It will probably be the last vehicle from Lotus Cars to be equipped exclusively with an internal combustion engine, but one thing is certain: the new Lotus Emira is the first from the noble car brand to be equipped with an audio system from KEF and thus with a KEF Uni-Q chassis.
On the occasion of the presentation of the new Lotus Emira, Lotus Cars does not speak of another sports car, but rather of the Lotus Emira as the other sports car. A new icon is born.
Lotus Emira – Exotic supercar appeal in the sports car segment
Lotus Cars describes the new Lotus Emira as a mid-engined sports car based on Lotus Cars’ new Sports Car Architecture. It uses a single-bonded aluminium body, which makes the car 4.41 m long, 1.9 m wide and 1.23 m high.
Under the bonnet is either an adapted 3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine from Toyota, or a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine from new technology partner AMG. Both variants offer sufficient horsepower, 400 hp and 360 hp respectively. With the V6, the driver can choose between a manual six-speed transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission, while the AMG unit is equipped with an eight-speed dual clutch transmission from AMG.
The impressive lines on the outside are to be reinforced by an equally outstanding design on the inside. Here, however, we are most interested in the car’s infotainment system.
Infotainment System with Premium Sound System from KEF
Access to the car’s infotainment system is via a 10.25-inch touchscreen in the centre, with an additional 12.3-inch TFT driver display behind the steering wheel. Of course, this infotainment system offers easy access to a wide range of content, including Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto.
Exclusive to Lotus Cars and making its debut in the Lotus Emira is a 10-channel premium sound system developed by KEF.
This is the UK company’s first ever automotive partnership and, of course, it uses KEF’s trademark Uni-Q driver technology.
The KEF Uni-Q driver is a unique combination of a midrange driver and tweeter in a coaxial arrangement that perfectly matches the ideal of a point source.
KEF’s Uni-Q driver has been continually refined over many, many years and delivers a highly accurate, dynamic performance. This is how it should be in the new Lotus Emira, where the manufacturer promises a more coherent, hyper-realistic sound experience.
Very comfortable for a sports car
It’s hard to believe, but looking at the equipment list, this seems more like a saloon than a sports car. Keyless-go, adaptive cruise control and speed limiter, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, electrically folding door mirrors, electrically adjustable seats, all-LES exterior lighting, anti-collision system, drowsiness warning, traffic sign information, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane change assistant – all well designed to cruise comfortably through the countryside – with the right music in your ears via the KEF sound system.
The best thing about this new runabout with a top speed of 290 km/h: it is a very affordable vehicle. After all, the manufacturer quotes a price point of less than € 72,000 for the Lotus Emira, at least as an entry-level model. However, one will have to be patient, because the vehicle, which is now presented at the company’s new headquarters in Hethel, UK, will not be on the market until 2022. The V6 models are to be launched in the spring, and the four-cylinder version in the summer of 2022.
Getting to the point
For the first time, the English loudspeaker manufacturer KEF has entered into a partnership in the automotive segment, and has not only chosen a prestigious partner in Lotus Cars for this premiere, but also a truly impressive vehicle, namely the new Lotus Emira. This will be on the road from next year with a powerful premium audio system capable of speeds of up to 290 km/h, relying on KEF Uni-Q chassis for the finest sound in a refined interior.
| Manufacturer: | Lotus Cars |
| Distribution: | Lotus Cars |
| Price: | from approx. € 72.000,- |
