New Lotus Emira Races Into USA with Jenson Button

Fresh from its triumphant world debut last month, the Lotus Emira is making its first appearance in the USA… with a very special driver at the wheel.

Lotus Emira with Jenson Button at the wheel

Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button put the all-new petrol-powered sports car through its paces at Laguna Seca Raceway.

Like Lotus, Jenson was in California for Monterey Car Week, the Radford 62-2 – a reinterpretation of the Lotus Type 62 to be manufactured using Lotus technology – recently received its world premiere ahead of making its public debut with the Emira on the Lotus stand at The Quail, A Motorsport Gathering.

Jenson Button stated after his drive that “This is such a great circuit, most road cars on tracks don’t work, but this does.

Lotus Emira in posed shot on the Laguna Seca Track

The Emira is an all-new mid-engined sports car that perfectly embodies the ongoing transformation of the iconic British sports car manufacturer. Its striking design is delivering exotic supercar appeal in the sports car segment, with inspiration from the Lotus Evija hypercar clear in its fluid surfaces and crisp feature lines.

Two petrol engines are available, including a new-to-Lotus 2.0-liter turbocharged ‘i4’ from technical partner AMG as well as the much-loved and characterful 3.5-liter supercharged V6 from the critically acclaimed Evora GT.

Lotus Emira shown off by Jenson Button

A choice of manual, automatic, and Dual Clutch Transmission is available, with power output from 360 to 400 hp at launch. All versions will hit 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in less than 4.5 seconds.

The USA is a key market for the Emira as Lotus transforms into a truly global performance car company, and Lotus retailers across the country have already seen strong demand from potential customers.

Lotus Emira in Pitlane

The Lotus Emira will be joined by the Lotus Evija hypercar and the Radford 62-2 at The Quail: A Motorsport Gathering on Friday 13 August. All three will be part of a press conference held at 9:15 am PDT (GMT-8) on the Lotus stand.

Note: Press release courtesy of Lotus Cars.

Staff