Lotus Emira

The final petrol-powered Lotus ever has a lot to live up to - so is the Emira a fitting last hurrah? On sale Now Price from £75,995

- Neil Winn

JUST AS THE Beatles' Savile Row rooftop gig marked both the end of something (the band) and the beginning of a new era of music (Imagine, anyone?), the Emira is the last Lotus with a petrol engine before the British brand plugs itself into an electric future. As such, it's a big deal for Lotus. If the Emira is good, it could be as iconic as Get Back. But if it's merely average, it might sink like a Yellow Submarine.

From launch, the Emira is powered by a 400bhp supercharged 3.5-litre V6 (sourced from Toyota) that sounds fantastic. A MercedesAMG turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 360bhp will follow later.

When you push the Emira's starter button - after lifting its bright red rocker cover the engine blares into life with real enthusiasm before settling into a deep timbre at idle. So, it's a real shame that the car's performance doesn't quite live up to the menacing soundtrack.