Lotus introduces Emira V6 SE and Emira Turbo - showroom debut in September 2025.

Technical updates, two new colours, new wheels, seat belt colours, new options.
Available to order now, showroom debut in September 2025.
Press release, Hethel – 5 June 2025.

Colours are Purple Haze and EOS Green.

The iconic V6 powertrain has been refined for even more emotional engagement, including the introduction of a new compression mount for the manual gearbox, resulting in more precise gear changes.
Also, optimised damper calibration and subtle adjustments in wheel alignment provide sharper handling and increased ride comfort.

Simultaneously with the introduction of the V6 SE, Lotus provides the existing Emira models with a series of technical enhancements that improve both track performance and daily driving comfort. The cooling system has been optimised by routing the coolant lines differently, providing better flow to both the transmission oil cooler and the main cooling radiator. This results in more cooling and lower vehicle weight. In addition, the air-conditioning control system has been recalibrated to provide a more stable interior climate at high temperatures, and the opening temperature of the engine thermostat has been increased from 65°C to 75°C, improving heating and performance under severe conditions. Finally, the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) has been recalibrated, resulting in faster shift times, improved shift quality and smoother interaction between transmission and driver.

In terms of safety, the Lotus Emira is equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard. On top of that, there is the option of an Extended Co-Driver Pack for extra support. Standard features on the model include Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) and Fatigue Detection. The optional Extended Co-Driver Pack adds Adaptive Cruise Control (only compatible with automatic transmission), Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Door Opening Warning and High Beam Assist. All these systems are designed to enhance safety without compromising the sheer driving pleasure that characterises the Emira. A user-friendly menu allows the driver to set the desired level of assistance entirely according to his or her preferences.

Lotus introduces 2026 Emira V6 SE and Emira Turbo - Lotus Cars Media Site

media.lotuscars.com

 

[kitkat]

Will this finally silence the experts who "know for a fact" that Lotus has ended or is about to end production of the V6?

Lotus themselves said it, I’m not sure how much more authoritative you can get. This was from the Lotus in the last investor meeting. Doesn’t mean they can’t release an SE first.

 

[kitkat]

I wonder if the gearbox mounting significantly improves shifting quality, the current 1-2 shift at speed is really foxtrot umbrella....

I’m guessing by the language of “compression mount for the manual gearbox” they just mean stiffer transmission mounts. The 1-2 will likely still be exactly the same is my bet. You can achieve the same thing with urethane inserts that greg sells on his site.

 

[cryptovince]

I'm really hoping us FE owners get the technical updates as a TSB

 

[MiamiBlue]

I'm really hoping us FE owners get the technical updates as a TSB

I'm told the original car was supposed to have adaptive cruise control and the hardware is there, but they couldn't get the software sorted in time. So hopefully that comes to older cars.

Other changes like when the thermostat opening earlier to improve cooling might also be in software.

The DCT gearbox improvements they're talking about is also probably the software they updated last year. I doubt they've updated any hardware on the AMG gearbox.

 

[kitkat]

I hope for the amg guys here that the gearbox update is a different and noticeable one and that it can be updated for FE cars.

 

[SX 10TUS]

Ref the new gearbox mount - I installed the yellow Powerflex inserts and they made a significant difference with no noticeable increase in NVH. Paired with the GRP short shift I'm really happy with how it feels now. Would be interested to see their new mount though.

Also very curious about the new coolant pipes and how much weight it saves - cant be that much surely...

 

[MiamiBlue]

I hope for the amg guys here that the gearbox update is a different and noticeable one and that it can be updated for FE cars.

I bet it's just the previous software updates.
It's a sealed unit provided from Mercedes. I doubt Lotus will have performed any redesign or hardware changes to the gearbox. But maybe they could have changed the control board and paddles.

 

[Nick Sticks]

I bet it's just the previous software updates.
It's a sealed unit provided from Mercedes. I doubt Lotus will have performed any redesign or hardware changes to the gearbox. But maybe they could have changed the control board and paddles.

Well lotus do take the manual gearbox apart and swap a couple of cogs so they just might change the auto box.

When you do the factory tour (I've done 3 so far) the guide has an area where he demonstrates both gearboxes. Next time I do the tour (probably later this year so that these new cars are in full swing) I’ll pay more attention and ask him if they do any changes to the Mercedes auto box.

 

[seriously]

Lots of cool updates. I'm surprised, honestly. Means they are continuing to invest in the platform and iterate.

I'm skeptical that compression mounts or inserts will make much of a difference. As it is the only way for the shifter to improve is to become more slick, less effort or less play fore/aft. It's already very direct, precise and tight (left and right).

Wonder how much seatbelts will be to buy from Lotus.

Rerouting coolant hoses sounds so strange. The V6SC is not a new power plant and I have to image the underlying chassis is nearly identical to the evora. Why change it? How much hose/coolant are they really saving and at what benefit or loss? Sounds strange to me.

 

[jp129]

I agree. Until we really understand what actually was changed, I'm choosing to read all of the language as marketing fluff.

As a hypothetical, if they changed 1 or 2 coolant hoses that's shorter, etc, that would be 'technically' accurate, although not practically impactful.

 

[netsinah]

Wonder how much seatbelts will be to buy from Lotus.

The released pricing in the promo literature at the start of this thread, mentions 400 GBP. As a comparative, for the Corvette C8 coloured seatbelt option, the 2025 price is $495 US.

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

Really great updates for the Emira. I love the new wheels. Pleasantly surprised

With the diamond cut on it looks awesome. Maybe i'll make that my summer set.

 

[seriously]

The released pricing in the promo literature at the start of this thread, mentions 400 GBP. As a comparative, for the Corvette C8 coloured seatbelt option, the 2025 price is $495 US.

I’m wondering if the parts price is the same as the option price. Not sure I would change it still.

 

[seriously]

I saw there are new steering wheel options too. You can get a leather trimmed wheel with contrast stitching and 12 o’clock line.

All of these options add up to entice people to configure and buy a new car vs a used one at a discount. It’s cost effective for lotus and good for customers. I like it.

 

[MajHall04]

I like the new wheel design better than the current design. I would want the advanced driving options.

 

[RyanGphoto]

I for one am happy I have the V6 manual and adaptive cruise is NOT an option.. I hate that option on my other cars as it always slows me down SOO early when driving (even when making the distance to the other car as small as possible)..
I do wish we had blind spot monitoring and rear cross detection and the other safety features though. I would love the seat belts and interior striping on the seats and steering wheel (I did my own steering wheel anyway), but stitching and the seat stripes would be great.

I also love the striping on the lower black pack, but would NOT want the mirror caps to match personally.

I can't see paying $13k for those options though.

 

[PatrickJS]

I really want auto highbeam, adaptive cruise control, blind spot, and lower temps from the update. I wonder if some of these updates are possible to retrofit

 

[Foxy87]

Perfect! So glad I waited! Its not just available in the UK but in different countries in europe such as switzerland as well.

And the best thing is, I get the colored seatbelt and steering wheel, the updated dampers and the better shiftperformance for free and the car is still a few hundret bucks cheaper then before! I dont need the new savety features but as they are just very cheap to upgrade, I take these was well. Well done Lotus, well done!

I love the purple haze colour, but I just cant get myself to drive around in this colour, its just too loud, too extrem. The emira is already a very extrovert car. And the new green looks kind of „cheap“. I would have loved a british racing green. Looks like I have to stick to DV then.

Unsure about the new wheels, I like them, dont know if they are worth the money though. Would be interested to know if they are lighter.

The racing line (stripes) doesnt make sense, if you dont like the colored mirror caps (which I dont). Its 3k just for the stripes and 2 badges.

Adaptive CC is only for Automatic of course…

 

[PatrickJS]

just so you guys know if you want a custom color seatbelt its a lot cheaper just using these guys

Aftermarket & Replacement Seat Belts | SeatbeltPlanet.com™

Shop our collection of aftermarket seat belts for your vehicle online at SeatbeltPlanet. We offer replacement seat belts, mounting hardware, and more.

www.seatbeltplanet.com

 

[Racer X]

Wish I knew what the “tweaked damper settings and wheel alignment “ changes were.