CharadeSG: NewCar: Lotus Emira Turbo SE launch

Lotus has announced the introduction of the Emira Turbo SE, its newest variant of the Emira now offered for sale in Singapore.

I was intrigued to go down since it is a Lotus launch after all, but especially since they had actually brought along a Turbo Esprit to be showcased next to the SE Turbo, the 80's supercar wedge that anything with a strong taste of the 1980's would absolutely love.

The Emira Turbo SE is different; a touch above the First Edition, replacing the 3.5L Toyota V6 plus the popular manual option with a 2.0L Turbo four-pot engine derived from Mercedes AMG, paired only with a 8-speed DCT gearbox. The car is quoted to shift from a standstill to triple km/h in roughly 0.3 seconds faster than the V6 manual.

The Turbo SE in Singapore is to be sold at a starting price of S$548,800, excluding COE and options.

What differs the Turbo SE from the First Edition is the standard and unique for the Turbo SE - Lotus Driver's Pack. Standby with me for a bit of confusion.

The 1st Edition also comes with a Lotus Driver Pack (Without the 's in the option), without the 's in the option in the Emira configurator, and only comes with "2" features - Track Mode (ESP).

For the Turbo SE, the Lotus Driver's Pack is two options - with sports suspension and with touring suspension. To me, these specification differences is the same selection as the 1st Edition's chassis choices - Touring and Sports.

The difference with the Turbo SE is the Lotus Driver's Pack bundles the Lotus Driver Pack with the Chassis options, as per my understanding.

Featured with the Lotus Driver's Pack for the Emira SE Turbo is a Track Mode HMI / TFT display - graphical and user interface changes on the screen display. Launch control is added with the package, as is switchable exhaust sounds based on drive mode - exhaust valves that the normal 2.0L 1st Edition does not have.

Cosmetics that differ are also standard option Satin Grey 20" V-spoke forged wheels, Zinc Grey paintwork and red brake calipers.

The Turbo SE also features more unique badging, replacing the yellow background Lotus badges with black badging and unique badging for the Turbo SE model.

The 2.0L AMG-derived twin-scroll turbocharged 4-cylinder outputs 400BHP and 480Nm, decreasing the amount of time needed to hit 0-100km/h to 4.0 seconds flat, improving a bit on the Emira 1st Edition. Top speed is also uprated to 290 km/h.

The Turbo SE nameplate harps back to older Lotus models, the SE being a 'Special Equipment' package, hence SE. The SE first made its appearance in the Type 14 Elite, stemming to many other cars that Lotus has since then produced throughout the company's lifespan. Although, not all received the SE designation in their official name, some models receiving the package only as an optional extra that did not alter model designation.

Cars with the SE nameplate includes the Elan SE (M100), Esprit Turbo SE (Steven's Esprit), Europa SE (Type 121), Excel SE (Type 89).

'Turbo' you could guess also is lineage-based, sharing the same classic font that the Turbo Esprit uses and at the same area of the car. The bonus is that the 2.0L also comes turbocharged.

If the cosmetic looks of the Turbo SE press model isn't fully to your tastes, Lotus still has a website available for you to spec your most ideal Emira, and many of the standard fit cosmetics can still be replaced by other available options. I was particularly interested with the Turbo SE decals but the configurator doesn't have the option anywhere, as is the stripes.

Image Credit: lotuscars.com

From an enthusiast standpoint (who doesn't have the appropriate funds to support the claim anyway), I feel the V6 manual is probably the one to have. Lotus at the very least I feel may benefit with something very enthusiast-oriented like the Elise's of old, something at a minimum with a manual gearbox. Lotus cars are definitely two things - Speed and fun.

I would say that the Emira should have another manual box like many other definitely would also say, and yeah, it would definitely be nice to have one, but unless there is enough demand for Lotus to justify a whole new 2 seater chassis to supersede the Elise nameplate directly or entry-level models like the Elan, they're probably not going to spend the development budget for an outdated philosophy that is the manual box.

Owned under Geely, I doubt they will be able to get such an idea out of the suggestion box, especially when sales for Lotus cars hasn't really been meeting sales targets.

Joined with this event on Friday is not just an Esprit, but additionally the more conventional models that are the Electre SUV and Emeya saloon, plus two Emira 1st Edition's.

The Lotus group had an unofficial convoy drive to the event located in New Bahru and I was definitely keen to join, but as fate would have had it, what I suspect were my sparkplugs or fuel-injected related stranded the Elan the night before the event.

Below are the rest of my photos, plus some filler text about what I think about them, maybe some technicals as well and what not.

Lotus Emira Turbo SE

Over the outgoing Evora, the Emira has definitely proven to have been a better success. Where Singapore and maybe other countries could be applicable, I have seen more Emira's on the road by coincidence than Evora's.

I personally wonder how the 4-cylinder Emira's will do in the resale market. These definitely will become a future classic, but I am really interested to see how these will differ in value compared to the Emira V6's. So far, I see no huge complaints about the downsizing of the engine, only really the manual box being removed.

Its nice to see Lotus following its lineage, especially concerning a more well-known nameplate. The Electre and Emeya do actually conform to Lotus' trim naming philosphy; both the 'S' and 'R' trims have existed on older models, but at a surface glance, you probably wouldn't have realized it. I didn't until I was looking for other models of the same trim name.

I do think that a petrolhead in the Lotus marketing team was itching to throw this trim name across the board room as soon as Lotus was planning to release the 4-cylinder Emira. Contrary to its looks, the original Turbo Esprit was actually powered by a 4-cylinder too, until the updated Steven's Esprit body style came along, where Lotus finally introduced the Esprit V8.

In other words, this 'Turbo' nameplate actually directly follows its predesessors that once honed it.

Looks wise, Ferrari. That's the best way I can talk about the Emira and how it looks. Personally as someone of older taste, maybe an aftermarket company if they really felt the need to can make bigger grille-mounted foglights. Color wise for the Turbo SE I am incredibly split on; I'm not so keen on the chosen colorway.

Don't get me wrong, it is nice and all, but I'm wondering why this shade and color combination was chosen; older models like the Turbo Esprit has had a more recognizable and vibrant colorway.

Grey and black to me will just blend into its surrounding environment and traffic more than the 1st Edition's seemingly synonymous Seneca Blue paintwork.

With the Emira's original launch, I can vividly remember the bright blue paintwork, and while I don't believe its the Emira's official halo color per se, its a color that I feel you and I can say is synonymous with the Emira. I feel someone should replicate the white and red design of the old Turbo Esprit, I would really like to see how it would look.

Less about my opinions, this press unit appears to be the base Turbo SE specification plus the decals that I haven't found the options for on the configurator.

As described before, the Turbo SE receives factory red calipers. The shown color is the base Zinc Grey paintwork, the only other paintwork that isn't a paid option being Vivid Red.

Base option to the Turbo SE is also the Extended lower Black pack, painting more components in gloss Black. Your exhaust tailpipe finishers, rear Lotus logo, front air blades, front splitter, side sills and rear diffuser.

Based on the configurator, anything on the side and front between both Black Pack options are negligible and hard to spot. The primary difference viewable from the configurator and perhaps in person is the blacked out exhaust tips and rear Lotus badges.

Included also is the stock option for wheels, the 20" V-Spoke ultra-lightweight satin Grey option. Silver is the only unpaid option, the rest like the diamond turned options that can be seen on the corresponding 1st Editions are optional paid options for the Turbo SE.

Part of me wonders how many of these will I see in the next few years,
I hope quite a few before Lotus goes fully electric

Lotus Turbo Esprit

I'm biased. Full disclosure, I'm wholly biased to this. Having researched a little bit into these cars on local soil and I'm surprised there's quite a few of them.

To those not in the know, these unlike the assumption that they are alike a contemporary for the time Ferrari or Lamborghini, uses a 2.2L turbocharged 4-cylinder. As exotic-looking as those manufacturers, these actually do not come with the same type of firebreather under the bonnet. No V8 or V12 intended at the time, the Turbo Esprit made 210HP and 271Nm. (early models that used dry sump lubrication)

210 Horsepower definitely sounds comparably puny now, but Lotus cars aren't heavyweights either. Well, fine, not the old ones. Curb weight of around 1250KG allows the Turbo Esprit to land 0-100km/h times of roughly 5.6 seconds in period tests, outpacing the Ferrari 308 GTB and Porsche 911 SC of similar model year.

In similar terms with the Elan Turbo, ~165 Horsepower from a 1.6 brings the car to a quoted 0-100km/h time of around 6.4 seconds, whilst the contemporary Honda Civic SiR with a similar rating would do the same sprint in around 7-8 seconds. Of course, with those you would receive an extra set of seats, which the Elan definitely could use for someone like me. :(

The white and red colorway shown here is also the iconic color for the Turbo Esprit, most famously used in the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only in 1981.

Heaven is wedge shaped.

Additionally and of course, the 'turbo esprit' lettering is an iconic decal. I mean, the new Emira Turbo SE's bespoke stickers use the same format and font, as the owners of other models like the Elan M100 replicating it. I mean, mine has it.

I'd wager this is almost the spec to have - the essentially synonymous white and red colors and wheels to match, with the red interior it would be the one to own. But at least its not as much of a headache - both to look and maintain - as a black interior.

On an unrelated note, What confuses me is that I've assumed that this car has actually been using a red interior, with this image on SGCarMart of a 2024 sales listing depicting an identical car with a red interior.

However based on older posts and some distinctive features outside of the car, they're not the same car. But that one probably hasn't been seen in a long while, either. Suppose its another mystery with another unknown white Lotus.

Still, diversion aside, this has aged gracefully. Not contemporary to the current era but its no doubt a design that no matter how, is going to capture the attention of almost anybody.

Lotus Emeya S

Not Lotus' first Lotus badged saloon I suppose. I think where the enthusiast eye is concerned, saloon cars are still alright. I know people don't like the design - I personally dislike the front end but like the rear - and of course, until I get to sample many other Lotus cars before this, I cannot say if this is a true Lotus.

It is definitely go-fast on the straights like the Lotus Carlton - in a different and probably less popular method - but it does land that brief. However, as an image maker and as a low-volume car, definitely not what Lotus have had in mind if regarding sales, albeit sales have slumped for all models in the line-up.

Like the Carlton it is big for its time, look at the Kia Stonic parked next to it as a reference.

Lotus Electre S

Now this I myself cannot justify much, coming from someone with interest primarily in the older models. Geely's acquisition over Lotus and their attempt to pull Lotus upmarket has resulted in products like the Electre.

If its what keeps Lotus afloat, then so be it. People are now starting to understand Porsche's case of the Cayenne and Panamera - selling more common cars to keep the enthusiast side of cars possible.

I'm not all for the looks. not all for the idea, not all for the powertrain, but I'm not the target buyer. I do wonder cheekily that should I wave at one of these while on the move, will they wave back as would other owners?

Happy with the shot lineup

Lotus Emira 1st Edition

The good ol' crossover of the Lotus Evora and Elise Sport models to the (not) new Emira platform. What I mean is the Toyota 2GR-FE making its way into the Emira platform until its inevitable replacement of the Mercedes AMG M139 4-cylinder that is in the Turbo SE.

Where looks are concerned there's not really difference I see between the Turbo SE and 1st Editions - No bodywork changes.

The registered unit in front features the Full Black Pack, painting the roof and wing mirrors Gloss Black. Both units are in Seneca Blue, Diamond-Cut Ultra-lightweight V-Spoke Forged Alloy wheels and yellow caliper options.

As mentioned when I expressed my split view on the Turbo SE's choice of colors, the Seneca Blue has been a pretty well established color for the Emira. A newer coupe with a bright shade of blue and petrolheads would more than likely think of the Emira.

No doubt a very unique way of badging on a car

I saw some articles that the future successor to the Elise will start at about £75k. When the original S1 Elise was sold for around £40k adjusting for inflation, I wonder if sales of this successor will take off or not. I speculate on this disregarding whether or not Lotus will be able to keep it lightweight even as a EV, of which so far, the Electre and Emeya both weigh in at around 2.6 tons.

Elanmi (Lotus Elan M100)

Few words for the Elan as this post isn't about her. White and red colorway would probably allow it to blend with the Esprit. Other than that, no more words from me.