Emira Review Index [V6 FE]

For those looking for the latest Emira V6 FE reviews scheduled to be released today, I've self-volunteered to maintain a quick reference index here.
Please let me know of any missing articles and I'll update accordingly.

Reviewer	Type	Direct Link
Edmunds	Article	New Lotus Emira Is Worth the Wait | Edmunds The 2022 Lotus Emira, powered by a supercharged 3.5-liter V6, is both the end and the beginning of an era as the automaker transitions to a world of fully electrified supercars and crossovers. www.edmunds.com
Harry's Garage (Harry Metcalfe)	Video Review	Harry drives the Sports and Tour suspension back to back on the same road and shares his thoughts.
Schmee150 (Tim Burton)	Video Review	Published 21st June Bought the Right Car?! LOTUS EMIRA V6 FIRST DRIVE The countdown is on! The folks at Lotus have delivered an Emira V6 First Edition to @TheShmuseum in a near-identical spec to my inbound car, to take for a fi... www.youtube.com
Carwow (Mat Watson)	Video Review	Lotus Emira review - and my BANNED test! Looking to sell your car? Then you've come to the right place. carwow is the free, easy way to change your car online. Check it out here: https://bit.ly/Buy-... www.youtube.com
TopGear	Articles and Video	Published 3rd July Chris Harris talks about the Lotus Emira Chris Harris On… The All-New Lotus Emira | Top Gear Series 32 “I’d feel a bit scared if I were a McLaren or an Aston Martin at the moment” Chris Harris chats to Top Gear Magazine’s Jack Rix about the all-new Lotus Emira... youtu.be Published 20th June Lotus Emira Review 2023 | Top Gear The last ever petrol-powered Lotus looks fantastic and drives with precision, but not quite as much emotion as we might’ve hoped www.topgear.com The big sportscar test: Lotus Emira vs Porsche Cayman vs Alpine A110 www.topgear.com
AutoTrader (Rory Reid)	Video Review	NEW Lotus Emira: The Last REAL Lotus? | 4K Rory reviews the new Lotus Emira, Lotus' last ever petrol sports car. Soon the company will transition to electric cars, but for this last hurrah the Emira p... www.youtube.com
Evo	Article and Video Review	2023 Lotus Emira review – strong showing for Porsche Cayman GTS rival | Evo The first new Lotus for a generation, and the last to be petrol powered, shows great promise but needs some polish www.evo.co.uk
CAR	Article and Video Review	Published 22nd July Lotus Emira vs Porsche Cayman GTS vs Alpine A110 group test review CAR magazine UK compares the Lotus Emira sports car with the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 and Alpine A110 S www.carmagazine.co.uk Lotus Emira (2023) review: new 2.0-litre engine driven The brand new Lotus Emira, tested on road and track by CAR magazine. www.carmagazine.co.uk Lotus Emira vs Cayman 718 GTS vs Alpine 110s
Autocar	Article and Video Review	Lotus Emira V6 First Edition 2022 UK first drive | Autocar Most important Lotus in decades heralds a new era and sees out an old one, being the firm's last petrol sports car www.autocar.co.uk
Pistonheads	Article	2022 Lotus Emira | PH Review The Emira is one step closer to production-ready. And the good news (mostly) keeps coming www.pistonheads.com
KHTV	Video Review
The Drive	Article	2023 Lotus Emira First Drive Review: Lotus Grows Up, and Just in Time The Lotus Emira is the last of its kind, the final gas-powered car from the legendary company. And what a thrilling sendoff it is. www.thedrive.com
AutoExpress	Article	New Lotus Emira V6 First Edition review | Auto Express We hit road and track in the new Lotus Emira - the model that redefines the brand as a sports car maker www.autoexpress.co.uk Pictures: New Lotus Emira 2022 review - pictures | Auto Express Pictures of the new Lotus Emira www.autoexpress.co.uk
WhichCar	Article	2022 Lotus Emira review: V6 First Edition, international launch Lotus wants to compete with daily-driver premium sportscars like the Cayman and its new Emira V6 First Edition is a big step in the right direction www.whichcar.com.au
CarBuyer	Article	Lotus Emira coupe review | Carbuyer “The Emira marks a big step on in terms of design and quality for Lotus, and it’s great to drive” www.carbuyer.co.uk
Hagerty	Article	Lotus Emira first drive review: Will the fab four become the famous five? | Hagerty UK Is the Emira good enough to turn the fab four – Elite, Elan, Esprit, Elise – into the famous five? Read Andrew Frankel's review to find out. www.hagerty.co.uk
Road and Track	Article	Published 1st September Lotus Emira Road and Track Drive The Lotus Emira Is One of the Greats Lotus's final combustion-engined sports car starts a new era for the English automaker, and a prime example of what a well-funded Lotus can build. www.roadandtrack.com The 2023 Emira Is an All-Time High For Lotus The Emira comes from a bygone era. www.roadandtrack.com
Goodwood	Article	First Drive: Lotus Emira 2022 Review | GRR The Emira is the final combustion-engined Lotus, and it might finally be a match for the Porsche Cayman... www.goodwood.com
The Intercooler	Podcast	Reasonably good post-embargo Emira discussion on The Intercooler. Apple Podcasts Web Embed embed.podcasts.apple.com
Motortrend	Article	2023 Lotus Emira First Drive Review: The Porsche Substitute Don’t want a Porsche Cayman? Try this. www.motortrend.com
Drive	Article	2022 Lotus Emira review: International first drive With a reborn and reinvigorated Lotus looking to a new and very different future, is the Emira the first excuse-free Lotus? www.drive.com.au
AFR	Article	Lotus takes on Porsche with its $185,000 Emira This is a street car for buyers who appreciate luxury and great looks – although with a claimed top speed of 290km/h, it’s no slouch on the racetrack. www.afr.com
Parkers	Article	Lotus Emira Review (2024) Lotus Emira (2024) in-depth review. Read our experts' views on the engine, practicality, running costs, overall performance and more. www.parkers.co.uk
CarExpert	Article	2023 Lotus Emira review: First drive We drive the last Lotus without electrification around Mount Panorama to see if it's a worthy contender to the Porsche 718 Cayman. www.carexpert.com.au
Caffeine & Machine	Article	Caffeine & Machine Hitting the Alps in the summer, chasing the #cultofmachine in the brand spanking new Lotus Emira. Soul food at its best, delivered in spades across the myriad of special alpine roads littering the... www.facebook.com Photos on Instagram: Caffeine&Machine on Instagram: "Hitting the Alps in the summer, chasing the #cultofmachine in the brand spanking new Lotus Emira. Soul food at its best, delivered in spades across the myriad of special alpine roads littering the region. It would be 1,055 likes, 8 comments - caffeineandmachine on June 13, 2022: "Hitting the Alps in the summer, chasing the #cultofmachine in the brand spanking new Lotus Emira. Soul food at its best, delivered in spades across the myriad of special alpine roads littering the region. It would be so easy to... www.instagram.com
The Sunday Times Driving	Article	Lotus Emira V6 2022 on-track review: Lotus's last petrol car is more than significant ... it's good This isn't going to be one of our usual reviews, because our test drive of the new Lotus Emira wasn't usual, either, having experienced just three and a half laps behind the wheel around Goodwood Motor Circuit,. www.driving.co.uk
Car and Driver	Article	2023 Emira Is a Grown-Up Lotus The last gas-powered Lotus also may be the first you don't have to make excuses for. www.caranddriver.com
The Sun	Article	I've driven the Lotus Emira - you can use it every day and it's saving BRITAIN THERE’S only one type of person who wouldn’t fall in love with the Lotus Emira. Those Twitter-dwelling keyboard warriors who think they know more about cars than everyone else. I’ve seen a few comm… www.thesun.co.uk
AutoCar UK	Article	Published 2nd July Lotus Emira vs Porsche 718 Cayman | Autocar Lotus’s new sports car is a great car in its own right - but can it hold its own against the class leader? www.autocar.co.uk

 

[CarGuy07]

If Lotus were better organised…

Quote of the year here IMO.

 

[digilotus]

For example, it seems obvious but Lotus should not have allowed back to back car comparisons between other production cars and a non-production Emira. Why set yourself up for failure? Do you think any other car manufacturer would be stupid enough to allow that?

Back to back competitive comparisons can follow later after production cars are built and released to market.

I'm still super excited to get my Emira soon and think the car will be brilliant, but Lotus deserves any backfire created as a result of poor planning and media engagement.

 

[TomE]

Other manufacturers (like Porsche) have very strict rules around what journalists can/cannot do during reviews, especially for non-production cars. They also have a bunch of engineers onsite to resolve issues and deal with any questions. It seems Lotus was quite liberal in allowing reviewers to do what they wanted with pre-production cars which might have come back to bite.

If Lotus were better organised, they would have had two car setups (track and sport) available to each reviewer, ability to do tyre swaps (e.g. sports + goodyear or sport + cup2) with engineers directly on hand. Reviewers like EVO / Jethro could then complain directly to the engineers and either get explanations, a different car or tyre setup and maybe some more design detail over a lunch and learn event.

Exactly. Instead Harry had to call Gav to talk about suspension and Gav sent one of his development drivers over with a Touring spec car for him to drive. The C&M folks decided to take their press car over to the Alps for the weekend. EVO took a road-spec car to a track. CarWow did a 0-60 test despite being told not to - on the test track at Hethel!! Lotus seem to have had no control over who did what. It's amateur.

For the Evora press launch they took a bunch of cars to a hotel in Scotland, invited all the press there at the same time, gave them briefings on the car and recommended routes for test drives and photos. It's not hard to manage the press reviews.

 

[s2kmunpo]

Yeah it's all a little odd. Toyota allowed the press to "review" the GR Corollas that were preproduction models but specifically did not allow any test drives. That is what lotus should have done as well and only allowed drives/comparisons/testing with actual production models. But it seems they are too crunched for time and want to get the car out there without further delays.

 

[switchlanez]

Here is the "T131" First Edition product brief showing the modes that go +200rpm over "normal" rev limit. Someone who shall remain anonymous snapped this at a UK event and sent it to me. The leak is neither their fault nor mine--a Lotus engineer left their laptop with this doc open in plain sight to the public.

 

[LotusB]

Here is the "T131" First Edition leaked doc showing the modes that go +200rpm over "normal" rev limit. Someone who shall remain anonymous snapped this at a UK event and sent it to me.

View attachment 6314

Yup, I remember seeing this... but why isn't Lotus allowing it in the ECU? Why do all of the literature, press releases and reviews have none of this information? It would only help Lotus sell cars. Should we continue to stay hopeful? At least, maybe those of us in the US?

 

[kitkat]

Yup, I remember seeing this... but why isn't Lotus allowing it in the ECU? Why do all of the literature, press releases and reviews have none of this information? It would only help Lotus sell cars. Should we continue to stay hopeful? At least, maybe those of us in the US?

Not sure, that was quite a while ago too. Maybe they changed their minds?

 

[Eagle7]

Read the title; it's for the Production First Edition Version 6 software. One of the reviewers, I can't remember which, said they have the version 5. something (5.6?) software in the review car, so it isn't the final version. They even commented that it's supposed to have version 6 but doesn't.

This is why I think they should have waited for these press reviews until they had a final spec car, with final spec software and performance. I know everybody has been hammering them for info, but this has just created more angst and uncertainty instead of scratching the itch for more info in a positive way.

They should NOT have allowed these pre-production cars to be road tested/compared to finished competitor cars.

At this point....LOTUS.... just get the car right for production. We'll be okay with it. Owner reviews and experiences will do more for the car and brand than any press review. Get it right.

 

[DJS]

Overall the car has been praised in many ways, I don’t know what all the fuss is about it’s only the Evo review that seems to have put peoples noses out of joint. As mentioned this guy didn’t even have the right set up to comment on.

Let’s admit most people on this forum are petrol heads and enthusiasts who are looking for the finer details, but in reality over half the people who end up buying this car won’t be interested in its 0-60 time or how it handles they will just be looking for a beautiful looking daily driver.

I’ve just sold my 718 Cayman and I currently have a Porsche 911 992 S, in fact I’ve been with Porsche for years,, but now it’s time for a change and I know this Emira won’t let me down, I just want that fun factor back as I have had my fun with all the Porsches I’ve purchased.

I don’t think I’ve ever had a car longer than 2 years in my life and it will be no different with the Emira, maybe buy then it will be on to the all new electric version of the Elise. (Or whatever they call it)

Please everyone be optimistic I think overall the majority of us will be more than happy.

 

[digilotus]

Here is the "T131" First Edition product brief showing the modes that go +200rpm over "normal" rev limit. Someone who shall remain anonymous snapped this at a UK event and sent it to me. The leak is neither their fault nor mine--a Lotus engineer left their laptop with this doc open in plain sight to the public.

View attachment 6314

Everyone assumed that the default rev limit is 6800rpm in Tour and +200rpm therefore meant 7000rpm (max).

Perhaps the default rev limit is now 6600rpm and in Sport or Track it is 6800rpm.

#forthedebaters

 

[virtualmacho]

Whoever was issued laptop # LS315409 and his/her manager is in for it...

 

[Leonard]

I agree Tom that 400HP is plenty. I suppose my only gripe is I don't think I have ever seen any automotive company release a new vehicle to replace an older model and re-use the exact engine and then de-tune it. Literally backwards a bit. Aside from that, I think the Emira is fantastic.

400 is adequate in a road car, but was the benchmark for Cayman and M2 Comp three/four years ago. I do agree launching with 416 would have moved the game on and given the Emira a much needed advantage. New M2 will have 455bhp...

 

[freefall_junkie]

I have just read Car's written review https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/lotus/emira-coupe/

I'd encourage anyone having a wobble after yesterday's reviews (admittedly I had doubts after reading Evo) to read it. Even more positive than their video review, and that is with Sport + Goodyears . Rekindled my enthusiasm for the Emira.

 

[xen]

Just catching up with reviews and comments on here. A few thoughts:

Let's drop the pre-production car excuses. The only things that'll change are final tolerances on fit and finish. Any ECU / software / configuration changes will need to go through an extended testing and validation phase that's simply unreasonable now this close to production (unless that's delayed).

The reviews I think have brought everyone back down to reality so now we can start to have realistic grounded conversations about the car. My read is that It's not particularly groundbreaking (which I never expected it to be) but offers a solid alternative to the 718 GTS - which was the design brief from the start. For a relatively 'small' company like Lotus this is quite the achievement. Do consider though that the current 718 rides a significantly older platform and is about to be replaced.

I'm keeping my deposit and order in place. It looks much better than the cayman and performs about the same - which was my expectation at the start.

P.S. it's disengenious to reject the reviews you don't like or that don't agree with your prior expectations (confirmation bias once again) and then suggest the reviewers have an ulterior motive. Take them as they are - different peoples opinions and try to compare their context to yours.

 

[digilotus]

I have just read Car's written review https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/lotus/emira-coupe/

I'd encourage anyone having a wobble after yesterday's reviews (admittedly I had doubts after reading Evo) to read it. Even more positive than their video review, and that is with Sport + Goodyears . Rekindled my enthusiasm for the Emira.

Have added a link to the index. Thank you!

 

[TomE]

Read the title; it's for the Production First Edition Version 6 software. One of the reviewers, I can't remember which, said they have the version 5. something (5.6?) software in the review car, so it isn't the final version. They even commented that it's supposed to have version 6 but doesn't.

This is why I think they should have waited for these press reviews until they had a final spec car, with final spec software and performance. I know everybody has been hammering them for info, but this has just created more angst and uncertainty instead of scratching the itch for more info in a positive way.

They should NOT have allowed these pre-production cars to be road tested/compared to finished competitor cars.

At this point....LOTUS.... just get the car right for production. We'll be okay with it. Owner reviews and experiences will do more for the car and brand than any press review. Get it right.

It’s version 6 of the product document, the same version I saw last Sept/Oct. The software referred in the review yesterday is the HCI (dashboard) software.

It appears they were between a rock and a hard place - allow not quite production cars to be reviewed, or delay and miss the window to get reviews out ahead of customer cars.

 

[NickR]

400 is adequate in a road car, but was the benchmark for Cayman and M2 Comp three/four years ago. I do agree launching with 416 would have moved the game on and given the Emira a much needed advantage. New M2 will have 455bhp...

I don't think you'll notice 16hp especially as the torque is the same as the 416.
430 would have been nice for the fe, we know both engine and transmission can do it. I expect a software remap could do it

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Top line is the one

 

[First Lotus]

Other manufacturers (like Porsche) have very strict rules around what journalists can/cannot do during reviews, especially for non-production cars. They also have a bunch of engineers onsite to resolve issues and deal with any questions. It seems Lotus was quite liberal in allowing reviewers to do what they wanted with pre-production cars which might have come back to bite.

If Lotus were better organised, they would have had two car setups (track and sport) available to each reviewer, ability to do tyre swaps (e.g. sports + goodyear or sport + cup2) with engineers directly on hand. Reviewers like EVO / Jethro could then complain directly to the engineers and either get explanations, a different car or tyre setup and maybe some more design detail over a lunch and learn event.

OMG... Could you imagine how useful that wouldve been to all of us still wrangling with set up choice!
Every review is subjective, but if the same reviewer had compared all the options that would've been great.
But could you imagine how dull for everyone else who hasn't bought a car..

 

[xen]

I recommend everyone have a listen to this. It comes across fairly balanced with a bit more nuance than you get from a YouTube / print review.

 

[Matthaus]

September from what I heard.

Thanks Tom.

That's a long time. But I guess earlier than I have to commit if it goes Pete Tong with the AMG.