Lotus Emira i4 Is Last Of ICE Power For The Brand

The Lotus Emira i4 is now available for booking for those who want to grab the last of ICE-powered (internal combustion engine) Lotus. Lotus Cars Malaysia, the sole franchise holder for Lotus in Malaysia, is taking bookings for the 2.0L Emira i4 in First Edition form. The Emira i4 wears a special price of RM998,800, on-the-road fully taxed.

The exclusive offer for this final ICE-powered Lotus however, is valid only for cars made in 2023 before the actual price takes effect i.e. RM1,095,000 in Peninsular Malaysia and RM509,000 in duty-free Langkawi.

Using a 2.0L turbocharged aluminium engine and 8-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) sourced from Mercedes-AMG, this mid-engine 2-seater happens to be the most powerful 4-cylinder from Lotus. Further developments by Lotus include new intake and exhaust systems, and bespoke calibration matched to new transmission shift-mapping which enable the Emira i4 to deliver 360 bhp @ 6,600 rpm and 430 Nm of torque @ 3,000 – 5,500 rpm to the rear wheels. While it can do 0 – 100 km/h sprints in 4.4 seconds and achieve a top speed of 290 km/h, Lotus has also made this car for everyday usability, comfort and functionality.

Features of the high-performance 2.0L engine include an advanced chill-cast cylinder block, and lightweight, low friction components that can withstand high stresses. The steel crankshaft and aluminium pistons are also forged for optimal strength and weight balance. For maximum power, the piezo injectors are joined by the port fuel injectors to deliver the correct amount of petrol needed at full load. Meanwhile, the twin scorll turbocharger improves gas exchange efficiency, rapid boost pressure build-up and enhances responsiveness.

Like the critically-acclaimed and award-winning Emira V6, the Emira i4 is also produced at the Chapman Production Centre (CPC) in Hethel, named in honour of the company’s legendary founder. Lotus Advanced Structures in Norwich is responsible for the sub-assembly of the lightweight aluminium chassis structure. Both these world-class centres of excellence for sports car manufacturing are part of a £100 million investment by Lotus in its UK facilities.

The Emira’s light, stiff, bonded aluminium Lotus Sports Car Architecture bears a chassis with torsional stiffness of 26,300 Nm/degree allowing for immediate and precise responses. The use of a 4-cylinder engine also allows for a new, lightweight cast aluminium rear subframe that reduces the car’s weight by 12 kg compared to the V6. The subframe also houses the new rear suspension. The race-derived, lightweight, forged aluminium double-wishbone suspension also ensures great control of tyre contact throughout suspension travel, contributing to the Emira’s exceptional agility and responsiveness.

The Eibach springs and Bilstein high-pressure dampers are tuned to suit the Emira with different settings for the Tour and Sport chassis options. Tour is optimised for road use, offering softer springs and dampers, while Sport is track-focused with stiffer springs and dampers, together with increased camber and toe angles to maximise grip.

The Emira i4 comes with a choice of specially-developed tyres optimised for precision steering and traction i.e. 245/35 R20 in front and 295/30 R20 at the rear. The Tour chassis version is fitted with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tyres which are also available as an option for the Sports chassis. Exclusive to the Sports chassis are Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres designed for extreme track use without compromising ride comfort. Both tyres have ‘LTS’ markings on the sidewall to denote the Lotus-approved specification. Additionally, the braking system features lightweight, 2-piece, cross-drilled and slotted discs together with 4-piston callipers on the front axle. The branded callipers can be finished in a choice of 4 colours at no extra cost.

“As the final Lotus model to be propelled by a petrol engine, the Emira is a future classic. Its high performance, exceptional vehicle dynamics and meticulously tuned lightweight suspension, innovative steering system, aerodynamically designed exterior and driver-focused interior all combine to deliver the true sports car experience that customers expect from a Lotus,” said Jack Zaal, General Manager of Lotus Cars Malaysia.

Emira’s design is influenced by the Evija hypercar, with a set of full-LED headlights with signature double ‘blade’ daytime running lights (DRL) and angular bonnet ducts. Besides aesthetics, the bonnet ducts also guide airflow over the car to reduce drag. The sculpted doors with deployable handles also cut drag, while intake ducts are seamlessly integrated into the muscular rear haunches to aid engine cooling. Distinctive gloss black vents at the rear release air from the wheel arches, while also complementing the gloss black rear diffuser that houses the 2 exhaust pipes and number plate.

Through meticulous development using cutting-edge computational fluid dynamics simulations, and further refinement in the wind tunnel, the Emira i4 achieves perfectly balanced passive downforce at all speeds. The result is enhanced grip and handling characteristics without any active aerodynamic features.

For the cabin, the Emira i4 combines luxury, spaciousness, rich material and the latest technologies for a driver-focused experience. Above the flat-bottomed steering wheel is a 12.3″ TFT instrument cluster and at the centre of the dashboard is a 10.25″ infotainment system touchscreen with navigation and wireless Android Auto / Apple CarPlay connectivity. Further, the acoustically-optimised 10-channel, 560W premium audio system with 6 speakers developed with KEF features the signature Uni-Q technology which covers the entire mid and high-frequency sound spectrum for a more coherent, hyper-realistic sound experience.

For comfort, the seats are heated and have 12-way power-adjustment to provide complete support. The Nappa leather upholstery comes in colour options of black, red, ice grey or tan, or black Alcantara, with a choice of yellow, red or ice grey contrast stitching. Black Alcantara is also used for the headliner. Satin chrome trim finishers, white interior mood lighting and Lotus-branded sill kick plates complete the premium look. You can also opt for the same Nappa leather on the steering wheel with the top dead centre band and stitching available in yellow, red or ice grey.

For storage, there is 208 litres of space behind the seats and an additional 151 litres in the rear luggage compartment.

The Emira i4 First Edition also comes fully loaded with 4 option packs as standard. The Lower Black Pack adds contemporary gloss black accents to the roof, cantrails, mirror pods and the Lotus wordmark on the rear clamshell, while the exhaust finishers are satin black. The Design Pack adds privacy glass, sports pedals, a black Alcantara headliner and Emira-branded footwell mats. The Convenience Pack adds front parking sensors, rear reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers with aero blades, auto-dimming mirrors and rear luggage storage net.

Finally, the Lotus Drivers Pack gives you the option of Tour or Sports suspension. Either option also includes Track Mode ESP, with a new Track mode highlighted on the TFT instrument display screen which prioritises information required for high-performance driving.

The Lotus Emira i4 comes with 13 colour options i.e. Hethel Yellow, Magma Red, Vivid Red, Dark Verdant, Seneca Blue, Atlantis Blue, Meridian Blue, Osmium Silver, Nimbus Grey, Shadow Grey, Zinc Grey, Mist White and Cosmos Black. Completing its look are a set of 20″ ultra-lightweight forged wheels with diamond-cut finish and silver or gloss black colour options.

The first customer cars are expected to arrive this November. In the meantime, anyone interested in previewing the Emira i4 is welcome to visit the Lotus Store at Level 3, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur where the Emira V6, which is identical in exterior and interior styling is on display. The showroom is open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM. The boutique showroom offers a personalised experience with Lotus Experts on stand-by and an on-site configurator to spec your vehicle.

The Lotus Emira i4 comes with a 3-year unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranty.

For enquiries or to schedule an appointment with the Lotus Experts, contact 016-6112388. For more information, visit www.lotuscars.com.