The Lotus Emira V6 SE is more than just a sports car; it is a tribute to analogue driving ecstasy in a world of digital cars.
If the automotive world were an orchestra, the Lotus Emira V6 SE would play solo – on the trumpet. Loud, sensual and with soul. While the electrification of motoring erases traces of petrol pleasures with each passing year, Lotus takes the stage one last time with a car that doesn't care about algorithms. The Emira V6 SE is a tribute to a time when hands on the wheel were more important than software.
When gasoline still smells better than pixels
Under the bonnet beats a heart that says it all: there's no room for sterility here. It's a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine with 400bhp and 420Nm of torque. This engine is no newcomer - it comes from Toyota's treasury of reliability, but has been carefully tuned to Lotus standards for even more driving drama. It's mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and a mechanical differential lock. The result is a 0-100km/h time of just 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 290km/h, putting the Emira V6 SE on a par with much more expensive supercars.
A steering wheel that talks. A chassis that listens.
But numbers are only part of the story. What really sets the Lotus apart from the crowd is the feel. The hydraulic power steering is almost a relic, but it is precisely because of it that the Emira establishes a unique connection between the driver and the road. The chassis settings have been further optimized - the dampers are more precisely tuned, the suspension is adaptive, and the wheel geometry has been subtly honed for more precision in corners.
The Emira V6 SE offers two driving modes. Tour is designed for everyday comfort, without sacrificing the Lotus' signature agility. Sport tightens the muscles, sharpens the response and gives the driver an even greater sense of control – without electronic distractions.
Design with integrity, interiors with character
At a time when many sports cars are already overloaded with bloated aggression, the Emira remains elegant and muscular, but without unnecessary screaming. The base color Zinc Grey is subtle, almost restrained, while the red brakes and black wheels in the extended “Black Pack” subtly hint that this is not just another coupe for Sundays. The interior is not a digital entertainment hall, but a driver’s cockpit. Alcantara, sports pedals, contrast stitching – everything smells of purpose. Everything is there for a reason.
For those who want to personalize, there is a wide range of options: fifteen exterior colors, seven interior themes, four caliper colors and eight wheel designs. Emira doesn't want to interfere with your taste - it wants to support it.
Engineering surgery for everyday life and the racetrack
The 2026 model year brings more than just cosmetic updates. Lotus has given the entire Emir family a technological makeover. A new cooling system with re-engineered pipes ensures better fluid flow, meaning lower temperatures and a lower overall weight. The air conditioning is also now better tuned for hot conditions, while the engine thermostat has been adjusted for better response in more demanding driving conditions. And if you choose the dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), the gears are now faster and smoother than ever before.
Safe? Sure. But without patronage.
Although it is a car for the driver, Lotus has not forgotten about safety. The Emira V6 SE includes all the key systems of modern assistance technology: automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition and even fatigue detection. For those who swear by the full equipment, there is an extended Co-Driver package that adds adaptive cruise control (automatic only), rear cross traffic alert, high beam assist and door opening warning.
But the important thing is: all these systems are non-intrusive. The driver decides how much assistance he needs – and when he wants to have everything in his hands.
Conclusion: A car with a heart and a backbone
The Lotus Emira V6 SE is something special. Not because it's the fastest, or the most digitally advanced, but because it dares to be what others are no longer. A car for the driver, not for algorithms. With a soul you hear in every gearshift, and a personality hidden in every corner.
Price? In the UK it starts at 96,500 pounds, in Germany at 117,500 euros. In Slovenia (where the author comes from), with all taxes, probably around 130 thousand. It's not cheap. But honestly - if you're looking for a piece of art, you don't ask how much the canvas costs. After all, you're going to paint unforgettable memories on it.
If you're one of the few who still believes that driving is not a chore, but an experience – then the Emira V6 SE is your last real candidate.
