Lotus has introduced a brand new lightweight version of the AMG-powered Emira Turbo, called the Emira 420 Sport. Snigger on the numeral a part of the name all you wish, but it is a very serious sports automotive touting more power, a 25 kg weight saving and a 25 kg increase in downforce over the already potent standard model.
The trimmed fat comes courtesy of an optional Lightweight Handling Pack, bringing with it carbon fibre components, a titanium exhaust and an lithium-ion 12-volt battery. Meanwhile, the M139 2.0 litre turbo four-cylinder engine has been uprated over the detuned 365 PS and 406 PS versions within the Turbo and Turbo SE, now making the complete 420 PS and 500 Nm of torque – the identical because the Mercedes-AMG A45S. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission continues to send drive to the rear wheels.
All the facility on this planet means nothing on a Lotus without Hethel’s legendary ride and handling, so the 420 Sport comes with bespoke chassis tuning and a five millimetre ride height drop. The aforementioned Lightweight Handling Pack adds two-way adjustable Multimatic dampers and high-performance tyres for even greater performance on road and track; there’s even a dedicated Lotus Track Performance lap timer app.
Further tweaks include a subtle bodykit inspired by the unique Nineteen Eighties Esprit Turbo, helping to extend downforce without adding drag. There’s a brand new front splitter, revised front vents, prolonged side sills, larger air intakes, a lip spoiler and a louvred tailgate. Not only do these changes aid aerodynamics, but in addition they increase airflow to the outboard and central radiators and the brakes by as much as 15%, providing added cooling and more consistent performance.
The 420 Sport carries over the Emira’s nine wheel design and color options, including recent 20-inch 15-spoke forged alloys in satin dark grey. Despite its lightweight nature, the automotive continues to feature 12-way power-adjustable seats, although the DCT does gain carbon paddle shifters.
On the choices list is an exterior carbon pack consisting of the front splitter, side sills, wheel arch vents, side pods, rear spoiler and diffuser surround. You furthermore may get 16 colors to pick from – including the exclusive Tangelo Orange – together with a carbon pack for the inside and a Hand Painted Pack that adds the tangerine hue across the cabin.
Lotus has also announced that a brand new removable roof panel option has been added across the Emira range, adding a little bit of an open-top experience. It’s not quite a targa top, but as an alternative a sunroof-sized piece of glass that might be popped out quickly and stored in a protective bag. Lotus’ trademark extruded aluminium construction implies that the dynamic performance of the automotive stays unchanged.
Set to be delivered to customers starting in August, the 420 Sport is probably going the last hurrah for the Emira’s existing pure petrol engines. Based on Autocar, each the AMG mill and the Toyota-sourced 2GR-FE 3.5 litre supercharged V6 are set to get replaced by the W30 3.0 litre twin-turbo hybrid V6 from parent Geely’s Horse Powertrain, which was recently shown on the Auto China show in Beijing last month.
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This Article First Appeared At paultan.org

