Lotus has a history of producing innovative sports cars with exotic styling. From the Esprit’s futuristic shape to the Elise’s bonded aluminum chassis, Lotus cars have a heritage of leading-edge looks and performance. And the new Lotus Emira continues that tradition.

The Emira will be the final ICE-powered model from Lotus as the company looks toward an all-electric future. For that reason, it’s especially appealing to those who love climbing through the revs and hearing an engine sing. And with its balance of performance and comfort, it’s a well-rounded ride no matter the trip.

Let’s take a closer look at the new Emira and how much it costs with all the bells and whistles.

2023 Lotus Emira: design and features

With its Formula 1 heritage, Lotus knows performance. Founded in 1952 by Colin Chapman, the British company brought racing know-how to the streets. Chapman once said, “Simplify, then add lightness,” relaying the automaker’s philosophy of lightweight cars with neutral handling. And the Emira carries on that theme, along with an advanced powertrain and singular style. Here are the details.

Exterior-wise, the Lotus Emira has a captivating presence on the streets. With sinewy bodywork and a bubble-like cockpit, it looks more fighter jet than a production vehicle. A mid-engine layout gives it classic exotic car proportions, with a central passenger compartment and short overhangs front and rear. Rear fender-mounted air intakes show its high-performance intent. In short, it’s like nothing else on the road.

And all that style isn’t just for show. The Emira produces more downforce than any car in its class for enhanced stick as speeds increase. That’s achieved via innovative engineering instead of garish wings and spoilers.

An extruded aluminum chassis helps keep weight down, and hydraulic steering ensures excellent feel. Buyers can pick from a Sport or Touring chassis/suspension setup for elevated handling or enhanced comfort.

As for powerplants, Emira drivers have two options. To start, there’s an AMG-sourced turbo 2.0-liter four with 360 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Next is a Toyota-based supercharged 3.5-liter V6 that makes 400 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The turbo 2.0-liter engine uses a racy dual-clutch eight-speed auto, while the supercharged 3.5-liter engine can be had with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed auto. Rear-wheel drive optimizes steering and traction.

Inside, the Emira demonstrates commendable comfort and convenience. The design is clean and upscale, with high-quality materials and plenty of tech. Leather sports seats with heavy bolstering bring support during high-G cornering. A flat-bottom steering wheel with a yellow steering position stripe looks ready for the track. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment bring useful technology. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto add seamless connectivity.

What do you get with the 2023 Lotus Emira?

Lotus offers several Emira trims, from basic, function-first builds to limited-edition, luxurious models. Let’s take a look.

The new Emira comes in the following trims (prices plus destination):

• I4 Turbocharged (pricing unavailable)

• I4 First Edition: $99,000

• V6 Supercharged (pricing unavailable)

• V6 Supercharged First Edition: $105,400

With every option selected, a V6 Supercharged First Edition costs $110,170. Here’s how we got there.

For an easier ride around town, the six-speed auto costs $2,150. We then selected the Sport chassis for optimal handling on the streets or track (no cost).

Dark Verdant paint ($0) added a sleek British feel. The Black Pack ($1,400) brought subtle curb appeal with a gloss black roof, mirror backs, and side blades.

Gloss black ultra-lightweight V-spoke forged alloy wheels ($0) continued the build’s low-key theme, and yellow brake calipers ($0) contrasted nicely with the green paint. We also opted for Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires ($0) for even more track-day grip.

Inside, Ice Grey leather seats ($0) brought a cool, tailored feel. A black leather steering wheel with a TDC marker ($530) brought track-ready function.

For additional reassurance, the Scorpion Vehicle Tracker ($690) seemed like a good idea.

Is the 2023 Lotus Emira worth the cost?

At around $100,000, the Lotus Emira isn’t cheap. Price-wise, that slots above the Chevy Corvette (base price $64,500) and close to the legendary Porsche 911 Carrera (base price $116,050). So, is the Lotus worth the money? In our opinion, yes. Here’s why.

More than anything, the Emira is a truly unique ride. With its limited production and rarity on the streets, this British sports car has an exotic presence. Not only that, but its singular styling is dramatic and strong.

With the company’s sports car expertise, the Emira is an excellent pick for the serious enthusiast. Car and Driver praised the Lotus for its steering feel and cornering grip, showing the Emira’s made for pushing the limits.

Add to that Lotus typical innovations like an extruded aluminum chassis and downforce-producing bodywork, and you’ve got the blueprint for a focused driving machine.

While traditional picks like the Corvette and 911 are impressive in their own right, they don’t have the special cachet of a low-production British sports car.

The 2023 Lotus Emira is a pure sports car, unlike anything on the road. From its chiseled bodywork to its aluminum chassis, the Emira sets itself apart from its peers. No matter the trim, drivers get a vehicle focused on sporting performance with trusted powerplants from major manufacturers. For driving enthusiasts, the Emira is worth the money.