Synaptic Delight

While blending old-school driving charm and modern technology into a sports car, Lotus decided to give the Emira more of the former

- Joshua Varghese

ONCE THEY LOOK AT THE sunlight reflecting off the alluring bodywork of a bright yellow Lotus Emira First Edition, enthusiasts will immediately wonder what it is like to drive. On that day, I was the lucky man who got behind its wheel to find that out.

We have come to expect so many things of a car now-a-days that the principal attribute and sanctity of driving, just driving, seems to have become a diminishing trait among automobiles. Which is why I have great respect for sports cars and their manufacturers. They tread the fine line between the joy of driving and everyday usability. The Emira is a sports car and it is admirably capable of communicating its intentions even when stationary. This is a machine that was built for the sole purpose of being a synaptic delight in the hands of a good driver on an excellent ribbon of tarmac. On that day, the Emira had to make do with me, but we did have a smooth and quiet stretch of road at our disposal.

Everything about the car felt like an event. Even starting it up. The AMG M139 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine came to life right behind me, making a sonorous statement about the renowned German marque's collaboration with this British icon. Lotus are no strangers to four-cylinder engines and they have made the most of the M139 by nestling it behind the driver and in between the axles. Its placement is perfect and by sending power to the rear wheels, it immediately strikes a chord among enthusiasts by virtue of contributing positively to the weight distribution of the car and adding to the drama involved in the act of driving.