Sports cars have long been the ticket to on-road fun. While the usual suspects get all the glory — think Porsche 911, Chevrolet Corvette, and BMW Z4 — there is a British sports car produced by Lotus that should be causing more of a scene here in the U.S.A. because it beats one of our own homegrown legends: the Ford Mustang GT.
This Lotus sports car not only outsprints a Ford Mustang GT, but is also the fastest four-cylinder sports car available this year. While four-cylinder engines are getting more powerful, some of the fastest sports cars generally boast something with more cylinders. This Lotus doesn’t need them, and needless to say, more people should be talking about this British sports car. We are taking a look at exactly what it offers and why it should be wreaking havoc on the U.S. sports car scene.
Top Speeds Of 181 MPH And 400 Horsepower, Take A Bow, Lotus Emira
Boasting a very respectable top speed of 181 mph and a 400-horsepower four-cylinder under the hood, the mid-engine Lotus Emira is currently the world’s fastest four-pot sports car. Emerging from the Lotus factory featuring an AMG inline-four, there is little surprise that this lightweight, road-hugging British sports coupe is causing all sorts of problems for the likes of the Ford Mustang GT. Both are rapid, but they are different beasts.
Lotus Emira Vs. Ford Mustang GT 0–60 MPH Times Compared
Placed under the Mustang Dark Horse and the almighty Ford Mustang GTD for on-road insanity, the 2026 Ford Mustang GT is no slouch. It boasts a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter Coyote V8 good for 480 horsepower and up to 420 pound-feet of torque. The GT’s V8 can be paired with a 10-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission, if you want a more hands-on feel.
0–60 mph times for the new Ford Mustang GT equipped with the automatic transmission have been clocked at 4.2 seconds. The manual-transmission Mustang GT is ever so slightly slower, taking 4.3 seconds to reach 60 mph. This year’s Mustang GT’s top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph, but some reports suggest that with the limiter removed, it can top out at 180 mph.
The new Lotus Emira is available with two inline-fours, both paired with AMG’s dual-clutch transmission: a 360-horsepower variant and a 400-horsepower variant. It is the latter of the two that provides the quickest rest-to-60 times, with Lotus saying that it can hit 60 mph in as little as four seconds. Or, some two-tenths of a second quicker than the GT.
The Four-Cylinder Engine Under The Emira’s Hood
Sitting behind the cabin of the 2026 Lotus Emira is a Mercedes-AMG-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged M139 inline-four, and it is far more exotic than the cylinder count suggests. This all-aluminum four-cylinder engine boasts four valves per cylinder, DOHC, variable valve timing, and a twin-scroll turbocharger with roller bearings. Lotus brings it all together with high-pressure direct injection alongside port injection, so you get snappy throttle responses alongside the rapid sprint times. At the base level, the Emira’s inline-four shifts out 360 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, with all the power sent to the rear wheels.
If you want the most power and the best sprint times, it is the 400-horsepower version of the same engine that you’ll want to choose. Tuned for higher boost pressure, and with revised engine mapping, torque climbs to approximately 354 pound-feet, and gives you a much punchier mid-range. Despite the extra output, the AMG inline-four is still compact, which has allowed Lotus to preserve the Emira’s low center of gravity and mid-engine weight distribution.
The rapid sprint times and 181-mph top speed prove that modern four-cylinder engines can deliver serious supercar-like performance without the need for six or eight cylinders. You may say it is almost unfair that Lotus, a British marque steeped in racing heritage, and AMG teamed up, but the results are outstanding, and we love to see it.
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What Else The Lightning-Quick Emira Offers
We’ve established that the new Lotus Emira is exceptionally fast to 60 mph, and it can outsprint a Mustang GT, but with a top speed of 181 mph, it is also the world’s fastest four-cylinder car. The Lotus Emira outruns the following four-cylinder-equipped models:
|
Model |
Engine |
Top Speed |
|
Honda Civic Type R |
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 |
171 MPH |
|
For Mustang EcoBoost |
2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-4 |
155 MPH |
|
Hyundai Elantra N |
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 |
155 MPH |
|
Toyota GR86 |
2.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 |
140 MPH |
|
Mazda MX-5 Miata |
2.0-liter inline-4 |
139 MPH |
However, Lotus is a legend of the British racing scene, and has created the new Emira with more than straight-line speed in mind. The new Lotus Emira is race DNA for the road.
On-Road Grit From A Race-Ready Build
The Lotus Emira’s on-road prowess starts with a bonded aluminum chassis, a lightweight structure honed from decades of motorsport experience. This extruded and bonded tub keeps weight down while giving the suspension a rock-solid foundation. Up front and at the rear, the Emira boasts unequal-length double wishbones, which keep camber and toe stable when you’re pinning it into the corners. Lotus has also fitted the Emira with hydraulic power steering, so you get very precise and tactile feedback compared to what some electric systems offer.
There are two suspension flavors to choose from: Tour and Sport. Tour suspension softens the ride for street comfort, while Sport suspension brings firm dampers and springs to the party for tighter handling. Both options boast Eibach springs, Bilstein dampers, and 20-inch forged wheels wrapped in Michelin performance tires, while stopping power is handled by AP Racing four-piston calipers and ventilated discs.
At first glance, you can see that the Lotus Emira is designed to go fast. Aerodynamics are functional, with sculpted side intakes feeding air to the mid-engine and rear brakes, a flat underbody smooths airflow, and the rear diffuser adds downforce without over-the-top wings. The long sloping hood, swept-back LED headlights, and muscular rear haunches give it a powerful stance, while the subtle creases and vents dotted around the body make it look fast at a standstill.
British Sports Car Racing Heritage At Its Best
Everything about the new Lotus Emira screams British racing flair. Outside the borrowed AMG four-cylinder and track-ready kit, the cabin is where British racing DNA truly lives. Every control is placed for easy access, with a fully-customizable digital driver display showing your performance metrics (lateral G-forces, lap times, and real-time torque distribution) taking center stage. Lotus has also paired the techy display with an old-school race feel in the shape of precision-engineered pedals and a feedback-rich hydraulic steering rig, so you get the best of both in one fine package.
Race-inspired touches are everywhere in the cabin. Lightweight, bolstered sport seats hold you in place in the corners, while Alcántara, carbon-fiber trim, and soft-touch panels keep weight down and tactile feel high. The Lotus Emira also boasts advanced systems like adaptive traction control and torque vectoring. The result is a driver-focused environment where tech, ergonomics, and old-school racing feel blend seamlessly, giving you an unmistakably British sports car experience behind the wheel.
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The Lotus Emira Models You Can Buy In 2026
This year’s Lotus Emira has a starting price of just under $107,000; putting it plainly, it is not a cheap sports car to buy. Along with trims and different editions, you have six options to choose from. The base Turbo, the Turbo SE, the Turbo SE Racing Line, the V6 SE, the V6 SE Racing Line, and the Jim Clark Special Edition.
|
Lotus Emira Turbo |
Lotus Emira Turbo SE |
Lotus Emira Turbo SE Racing Line |
Lotus Emira V6 SE |
Lotus Emira V6 SE Racing Line |
Lotus Emira Jim Clark Special Edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$106,900 |
$109,400 |
$112,400 |
$115,400 |
$118,400 |
$142,400 |
The Emira Turbo boasts the lowest-output inline-four available, and the Emira Turbo SE is the model to choose for the quickest 0–60 mph times and highest top speeds. Lotus has also rolled out a 3.5-liter supercharged V6-equipped model: the V6 SE. The V6 kicks out 400 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, and while the six-speed manual and V engine may appeal to purists a little more, 0–60 mph times are slower than the four-cylinder models, at 4.3 seconds.
If you opt for the Racing Line models, you benefit from styling boosts; it is not a performance upgrade. In both the Turbo SE and V6 SE Racing Line models, you get a lower pinstripe in either yellow, red, or silver; high-gloss black wheels sit on each corner, and a special black-and-silver Lotus logo indicates that you’ve opted for the fancier editions.
At the top of the pile, though, is the most expensive 2026 Lotus Emira model: the Jim Clark Special Edition. Finished in a bespoke green paint scheme, the Jim Clark Special Edition is a limited-run tribute to celebrate Jim Clark, one of Britain’s most iconic racing drivers. Jim Clark won the 1965 Formula 1 World Championship and the Indy 500, so to honor his achievements, Lotus is delivering just 60 of these highly collectible models.
The paint scheme, green with yellow racing stripes, is inspired by the Lotus Type 38 that Jim Clark drove in the Indy 500. Under the hood is the most purist setup, the V6 paired with a manual box, and with a price tag in the 2026 Porsche 911 Carrera T ballpark, we know it is going to suit the most serious collectors.
How The Emira’s Price Stacks Up Against Other Four-Cylinder Sports Cars
There is no denying that the 2026 Lotus Emira is an expensive sports coupe, but you do get a lot of bang for your buck. This is especially true if you want a sports car that performs well on the track and isn’t one of the usual suspects that are seen and talked about frequently. What else, aside from exclusivity, could you ask for? With a starting price of over $100,000, the new Lotus Emira is pricier than the following potent 2026 sports cars:
- 2026 Toyota GR86 MkV Final Edition. Starting Price: $70,545
- 2026 BMW Z4 Final Edition. Starting Price: $78,675
- 2026 Chevrolet Corvette 3LT Convertible. Starting Price: $90,745
- 2026 Porsche 718 Boxster S. Starting Price: $91,995
- 2026 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0. Starting Price: $105,295
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How The Lotus Emira Compares To Other Sports Cars In 2026
This year’s Lotus Emira is going to offer a huge amount of track prowess, a very staunch AMG inline-four under the hood, and an unmistakably British feel (if you discount the most useful engine). Prices are high, and while the competition in the sports coupe segment is hot, the Lotus Emira does a stellar job at taking it to the more talked-about and constantly venerated sporty models like the Porsche 911, Ford Mustang, BMW 2 Series and 4 Series, and the Chevrolet Corvette.
Sports Car Spec Comparison
|
Spec |
2026 Chevrolet Corvette |
2026 Ford Mustang |
2026 Porsche 911 |
2026 BMW 4 Series |
2026 BMW 2 Series |
|
Model Line MSRP |
$70,000 |
$34,635 |
$134,650 |
$53,775 |
$42,875 |
|
Most Powerful Engine |
5.5-Liter Twin-Turbocharged V8 Hybrid (ZR1X) |
5.2-Liter Supercharged V8 (Mustang GTD) |
3.6-Liter Twin-Turbocharged Flat-Six Hybrid (911 Turbo S) |
3.0-Liter Twin-Turbocharged Inline-Six (M4 Competition xDrive) |
3.0-Liter Twin-Turbocharged Inline-Six (M2 CS) |
|
Maximum Horsepower |
1,250 Horsepower |
815 Horsepower |
701 Horsepower |
523 Horsepower |
523 Horsepower |
|
Maximum Torque |
973 LB-FT |
664 LB-FT |
590 LB-FT |
479 LB-FT |
479 LB-FT |
|
0–60 MPH |
2 Seconds |
3 Seconds |
2.4 Seconds |
3.4 Seconds |
3.7 Seconds |
The Emira is not the most powerful sports car on the market at the moment, but that is not the point of it. It is a real driver’s model and makes the most out of the turbo-four under the hood, showing its competition how far the evolution of turbo technology has brought us, and what the increasingly industry-standard engine configuration can do in the right hands. Some models are far more powerful at the top end and cheaper at the lower end, and some 2026 sports cars also benefit from decades of motorsport heritage as well. However, we think the Lotus Emira is something very different in today’s sports car segment and is wrongly overlooked compared to the market’s stalwarts.
Sources: Lotus, Ford, J.D. Power, and Kelley Blue Book.