Buying an exotic car is a stressful proposition for most consumers. Not only are they typically more expensive than your average vehicle, they oftentimes require specialized maintenance. This specialized maintenance can be intimidating and expensive, and unless you’re an avid exotic car or supercar rebuilder, chances are you aren’t going to tackle the tasks alone. Besides the initial price, these maintenance costs themselves can be prohibitive, and, on top of that, not all of those high-end exotic cars are known for being all that reliable, even brand new. That is part of what sets Lotus parts from other brands, as the new Lotus Emira, like the Exige, Evora, and Elise features a Toyota drivetrain.

It isn’t uncommon for major manufacturers to share components

As a Lotus owner, the major of flack that I get from other drivers is that my vehicle has a Toyota drivetrain. It seems that is because many consumers aren’t aware of just how often automotive manufacturers share bits and pieces. Lamborghini shares parts with Audi, which shares parts with Volkswagen, BMW shares parts with MINI, which shares parts with Rolls Royce. You can fall into quite a rabbit hole looking to see what brands share parts — and don’t even get me started on anything GM. The Lotus Emira also isn’t the first time we’ve seen a Toyota drivetrain in a Lotus vehicle — in fact, it isn’t even a new motor for the brand itself.

The Lotus Emira is a modern Lotus Evora in disguise

Part of what makes the Lotus Emira so desirable is that it’s the new shiny toy in the otherwise underrated brand’s lineup. It comes with a new body and modern styling, but it still has a Toyota drivetrain. In fact, the Lotus Emira V6 has the exact same Toyota engine that the Lotus Evora has: the Toyota 2GR-FE. This isn’t a bad thing, either, as this gives the Emira, as well as other Lotus cars, an appeal that you don’t see from other exotic cars.

They’re relatively easy to work on — as long as you don’t have to remove the rear clam, which can take several hours. Basic parts are not only easy to source but also affordable. Buyers can also be confident in the car’s reliability, as the 2GR-FE is popular in many other vehicles produced by Toyota, which are notoriously reliable and can last for hundreds of thousands of miles.

The 2022 Lotus Emira is still offered with a manual transmission

The next big question many Lotus fans and potential buyers have is whether or not the car is being produced with the option for a manual transmission. Happily, the British auto manufacturer has announced that the 2022 Lotus Emira will come with both options, a pleasant treat for buyers who are still looking for a manual driving experience in an ever-shrinking market. The 6-speed manual transmission is also from that of a Toyota, giving buyers a breath of fresh air in knowing not only is their vehicle’s entire drivetrain reliable but also available in the way of replacements or parts in the future.

While the 2022 Lotus Emira may be teased for having a Toyota engine, it’s actually one of the car’s most exciting features. It doesn’t mean this sports car is in any way underpowered or boring, with a reported 400 hp according to Lotus, the Emira was tested for a 0 – 60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph, leaving enthusiasts far from unimpressed for this Evora-like addition to the brand.