal from them to hand them my final configuration for the i4 AMG your conclusion is spot on, despite all the reviews!Ok, so I just went to PorscheUSA website, as a mental exercise and started configuring a Porsche 718 GTS 4.0. Honestly feeling uninspired. I'm sure it drives beautifully and is well refined... but dammit... I'm sticking with the Emira. It gets me excited just looking at it and that's all I want in a small less-than-practical sports car.
Porsche would make a great wife, it's a sensible choice.... Emira is the mistress. The other.
I think its just the British with their bad weather and bad teeth that are casting some shadows on the EMIRA. Nothing bad like that to read related to the EMIRA reviews here in sunny USA.
P.S. is orthodontia and cosmetic dentistry that outrageously expensive in the UK ?