Lotus is topping out the Emira lineup with the 420 Sport, the most powerful version of the car to date. Priced at $122,900 before destination in the US, it extracts 414 hp (309 kW) from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder — the same Mercedes-AMG-sourced engine already familiar to Emira buyers. Deliveries begin in August 2026, and orders are open now through Lotus dealers.
The name telegraphs the output: 420 PS, which converts to 414 hp. That's 54 hp more than the base Emira Turbo and 14 hp more than the Turbo SE. The 8-speed dual-clutch transmission puts that power down in a claimed 3.9 seconds to 60 mph, with a 186 mph top speed. Lotus says the focus isn't straight-line speed — it's how the car behaves through corners.
Power, aero, and less weight
The optional Lightweight Handling Pack is the headline hardware upgrade. It sheds 55 lb (25 kg) from the curb weight, bringing the car down to roughly 3,133 lb (1,421 kg), while simultaneously adding 55 lb (25 kg) of downforce — a neat trade that improves both agility and high-speed stability.
Aerodynamics were reworked without a significant penalty in drag. A reshaped front splitter with redesigned vents, revised rear spoiler, extended sills, and larger air intakes combine to push 15% more airflow to the radiators and improve brake cooling by around 10%. Ride height drops 5 mm via retuned suspension, and new high-performance tires come standard alongside carbon fiber paddle shifters with updated tactile feedback.
Lotus Emira 420 Sport
An optional carbon fiber body kit swaps several panels — from splitter to diffuser — for carbon pieces, trimming weight further without changing the car's underlying structure.
New roof, Esprit nod
The 420 Sport introduces something the Emira has never had before: a removable tinted glass roof panel. Lotus says the option will eventually roll out to the broader Emira range. The car also gets a ribbed rear panel that references the classic Esprit Turbo — a subtle design callback rather than a retro gimmick.
Timing and context
The 420 Sport joins, rather than replaces, the existing Emira lineup — the base Turbo and Turbo SE both remain on sale alongside the V6 variant. It may, however, represent one of the last iterations of the Emira with its current engine family. Lotus has signaled a future shift to a hybrid V6 powertrain developed with Horse Powertrain, though no confirmed launch date has been given for that version — per autoevolution.
For context, UK buyers pay £105,900 — about £16,400 more than the Turbo SE. The $122,900 US price puts the 420 Sport in direct conversation with the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 and the upper end of the Alpine A110 range, — per Motor Trader.
