15 live photos of the RM 1.1 mil Lotus Emira, the last combustion engine Lotus sports car

The 2022 Lotus Emira marks a brand-new chapter for Lotus not only under new ownership through Geely but a complete revamp of the brand too. Unlike past models that came out of Hethel, the Emira looks more like a modern proper sports car than one out of a shed, no offense.

Even the prices for the Emira are touching proper sports cars territory from the likes of Porsche and even Ferrari. Starting from RM 1,131,800 inclusive of duties and tax, the Emira is distributed in Malaysia by Lotus Cars Malaysia with two engine options – a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder supplied by Mercedes-AMG (364 PS/430 Nm) or a 3.5-litre supercharged Toyota V6 engine (400 PS/420 Nm).

The unit that was unveiled to the media is the same prototype that made its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2021. As such, there are a few features missing as well as some fit and finishing which aren't quite up to snuff with the production model.

That said, this particular prototype will largely carry over into the First Edition model which includes the supercharged Toyota V6 engine which is largely carried over from the Elise/Exige/Evora the Emira is replacing. 50 units are allocated for Malaysia and almost all of them have been scooped up since bookings were announced in July 2021.

Yes, even though it sits on a brand-new bespoke Lotus Sports Car Architecture, the powertrains are still borrowed from other manufacturers. Not that there is anything wrong with that, even Aston Martin uses Mercedes-AMG powerplants and they remain a choice for Bond wannabes.

Also read: A gentleman's supercar, the Aston Martin Vantage is regal, debonair and sophisticated. Just like Bond

Speaking of Bond, the Lotus Esprit is another infamous Bond car and the Emira looks just about right for the famous MI6 agent. 007 themselves wouldn’t look out of touch driving this in Monaco or through the Swiss Alps. The Emira looks nothing like the Elise/Exige/Evora that it replaced with svelte and aerodynamic lines that are gorgeous like a Bond girl.

Also read: Pour one out for the Lotus Elise, Exige and Evora as they go six-feet under and lay the foundation for an electrifying future

Ditto the interior too and though it is low as a regular modern-day sports car, at least you would look sophisticated exiting or even entering a Lotus. There are features in the Emira that make it a proper cruiser instead of some track toy which some Lotus fans might protest at.

Also read: Owner Review: The Everyday Sports Car - Living With My Lotus Elise

There’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster behind the comfortable flat-bottomed steering wheel, premium sports seats with up to 12-way electric adjustment, ambient lighting, a 10-speaker sound system by British Hi-Fi maker KEF, and a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity support.

Those are features that you might come to expect from a sports car but not on a Lotus. Even the cupholders are proper ones to hold your fluids and not some afterthought that resembles a jockstrap.

The Emira also comes with ADAS which includes adaptive cruise control (ACC), anti-collision system (AEB), lane departure warning, and lane change assist. Interestingly, the sports car uses a hydraulic power steering which is increasingly becoming rare in 2022.

Also read: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems ADAS, more harm than good?

Still, the Emira has the essence of a Lotus even with all the modern features. It is developed on a new lightweight bonded aluminium chassis and lightness is an ethos that has been at the heart and soul of Lotus through its founder, Colin Chapman.

Of the two engines offered for the Emira, the turbocharged four-cylinder unit is only mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters – a first for a Lotus. However, if you want the true experience of a proper Lotus, the 6-speed manual transmission is offered for the V6 as well as the 6-speed automatic transmission.

Also read: Here's why the manual transmission still matters

Granted, some Lotus fans might be balking at the Emira for being not a true Lotus but in order to keep the lights on at the Norfolk office and factory, some changes to the brand must be made.

Also read: Neither simple nor light, here's why Lotus made the all-electric Eletre SUV

A million-ringgit Lotus might sound a bit too much but then again, the Emira is also the last combustion-engined model by the company as it is committed to be fully electrified in the coming years.

Also read: Lotus to start making electric SUVs in 2022, to be joined by 3 new EV models by 2026