Lotus is refreshing its Emira sports car for the 2026 model year and releasing two new variants, a lower-cost Turbo variant and a sharper V6 SE flagship. With these updates, Lotus maintains its renowned lightweight, driver-oriented ethos as it transitions to electric-only cars in the future. Let's sort through some of the updates and what's relevant for US car enthusiasts.
A New Lower-Cost Turbo for More Fans
The big introduction is the new entry-level Emira Turbo. The Turbo is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine sourced from Mercedes-AMG, delivering 360 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. In other words, it will do 0 to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds while having a top speed of 171 mph.
Not surprisingly, to keep costs down, the Turbo loses some of the sport-oriented active suspension features and two-piece brakes available in the higher trims. Have no fear — you still receive significant comfort and tech features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and electronically adjustable seats. With a starting price of approximately £79,500 in the UK market, the Turbo variant is offered to widen accessibility to the Emira experience — we hope this variant will be available in US dealerships soon.
Turbo SE Maintains the Punch
If you're looking for that signature Emira power, the Turbo SE packs the original 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine delivering a solid 400 horsepower. It's able to deliver 354 lb-ft of torque and was designed to accelerate from 0-62 mph in four seconds flat and is capped out at 181 mph.
The car features the Lotus Drivers Pack as standard, offering enhanced suspension setup, performance-tuned cross-drilled brakes, and built-in launch control for quicker takeoffs. The Turbo SE's status is influenced by its 20-inch forged wheels and even comes with the distinctive Extended Black Pack, which starts at around £89,500 in the UK. This compressed performance model is what Lotus fans love, it has good power, is still able to be handled and in a stylish offering.
Sharpened and Sportier V6 SE Flagship
The V6 is the top-tier Emira and was built for the driving purists last internal combustion Lotus as a send-off. It features the 3.5-liter supercharged V6 engine from Toyota which can deliver up to 400 horsepower and up to 317 lb-ft of torque (when equipped with the automatic).
The decision comes down to either a 6-speed manual with a limited-slip differential or a 6-speed automatic. A new compression mount has been added to the manual transmission, delivering more precise gear shifts — a detail that true driving enthusiasts will definitely appreciate. Suspension has been retuned for more immediate responses and a more comfortable ride. It also gets red brake calipers, details of Alcantara on the interior, and new exterior colors such as EOS Green or Purple Haze. Prices start from £96,500 in the UK or €117,500 in Germany.
Shared Benefits Across the Range
The following is the complete technical refresh for all 2026 Emira models: An updated cooling system to better cope with heat under enthusiastic driving conditions, faster and smoother shifts of the dual-clutch eight-speed transmission in four-cylinder models, and a new infotainment system with a digital 10.25-inch instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2026 Lotus Emira Specifications
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conclusion
The 2026 Lotus Emira updates are the perfect farewell to the last internal combustion engines from Lotus. The new entry-level Turbo brings Lotus magic to more enthusiasts, while the V6 SE offers precision and power. With the technical updates to the car and new styling, the Emira is living proof Lotus is robust and good to go into the future with electric models. If you were looking for pure, exciting driving, the 2026 Emira is a final farewell to celebrate.
Source(Image / Thumbnail): carscoops
