2024 Lotus Emira Engine Dilemma Answered, I4 and V6 Are Both Good in Their Own Way

Around one year ago, Lotus said it would start deliveries of the Emira in the US in the second quarter of 2023. But here we are – summer is nearly ending, and only a couple of lucky customers got their hands on the two-door sports car.

However, the Chinese-owned British automaker told its US and Canadian dealers that there would be a delay right before the first quarter of 2023 ended. That's not because of production woes but due to emissions testing certifications. Emira units are already arriving in the US, but dealers will be able to release them to customers stateside sometime in early November. Until then, they'll remain at the port of entry.

To make Americans feel just a tad bit happier about owning an Emira, Lotus has added 600 First Edition units. Initially, only 900 of these V6-powered sports cars were reserved for the US. At the same time, new colors became available, and a price hike was confirmed.

If you're a pre-order holder, continue reading for a good comparison between the powerplants that can reside under Emira's hood (or, as some say, behind the trunk).

No replacement for displacement?

If you're not among the early adopters, that's even better. All the non-First Edition Emiras will be made in 2024 as 2025 model-year vehicles. That guarantees some quirks will be worked out, and your car won't have to stay in a port somewhere for months.

At the time of writing, we have two versions of the Emira available – the Mercedes-AMG-powered one that costs $99,900 in First Edition trim before taxes and fees and the Toyota V6-equipped unit with a starting price tag of $105,400 for a similar spec. These values are subject to change, so ask a dealer about the damage such an acquisition will incur to your finances. Keep in mind that this mid-engine sports car was supposed to have a starting cost of $77,100 before any options and packages.

This mini-McLaren-looking Lotus with some Ferrari design cues is, however, one of the few new two-door vehicles that genuinely tries to give the driver a real connection with the road. It may sound cliché, but this company is manufacturing one of the last pure sports cars. Some would easily choose it over various Porsches, Jaguars, Alfas, Hondas, Audis, and, dare we say it, even over a Corvette Stingray.

So, which Emira would be the best choice: the version with a four-cylinder engine or the one with a tuned Toyota-sourced V6 powerplant? Harry Metcalfe – Evo magazine founder and successful farmer – decided to give all of us an answer to this vital question together with his son.

Looking beyond the two absent cylinders

Let's look at the numbers first. The turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four borrowed from Mercedes-AMG puts out 360 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The supercharged 3.5-liter V6 develops 400 hp (on par with models like the Nissan Z) and 310 lb-ft of torque.

Customers can pair the V6 with a six-speed manual or automatic, whereas the four-pot can only be connected with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Purists will argue that the manual gearbox makes the most sense with such a vehicle, but it's worth remembering why the automaker gives us these options – to choose whatever fits our lifestyle. Thus, you and I should focus on what we want to spend our money on and not on what others have to say.

In true sports car fashion, all the power is only sent to the rear wheels. But the AMG-sourced engine boasts just a smidge more torque than the tuned Toyota powerplant. Could that difference sway one away from getting the V6?

Visually, there's no real difference between them. Metcalfe luckily received a press car with the inline-four engine in the same Nimbus Grey color as his own V6-powered Emira. That allowed us to quickly discover that no matter what displacement and type of forced induction one may choose, the vehicle exterior won't give it away. The I4 Emira is only betrayed by a front fender radiator for an oil cooler that's elegantly hidden away and the engine cover that doesn't say V6 on it.

Siblings, but not twins

Performance-wise, the inline-four engine paired with the dual-clutch transmission (DCT) offers a relaxed approach. The turbocharger's whistle is immediately noticed since the engine sits right behind the driver and the passenger. The following observable aspect, says Metcalfe, is the gear ratio – getting to 60 mph requires the third speed to be engaged. Another advantage of the AMG engine and the DCT is more storage room. Instead of looking at the mechanical wonder of a manual transmission through a net, that space is transformed into a dedicated place for your phone or wallet. There's a USB port as well.

The man quickly sprints in Sport Mode from 35 mph to over 70 mph, which leaves him with the conclusion that the Emira with two fewer cylinders almost matches the performance of the V6. Metcalfe admits, however, that the Toyota-sourced powerplant has more pull toward the top end. However, the four-cylinder engine's slightly better torque works wonders for the driving experience.

On top of that, the AMG-powered Emira's center of gravity is a tad bit lower down than the one with the Toyota powerplant, thanks to the engine layout and the transmission positioning. That helps with the dynamics, making the sports car feel ever so slightly nimbler than the model with two more cylinders and a supercharger on top.

Metcalfe likes it and even enjoys the DCT because it allows him to stay focused on handling – the driving aspect Lotus was built for. It put a big smile on his face. That's despite him owning the V6-powered model you can observe in the photo gallery and the video below.

"I think I would be quicker in the I4 Emira than the V6 if you put me on track," said the experienced auto journalist. But he admits there's no moving away from the mild sound of a four-pot. The tuned Toyota engine just makes a better noise.

The perfect Emira is... Your Emira!

But when the son gets behind the wheel, he says that a manual gearbox is better for those looking to be wholly involved in the driving experience. The dad immediately agrees, and we cannot say it isn't so. The DCT may allow the person behind the wheel to be faster on the track or more comfortable in traffic, but the six-speed manual completes the entire Lotus Emira story. It's simply more engaging.

However, the father and the son underline that the AMG engine is less thirsty than the V6. It may not be such an important characteristic for sports cars, but if this becomes your only means of transportation... Well, it'll matter a lot in the long run running costs-wise.

But the younger member of the Metcalfe family says he would buy the Emira with the four-cylinder rather than the Toyota powerplant because it would be a better daily driver. In contrast, the dad already owns the supercharged six-cylinder unit.

At the end of the day, is it worth giving up on the greatness of a 911 Carrera, the simple coolness of a 718 Cayman S, or the Kentucky-made V8-powered Corvette for a Lotus? Or does a Nissan Z hold more appeal considering its MSRP? You could also wait for Alpine's US expansion to the US with all-electric models since the French automaker decided to give up on federalizing the A110 lineup.

It's up to you to decide.