Lotus Emira
What Car? UK|March 2023
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
Lotus Emira

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.

Denne historien er fra March 2023-utgaven av What Car? UK.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra March 2023-utgaven av What Car? UK.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA WHAT CAR? UKSe alt
Lexus RZ 450e+ Takumi Bi-tone
What Car? UK

Lexus RZ 450e+ Takumi Bi-tone

Greater stamina and a lower price would have enhanced our opinion of this upmarket electric SUV

time-read
3 mins  |
Ocotber 2024
Audi A6 Avant 45 TFSI quattro Sport
What Car? UK

Audi A6 Avant 45 TFSI quattro Sport

Our new posh estate has to deal with a mega-miles commute and an older sibling. How will it get on?

time-read
3 mins  |
Ocotber 2024
Renault Clio 1.0 TCe 90 Evolution
What Car? UK

Renault Clio 1.0 TCe 90 Evolution

It's our reigning Small Car of the Year, but will the latest Clio continue to impress in daily use? We're finding out

time-read
3 mins  |
Ocotber 2024
ALL POSHED UP
What Car? UK

ALL POSHED UP

Looking to buy an upmarket SUV? For around £35,000, you could have a new Lexus LBX or a used BMW X1. Let's see where your money should go

time-read
7 mins  |
Ocotber 2024
JOINING UP THE TOTS
What Car? UK

JOINING UP THE TOTS

Small, cheap cars bring numerous benefits, especially if most of your driving is around town. We take three leading examples on a road trip to see which of them paints the most complete picture

time-read
10+ mins  |
Ocotber 2024
GRIPPING STUFF
What Car? UK

GRIPPING STUFF

Tyre choice can make a huge difference to how your car behaves in changeable weather. We search for the best

time-read
10+ mins  |
Ocotber 2024
Audi A6 e-tron
What Car? UK

Audi A6 e-tron

BMW i5 rival uses the same tech as the Q6 e-tron SUV for serious pace and range On sale Late 2024 Price from £62,000 (est)

time-read
3 mins  |
Ocotber 2024
Renault Symbioz
What Car? UK

Renault Symbioz

Slightly smaller than Renault's existing Austral, this new hybrid family SUV has its sights set firmly on the popular Nissan Qashqai On sale Now Price from £29,295

time-read
3 mins  |
Ocotber 2024
Volkswagen Golf
What Car? UK

Volkswagen Golf

Family car celebrates its 50th birthday with an update, including much-improved infotainment On sale Now Price from £27,035

time-read
2 mins  |
Ocotber 2024
Hyundai Tucson
What Car? UK

Hyundai Tucson

Update for Hyundai's family SUV includes a redesigned interior and a revised engine line-up On sale Now Price from £32,000

time-read
2 mins  |
Ocotber 2024