Lotus has turned the Emira up to 11. Meet the new Emira 420 Sport: the most powerful, lightest, and angriest version of the Emira yet — a car designed to remind everyone that Lotus still knows how to build something properly exciting.

Power comes from a 420PS turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, good for 0–62mph in 3.9 seconds and a 186mph top speed.

Which means this isn’t just a mildly warmed-over special edition with some stickers and black wheels. It’s properly quick.

Lotus says the 420 Sport has been engineered to deliver more “driver engagement”, which in Lotus language usually means “you’ll feel every atom of the road surface through the steering wheel”.

There’s a lower ride height, revised suspension, more downforce, sharper aero, and — if you tick the Lightweight Handling Pack — 25kg less weight thanks to goodies like a titanium exhaust, lithium battery, and carbon fibre trim.

The aero tweaks are more than cosmetic too. New vents, bigger intakes, revised sills, and a louvred rear section all improve cooling and stability on track without adding drag. Basically, it should survive a hot lap without cooking itself.

Inside, it’s all very serious-driver-spec. Carbon fibre paddles, sporty seats, track telemetry, and plenty of Alcantara. Although Lotus has also thrown in a removable tinted glass roof panel because apparently even hardcore track-day heroes enjoy a bit of sunshine now and then.

And yes, it comes in Tangelo Orange — because if you’re buying a lightweight British sports car with titanium bits and a giant rear diffuser, subtlety probably isn’t high on your list of priorities.

The Emira 420 Sport goes on sale now, with deliveries starting in August 2026. Expect it to be very fast, very sharp, and almost certainly terrifying on a damp B-road.