Lotus is continuing to expand the Emira lineup with the new Emira 420 Sport, a lighter and more powerful version of the brand’s mid-engine sports car.
The Emira remains Lotus’ final pure internal-combustion sports-car family, even as the company’s wider future moves toward hybrid and electric performance. That makes every new version of the car feel more important than a normal trim update.
The 420 Sport brings a stronger AMG-sourced four-cylinder engine, revised aerodynamics, additional cooling, sharper chassis hardware, and an available removable tinted glass roof panel. Lotus says it is the fastest four-cylinder production car in the world today, with a 3.9-second 0-to-62-mph time and a 186-mph top speed.
A More Aggressive Emira With Extra Cooling
The Emira 420 Sport gets more than a simple power bump. Lotus gave the car seven exclusive aerodynamic upgrades, including a more aggressive front splitter, revised front air intakes, front wheel-arch vents, extended side sills, larger side intakes, and a louvred tailgate.
The changes are functional. Lotus says airflow to the outboard radiators is up by 15%, airflow to the central radiator is up by 14%, brake cooling improves by 10%, and exhaust-valve cooling airflow improves by 30%.
Downforce also rises by 25 kg, or about 55 pounds, without an increase in drag. That matters on a car like the Emira, where Lotus is trying to add performance without moving too far away from the brand’s lightweight sports-car identity.
Lotus also introduced Tangelo, a new orange paint color for the 420 Sport. It gives the car a brighter visual signature and helps separate the new range-topper from other Emira models.
A Removable Glass Roof Adds More Character
The cabin keeps the same driver-focused layout, but Lotus is giving buyers more ways to personalize it. Orange detailing, a carbon fiber trim package, carbon fiber shift paddles, and Lotus’ wider personalization options all help make the 420 Sport feel more special inside.
The most interesting option is the removable tinted glass roof panel. Lotus is offering it across the Emira lineup, including the 420 Sport, rather than making it exclusive to this version.
The roof does not turn the Emira into a full roadster, but it changes the character of the car. Removing the central panel gives the cabin a more open feeling without abandoning the coupe shape.
The panel can be stored behind the seats during a drive. That makes it more useful than a styling gimmick, especially for owners who want some open-air drama without moving into a true convertible.
AMG Power And A Sharper Chassis
Behind the seats sits Lotus’ AMG-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. In the Emira 420 Sport, the engine produces 416 bhp, or 420 PS, and 369 lb-ft of torque.
That is a clear step above the standard Emira Turbo and Turbo SE. The Turbo is listed at 365 PS, while the Turbo SE is listed at 406 PS, or roughly 400 hp. The 420 Sport keeps the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and sends power to the rear wheels.
The optional Lightweight Handling Pack cuts 25 kg, or about 55 pounds, compared with the Emira Turbo. The package includes carbon fiber components, a lithium-ion battery, Multimatic dampers, a titanium exhaust system, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.
The titanium exhaust alone saves 6.5 kg, or about 14 pounds. Lotus also lowers the chassis by 5 mm, which is roughly 0.2 inch, and retunes the suspension for sharper response.
The performance numbers put the 420 Sport at the top of the four-cylinder Emira range. Lotus says it reaches 62 mph in 3.9 seconds and tops out at 186 mph. The standard Turbo needs 4.3 seconds for the same sprint, while the Turbo SE does it in 4.0 seconds.
Pricing Starts Above The Turbo SE
The Emira 420 Sport is available to order now. Lotus lists U.S. pricing from $122,900, excluding options, taxes, delivery charges, and other market-dependent costs.
That places it above the Turbo SE, but below many modern supercars with similar acceleration claims. First customer deliveries are expected from August 2026.
The Emira V6 SE also remains in the lineup. That version uses Toyota’s supercharged 3.5-liter V6, about 213 cubic inches, and Lotus lists it at 406 PS, or roughly 400 hp. With the six-speed manual transmission, it produces 310 lb-ft of torque, while the automatic version raises torque to 317 lb-ft.
The 420 Sport gives Lotus a new Emira flagship: still combustion-powered, still mid-engined, but now lighter, faster, more aggressively cooled, and available with a roof panel that changes the car’s character without turning it into a full roadster.
This article was originally published by Autorepublika.com and is republished with permission. It has been reviewed and edited by Guessing Headlights.