Performance Review: Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo - [2023]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus Emira Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo is the 8 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2023. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Stradale 4.0 V8 Hybrid.This particular Lotus Emira has a 1991cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Emira shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Emira's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1446 kgs (3187 lbs) this makes the Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Lotus Emira shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 1991cc 16V St4 engine produces 360 bhp (268 kW) @ 6600 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 317 lb-ft (429.7 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Lotus Emira you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (273.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus Emira.

The Lotus Emira has a Power to weight ratio of 248.9 bhp per ton and 219.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2023 Emira competing with the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (273.6 bhp per ton) or the 2015 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG (273.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Lotus Emira generating around 219.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2012 BMW 6 Series M6 Cabriolet 4.4 V8 (244.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2004 Mercedes SLK Class 55 AMG (244.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.4 secs, this made the Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo as fast as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (4.30 secs) the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the or the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (4.30 secs). This Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2020 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the and the 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Emira and the 2009 Jaguar XF 4.2 V8 Supercharged

When talking about the performance of the Lotus Emira on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.15 secs @ 104.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Jaguar XF 4.2 V8 Supercharged (13.09 secs), the 2016 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Sportback (13.09 secs), and the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Sport Coupe 1st Gen (13.11 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2023 version of the Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo has a maximum speed of 180mph.

Top Speed of the 2023 Emira equals the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (191 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo then how about the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (191 mph), the 2022 BMW 4 Series M4 CSL 3.0 Twin Turbo G82 (191 mph), or the 2021 Nissan NSX Type S 3.5L V6 (191 mph).

Related Links:

2023 Emira Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison