Has Lotus fixed its gearbox woes in the new Emira models?
Lotus has changed. Once it was a brand that excelled in producing small, lightweight cars that were packed with character and were a formidable on-track force. As much as the brand retains this DNA, its cars are getting more serious. When the Emira landed in SA a few years ago, its stunning exterior masked a couple of flaws, mostly found in the transmission and cooling system. Lotus listened, and now we not only have a slightly refined V6 Emira and entry-level Turbo offering but across the range, the standard Emira has been fine-tuned.
This new V6 Emira is called the V6 SE, and although there have been no power increases over the standard V6, it has been tuned for a sharper and more thrilling driving experience. It retains its supercharged V6 that pumps out 298kW with an LSD in the rear and offers a 0-100km/h time of 4.3 seconds. But the transmission has seen some much-needed attention. When we tested the V6 a few years back, I distinctly remember Lerato mentioning that it’s a great car; just the gearbox's off-kilter synchromesh. You can read his in-depth review here. Well, this 6-speed manual has a new compression mount for more precise gear changes, and that could be precisely what this car needs.
While the V6 SE may not be a performance-focused special edition, it has seen some refinements to facilitate improved daily driving and cornering accuracy. Optimised damper calibration and adjustments to the wheel alignment are claimed to benefit ride quality and cornering accuracy. The cooling system has also been improved for faster cooling via the gearbox oil cooler and radiator. This ensures you can spend more time out on track at less damaging temperatures thanks to Lotus re-routing the cooling lines. This decreases the car's weight too. The cooling and gearbox calibration have also been improved on the Emira Turbo SE’s AMG power unit and 8-speed gearbox for faster gear changes, lower engine temperatures, and improved gear change smoothness.
The biggest adaptation to the V6 SE is its customisation. Firstly, the SE is finished in zinc-grey paintwork with V6 SE badges. It also comes with the Black Pack, 20-inch forged alloy wheels, sports pedals with Alcantara interior finishes, and, of course, red brake callipers to top it off. The SE model includes all these features as standard, but, for buyers seeking a more bespoke vehicle, there are still more options available, including 15 exterior shades, seven interior styles, four colours for brake callipers, and eight different wheel designs. There's also the Racing Line specification which lets owners customise the SE model with a pinstripe along the car in yellow, red or silver. The mirror caps also receive the same colour through this option.
But if you don’t fancy the R2,550,000 price tag on the V6, the 4-cylinder Turbo SE has been simplified with an entry-level Turbo model. It makes use of the same AMG 4-cylinder twin-scroll engine and 8-speed DCT gearbox as the Turbo SE. However, the power has been tuned down, from 294kW to 269kW and offers a 0-100km/h time of 4.4 seconds. This is only 0.1 seconds off the supercharged V6 and 0.4 seconds slower than the Turbo SE. I know what you are thinking, how is the V6 the slower option? Well, it mostly comes down to weight and a stronger focus on the lower-speed handling and performance in the Turbo models. The base model Turbo comes in at R1,903,600 overseas and will likely come in at the R2m mark if it launches in South Africa.
Although these changes are subtle, they are sure to significantly improve the car's driving experience. Even the exterior touches, as minor as they may be, add aggression to the car's aesthetic without overdoing it, and it looks incredible. The main focus of this update is to enhance the car's mechanical refinement, and I appreciate it when brands positively embrace feedback with the aim of further improving their vehicles. Although the changes may seem minor, they have the potential to positively impact the overall experience.
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