Lotus Emira mid-engine sports car, final petrol Lotus

Lotus

2026 Lotus Emira

Mid-engine sports car

On sale nowPetrol

From $199,990 plus on-road costs

The Emira is the final petrol-powered Lotus, a mid-engine two-seater on a bonded aluminium chassis built at Hethel that replaces the Elise, Exige and Evora at once.

From$199,990+ORC
Engine2.0L turbo-petrol I4
Warranty3 yrs / unlimited km

CarTell take

We haven't driven the Emira yet. On paper, confirm build-slot allocation in writing before transferring deposit, especially on the V6 SE run-out flagship. Future resale exposure is real once V6 production ends, the Emira is the last combustion Lotus we will get.

Why consider it

  • Mid-engine bonded aluminium chassis built at Hethel, set up for back-road feedback rather than circuit lap times.
  • The supercharged Toyota V6 with a real six-speed manual is unmatched at the price for analogue feel, and the AMG-sourced 2.0 turbo four brings DCT convenience for the everyday Emira buyer.

What to know

  • 208L rear boot plus 151L frunk locks it into weekend-bag territory.
  • 3-year factory warranty is short for the money, and the Lotus dealer network in Australia remains thin outside capitals.

Who it suits

Weekend drivers chasing B-road purity in a two-seat mid-engine sports car, manual diehards who want a factory six-speed bolted to a supercharged V6, collectors buying the last combustion Lotus, and track-day buyers after a chassis tuned for feedback over lap times.

Keen drivers

Pace and poise

Premium buyers

Cabin quality up top

Performance and ownership

The numbers that matter day to day.

2.0L turbo-petrol I4

Powertrain

3 yrs / unlimited km

Warranty

Grades and pricing

2 grades for Australia, plus on-road costs.
GradePrice fromEngineDriveKey differences
Emira Turbo$199,990 +ORC2.0L turbo-petrol I4RWD
Emira Turbo SE$209,990 +ORC2.0L turbo-petrol I4RWD

Emira Turbo

$199,990 +ORC

Engine
2.0L turbo-petrol I4
Drive
RWD

Emira Turbo SE

$209,990 +ORC

Engine
2.0L turbo-petrol I4
Drive
RWD

Practicality and safety

Not ANCAP rated

Safety rating. No Australian crash rating for this model yet

RWD

Drivetrain

Top rivals

Look at the alternatives if you need rear seats, you want a longer factory warranty than 3 years, you live somewhere with no Lotus dealer (the network is thin outside Sydney and Melbourne), or you want any hybrid assistance.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Lotus Emira in Australia in 2026?

Pricing opens at $199,990 plus on-roads for the Emira Turbo and tops out at $209,990 plus on-roads for the Emira Turbo SE, across 2 variants. Prices checked October 2026, so confirm with a dealer.

Is the Lotus Emira available with a manual gearbox?

Yes. The supercharged 3.5L Toyota V6 is still offered with a factory six-speed manual, alongside a six-speed automatic option. The 2.0 AMG turbo four is DCT-only.

How fast is the Lotus Emira?

Lotus claims 4.3 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h for the V6 and 4.4 seconds for the I4, with both topping out at 290 km/h.

Has cartell.live reviewed the Lotus Emira?

Not yet. Subscribe on YouTube to be first to see the Emira tested before V6 production ends.

The Lotus Emira in full

The Emira is the final petrol-powered Lotus, a mid-engine two-seater on a bonded aluminium chassis built at Hethel that replaces the Elise, Exige and Evora at once. Two engines are offered for Australia: a supercharged 3.5L Toyota V6 in 298 kW and 430 Nm form (six-speed manual or six-speed automatic), and an AMG-sourced 2.0 turbo four at 268 kW and 430 Nm with an eight-speed DCT only. No hybrid assist on either car.

From$199,990+ORC
View grades