A modern interior design for the Lotus Emira
“Lotus customers around the world have rightly come to expect outstanding dynamic performance from our sports cars, and they will undoubtedly get that with the Emira.
Like every great Lotus it has that element of theatre, for example, the visible gearshift mechanism on manual cars and the exposed throttle actuator in the V6 engine bay. What will surprise and delight sports car customers the world over is the level of practicality, functionality and comfort which sets new standards for Lotus.”
Emira driver side view of the interior
As explained by Richard Moore the interior design of the Emira has had just as much time & energy spent on it as the exterior. The design team’s goal was to design a Lotus sports car to meet & exceed the expectations of driving enthusiasts wanting a modern, high performance, vehicle.
The wraparound nature of the dashboard as it blends into the door trim creates a cossetted feeling that makes the driver feel at one with the car. The raised gear shifter only enhances that feeling and you almost feel like you are in a single seat racing car cockpit. There are a high number of soft-trimmed surfaces, showcasing premium British craftsmanship that conveys ultimate sportiness & a touch of luxury. These are vehicle interior traits that Lotus is not particularly known for, but Emira’s goal is to change that perception.
All of this blends perfectly with modern technical finishes to create a premium experience for the driver – ‘technology with soul’ – and there are details added in tribute to the heritage and sporting success of Lotus like the gearstick on manual cars with design cues from of the iconic Esprit, and the semi-exposed gear linkage visible at the base of the centre console on V6 manual cars, as on the Elise and Exige.
There is also a bit of theatre with the the protective red cover over the start/stop button. While the two seats have been designed to combine exceptional lateral support for high-speed cornering with total comfort for long distance journeys. There is four-way electric adjustment on the standard seat, with the option to upgrade to a premium sports seat with 12-way electric adjustment for both the driver and passenger. All seats are unique to the Emira. The dramatic supercar-like low stance of the car has been achieved while matching best-in-class ingress/egress and headroom.
Also unique to the Emira is the flat-bottomed sports steering wheel with metallic spoke detail and integrated controls. The interior features ambient and wraparound lighting as well as map lights. Other interior features available on the Emira include;
- Keyless go
- Cruise control
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Electric folding door mirrors
- Rear parking sensors (with front sensors as an option)
- Auto-dimming rear view mirror
- Curtain airbags
- Launch control (as part of optional Lotus Drivers Pack)
- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) available on the Emira include adaptive cruise control, anti-collision system, fatigue alert, road sign information, vehicle speed limiter, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, lane change assist.
The car is packed with the latest technology demanded by the discerning driver. Access to the car’s infotainment system is via a 10.25-inch centrally mounted touch-screen, with an additional 12.3-inch TFT driver’s display behind the steering wheel. All content is exclusive to Lotus and has been designed and developed by an in-house team. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are integrated as standard.
Emira interior storage volume behind the seats & the boot
Apart from introducing a sense of luxury, technology and sophistication into the interior of the Emira the design team also kept an eye on practicality.
There are interior spaces set aside like the;
- Twin central cup holders
- Phone storage slot
- Door bins that can accommodate a 500ml bottle
- Glovebox
- Trinket tray
- Armrest between the seats with USB and 12v ports
- A console net for bottles or documents.
Then there are spaces for luggage or other large items with a choice of stored items behind the two seats (208 litres) or in the boot to the rear of the engine (151 litres) to accommodate a standard-sized flight case, helmet for track days, change of clothes or even a set of golf clubs.
Design details for the interior of a Lotus that haven’t been seen on models like the Exige or Elise.
Emira interior audio system
The Exige and Elise came standard with a single DIN slot in the dash that could be used to install a stereo system if an owner wanted one. The Emira has a specially designed automotive audio system that has been developed together with UK audio specialist KEF. The speakers have been carefully crafted and tuned to the cabin & seating position to seamlessly blend into the interior while delivering an amazing sound stage.
A video walkaround of an Emira pre-production vehicle interior
There are a few pre-production vehicles being used for public showings, testing and development around the world. It demonstrates just how close all of the pre-release design images are vs the real thing which is great to see. Many people have already commented on how impressed they are with the interior considering they are not final production vehicles.
What are the Emira's dimensions?
We could list all the length, width & height details but there is no better way to see the dimensions of the vehicle when it is sitting near people or buildings. As you can see in the image above it’s shape is dynamic, influenced by the Evija electric hypercar, Emira has a stunningly contemporary look with sculpted surfaces and crisp feature lines.
It brings exotic looks and features to the sports car category.
