Emira Review Index [I4 FE]

Creating a new thread and index for Emira I4 FE reviews which are scheduled for release on 8th August.
Please let me know of any missing review links and I'll update the index accordingly.

Reviewer	Type	Direct Link
Harry's Garage (Harry Metcalfe)	Video Review
Road and Track	Article	The AMG-Powered 2024 Lotus Emira Gets a Perfect Engine and an Imperfect Transmission To get the perfect engine for the Emira, Lotus had to take an imperfect transmission. It loses the manual and gets an automatic, sealed by AMG and not up to par. www.roadandtrack.com
AUTOCAR	Article	Lotus Emira I4 review | Autocar Sports car maestros’ final combustion model gains an AMG four. It’s an unexpected marriage, but an inspired one? www.autocar.co.uk
EVO	Article	Lotus Emira i4 2023 review – the final combustion-engined Lotus | Evo The AMG-engined Emira i4 is the last new internal combustion engined Lotus sports car, and it's one of the best www.evo.co.uk
Motor1	Article	2023 Lotus Emira I4 First Drive Review: AMG Power Meets British Poise Two fewer cylinders and a turbo replace Lotus’ hallmark V6 in a new take on the Emira. Cheaper, and only a little down on power, is it the pick of the range? www.motor1.com
TopGear	Video and Article	Lotus Emira i4 review: British sports car with an AMG hot hatch heart Reviews 2023 | Top Gear So this is the cheaper Lotus Emira for people who can’t stretch to the V6? It’s the entry-level car in terms of cylinders (four, not six), and power (360bhp, down from 400). But the new Lotus Emira i4 is not a cheap and cheerful door to Lotus ownership. Right now Lotus will only sell you a... www.topgear.com
Car and Driver	Article	First Drive: 2024 Lotus Emira 2.0 Brings Back the Four-Cylinder Lotus With its AMG-sourced 2.0-liter four-cylinder, the 2024 Emira hews to the Lotus tradition of getting more from less. www.caranddriver.com
Auto Express	Article	New Lotus Emira i4 2023 review | Auto Express We get behind the wheel of the last combustion Lotus ever. Is the new 4-cylinder Emira a worthy send-off? www.autoexpress.co.uk
PistonHeads	Article	2023 Lotus Emira i4 First Edition | PH Review The most powerful four-cylinder Lotus ever is also the final combustion model - a fitting farewell? www.pistonheads.com
The Smoking Tire	Video Review
Auto Daily	Article	2024 Lotus Emira i4 Review - Automotive Daily This is the last new internal combustion engined Lotus sports car. The last in a line that started with the Seven, captured the world’s imagination with the www.autodaily.com.au

 

[PsymonR]

Now I wonder if the i4 tested by EVO and published in late September had the revised gearbox software with eliminated delays? It seems this review avoids talking about any “shifting delay”, which is why I am wondering if the content of this review really is genuine (even if it supports the i4).

No, the test drive for the evo review was done at the same time as the others. The evo article published on the web is the same as the one in the print magazine, just delayed in getting onto the web. Looking back towards the early part of this thread the subscriber copy of the magazine landed just in advance of the video reviews coming out.

 

[Nova]

I want to be optimistic with regard to the transmission, but I don't know what to believe at this point.

Possibility 1: They didn't fix anything and there is just a misunderstanding of some sort. To me, this is the most likely scenario because of my cynicism.
Possibility 2: They actually did fix something, so now the plot thickens...
Possibility 2a: The issue was fixed by Lotus alone - whatever translation layer they had was adding a delay to the communications with the Mercedes ECU/TCU. Or maybe Lotus didn't send the command to put the transmission into Sport+/Track mode at the most aggressive drive mode settings. This does not speak well of Lotus' own R&D and testing capabilities if they failed to optimize this prior to arranging for reviews.
Possibility 2b: The issue was inside the Mercedes ECU/TCU and was fixed by Lotus and Mercedes working together, resulting in a different program for the Mercedes ECU/TCU. While possible, I find this to be the least likely scenario.

 

[PsymonR]

I want to be optimistic with regard to the transmission, but I don't know what to believe at this point.

Possibility 1: They didn't fix anything and there is just a misunderstanding of some sort. To me, this is the most likely scenario because of my cynicism.
Possibility 2: They actually did fix something, so now the plot thickens...
Possibility 2a: The issue was fixed by Lotus alone - whatever translation layer they had was adding a delay to the communications with the Mercedes ECU/TCU. Or maybe Lotus didn't send the command to put the transmission into Sport+/Track mode at the most aggressive drive mode settings. This does not speak well of Lotus' own R&D and testing capabilities if they failed to optimize this prior to arranging for reviews.
Possibility 2b: The issue was inside the Mercedes ECU/TCU and was fixed by Lotus and Mercedes working together, resulting in a different program for the Mercedes ECU/TCU. While possible, I find this to be the least likely scenario.

It also depends on what shifting delay issues they are talking about having fixed. There are two different things that have been mentioned in reviews with regards to this.

1. The one people are picking up most on - the delay from paddle pull to actual shift, which as I've said elsewhere is also evident on A45S videos so not solely an Emira 'feature'.
2. The lag with respect to the display where the revs/shift indicator didn't seem to keep up with acceleration that led to bouncing off the rev limiter when accelerating rapidly.

I think it could well be that it is this second one that they've resolved.

 

[kitkat]

It also depends on what shifting delay issues they are talking about having fixed. There are two different things that have been mentioned in reviews with regards to this.

1. The one people are picking up most on - the delay from paddle pull to actual shift, which as I've said elsewhere is also evident on A45S videos so not solely an Emira 'feature'.
2. The lag with respect to the display where the revs/shift indicator didn't seem to keep up with acceleration that led to bouncing off the rev limiter when accelerating rapidly.

I think it could well be that it is this second one that they've resolved.

I don't think #1 is an issue.
I think they're fixing #2 and agree with you there.

One item that isn't listed and mentioned by a few reviewers is the margin for safety in down shifts, I'm not sure if they're going to tighten that up or not. A couple reviewers mentioned that if you're within 1K rpm of redline, it won't execute a downshift, that's very conservative.

 

[JimH]

 

[Andy H]

I don't know how much of the interior sound is simulated but it sounded pretty good to me. One gripe about lazy downshifts but nothing too bad. Overall, very positive!

 

[Tokion]

Hi Andy H

It has been mentioned in various articles and posts that the AMG M139 engine both in Mercedes and the Lotus application do have an OPF filter. It is an integral part of the design.

I consider it to be confirmed that none of the interior sound of the Emira i4 with AMG M139 engine is simulated. I pursued this possibility at an early stage (especially after hearing interior sound, via video, of an i4 racing up the hill at 2023 Goodwood), but various responses from drivers that have experience with the i4 car signaled that this is most likely not the case.

Dominating factors of its sound is the air intake (external), and also the air blowing (for cooling) fan in the engine compartment located right behind the driver/passenger (this will depend if it is a LHD or RHD version according to the market where the car is sold).

Like most of us; I haven’t heard the i4 “live”, but everything I have heard through various videos indicates what I would describe as a slightly “electronic aural character”, especially when combined with the rapid DCT shifts.

Others may have a different description of its sound than mine

I am eagerly awaiting my own First Edition i4 sooner or later (most likely the latter)

 

[valentinewang]

Chinese version i4 simply test
0-100/km 4s
100-0 36.4m
Original Factory with comfortable suspension and eagle F1 tire

Original video link by bilibili：
【2.0T的路特斯Emira是中置后驱版的A45S么？-哔哩哔哩】 https://b23.tv/FhquzFE

 

[virtualmacho]

Original video link by bilibili：
【2.0T的路特斯Emira是中置后驱版的A45S么？-哔哩哔哩】 https://b23.tv/FhquzFE

Lots of smiles driving the i4. Looks like there is nothing to fret about.

 

[valentinewang]

Lots of smiles driving the i4. Looks like there is nothing to fret about.

Except for the usually breakdown lights…
None big trouble until right now in China.

 

[virtualmacho]

Except for the usually breakdown lights…
None big trouble until right now in China.

That part is no different from the v6

 

[Nova]

Chinese version i4 simply test
0-100/km 4s
100-0 36.4m
Original Factory with comfortable suspension and eagle F1 tire

Original video link by bilibili：
【2.0T的路特斯Emira是中置后驱版的A45S么？-哔哩哔哩】 https://b23.tv/FhquzFE

Notes from the video after they started driving, and I'm paraphrasing:
* Guy: This 4 cylinder can sound pretty good! Definitely better than the A45S.
* Guy: Hmm, this transmission still has not returned to normal cruising shifting patterns, I think I need to drop below 2k RPM for it to do that...
* Guy: Compared to the 718 2.5T and beggars-edition 911, which one is more attention-getting or do you like better? Gal: Well, firstly we have to eliminate the 718, because from afar, appearances matter.
* Gal: I feel that this car's noise isolation is very good. Guy: Yes, much better than the 718.
* Guy: You have to really push the accelerator to the max for this car to become powerful and power is not abundant. Even though both this and the V6 are 405HP, the V6's power lasts longer. Gal: Yes, this car can be explosive but lacks endurance.
* Gal: The chassis doesn't feel that hard. Guy: Yea, it's initially very compliant, and then it firms up with great support mid-travel.

There was a track test but conditions were not optimal and he thinks the car could be another 1.5 seconds faster (in the video comments).

Then they wondered about the car's socializing and city life capabilities and went to do some street driving. Paraphrasing again:
* Guy: At low turning angles, the steering wheel has almost no centering force. I can't accept this.
* Guy: The DCT is jerky, even in normal cruising mode. It's even worse in Sport and Track mode - never use these driving modes for normal day-to-day driving, don't even think about it. But even in normal cruising, it's a little jerky.
* Guy: You can hear the turbo blow-off sound, like a snake hissing. But, if you select the 3.5 V6, you can have the hellcat-like sound, and that is more exhilarating.

Final summary: He still doesn't like the steering's lack of centering feel. Even though there won't be a next generation or even a mid-model refresh, he still hopes that Lotus can improve this aspect of the car. This car is a pure sports car and is a better choice as a daily driver compared to the V6.

 

[PsymonR]

New I4 review out:

Lotus Emira I4 2024 review

Tim Pitt drives the new four-cylinder Lotus Emira I4. Does an exotic AMG engine and dual-clutch gearbox make for a better sports car?

www.motoringresearch.com

Car landed with the journalist at the end of November (link), in summary he preferred it to the V6 but would still go with a Cayman GTS (he has the NA flat 6 trumping the turbo 4pot)

 

[MaybeNeedEmira]

Another from CarBuzz. Specific to the I4, but covering interior and looks as well.
Posted July 21 2025.

https://carbuzz.com/2025-lotus-emira-i4-first-drive-review/

Seems like a considered opinion (not AI)
with inevitable Cayman comparison.
Title is a bit click-baity, but basic summary:
"You really have to be a proper Lotus fan to say no to the 718 Cayman and yes to the Emira."

My situation exactly, as have a '18 Cayman S turbo in the garage. Also live at 5,000 ft so that's another factor.

About the rumored "now 400hp" part. Article sticks to current specs, and I can't say it moves my decision one way another.

 

[PsymonR]

The latest evo magazine has revisited the i4, pitting it against the Morgan plus four. They still refer to it as the i4, so the messaging around Lotus' change of nomenclature towards Turbo (thanks to BMW) hadn't got to them it would seem!

They do mention the AMG DCT, prefer PDK and would like more positivity from the box and a more tactile mechanism but don't make a huge deal about it.

In the conclusions they're in part pretty positive about the car saying: "The Emira has layers of sophistication, modernity and useability that are wholly new ground for a product of Hethel, and the end result is a truly polished machine - particularly so in i4 guise, a package that feels just right for a Lotus. It seems a travesty, a complete waste no less, that the issues in bringing it to production and the switch to EVs will render it such a short existance, for this is a car that deserves so much more."

It's not all plaudits though... they do go on to say the drive hasn't changed their general consensus on the car, neither of the test drivers fell head over heels for it (and would probably prefer an A110). For the roads they were driving they weren't convinced the sports suspension / Cup2 combination was the right choice and of the two cars in the test they preferred the Morgan. But overall I think the car came out better than in the previous evo review.

Lotus Emira v Morgan Plus Four – car pictures of the week | Evo

In the latest issue of evo, we test a pair of British sports cars on some of the best driving roads in the country – these are our favourite shots

www.evo.co.uk

 

[Rainier]

 

[Rainier]

 

[ToonFan]

quite a decent review. I'd like to start seeing some more I4 reviews but with the bumped up HP we look to be getting.

 

[Rainier]

 

[Rainier]