LOTUS EMIRA

Driving the British manufacturer’s only sportscar and only petrol-powered offering in India is quite the experience!

- ABHAY VERMA

Lotuses are supposed to be special, but the Eletre didn't exactly tug at my heart strings. It was mind numbingly quick and handled well, but didn't feel very emotive. Maybe because it was all-electric? Or maybe, because it isn't a light, two-door sportscar, like the Elise, Exige and Evora that Lotus is known for? The launch of the Emira did have my ears perk up though.

Not only is it a two-door sportscar, it is also powered by a pure internal combustion engine, without any hybridisation! My hopes were thus high as our test car was being unloaded from the flatbed truck, though a crowd gathered around immediately. That's the pull of a two-door sportscar. It's a format of the automobile that's probably the purest - meant to only go fast. And that's besides the fact that the Emira wore a bright yellow paintjob and looked exactly how a sportscar ought to - achingly gorgeous!

I couldn't help but soak in the details. The sculpted bodywork and lines remind of the Evija, the fully electric hypercar Lotus unveiled in 2019. There's also a fluidity to the lines, and the Emira's styling is an ode to the classic sportscar design - low slung and athletic looking. The mid-engine configuration means there's massive, well-sculpted air scoops right behind the doors that look aesthetic, while the flared wheel arches complement the profile well. The sharp 'cuts' in the hood look striking, as do the intakes in the front bumper, while the 20-inch wheels (you can also opt for 21-inchers) look striking. The boot lip spoiler adds to the stance as does the sculpted rear, while the large, dual exhausts look the part and mean business. Overall, the Emira looks picture perfect and probably 100 cameras (besides ours!) had captured the car by the time we wrapped up the shoot, thanks to its design and yellow hue.