Finally: 400hp Lotus Emira Turbo SE on sale in UK

With significantly more power, is this the four-cylinder Emira we've been waiting for?

By Matt Bird / Tuesday 4 March 2025 / Loading comments

Remember the Lotus Emira Turbo SE? Announced at the end of last year, it sounded properly exciting: more power from the AMG 2.0-litre turbo, a standard Driver’s Pack, and a smart new look leaning into the heritage (think Excel, Elan, Europa) of a Turbo SE-badged Lotus. Only trouble was that it wasn’t being offered to UK customers. Well, it hasn’t taken long for Lotus to see the error of its ways; the Emira Turbo SE is now officially on sale in the UK.

It’s part of a wider range revamp for what is still set to be Hethel’s final purely combustion sports car. The First Editions are done (at last), and with 10,000 Emiras now produced, the line-up will comprise Turbo SE and V6. The SE replaces the 360hp i4 model, now with 400hp. It’s the fastest Emira available, in fact, with a 0-60mph time of just four seconds and a 180mph top speed. The V6 continues unchanged as the purist’s choice with a standard six-speed manual (a torque converter remains optional).

Standard kit for the Turbo SE over here mirrors what was introduced for other markets, the Drivers Pack including launch control, cross-drilled and ventilated discs plus ‘Sports suspension settings’; which doesn’t sound ideal given how stiffly suspended the last i4 we drove was - but the configurator shows SE customers will be able to choose between that or a Tour setup. The 20-inch Zinc Grey v-spoke wheels are also bespoke to the SE.

Lotus reckons that the new 2.0-litre offers ‘enhanced levels of performance and design whilst building on the attributes the automotive world has come to expect, including its impressive supercar-like appearance, striking lines and thrilling dynamic performance, delivering a unique blend of ride and handling plus outstanding aerodynamics.’ Hopefully the SE is the model that finally fulfills the potential of the AMG powertrain - we look forward to finding out. For now, both 2.0- and 3.5-litre Emiras are available to order, with cars expected in showrooms next month. The Turbo SE is from £89,500, the V6 from £92,500; might be a good time to do a deal on those Emiras already in the classifieds, then…