Lotus Emira 420 Sport revealed with 420 PS and removable roof
27/05/2026
Lotus has just made the Emira even more interesting.
Meet the Lotus Emira 420 Sport, the most powerful, lightest and most aerodynamically focused Emira so far. It is not cheap, starting from €129,900 in Europe, but honestly, this is seriously cool. And the best part? There is now a removable tinted glass roof panel. Yes, on an Emira.
The most focused Emira yet
The Emira 420 Sport sits at the top of the Emira range and keeps things very Lotus: lower weight, sharper responses, more driver involvement and no unnecessary nonsense.
Power comes from the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, now producing 420 PS and 500 Nm, paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. The result is 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 299 km/h.
25 kg lighter, 25 kg more downforce
With the optional Lightweight Handling Pack, the Emira 420 Sport is 25 kg lighter than the Emira Turbo and generates 25 kg of additional downforce. That pack brings proper hardware: two-way adjustable Multimatic dampers, a titanium exhaust, a lithium-ion battery, carbon fibre components and a dedicated Lotus Track Performance app for recording lap times.
The aero has also been sharpened. Lotus added a new front splitter, revised front vents, extended side sills, larger air intakes, a lip spoiler and a louvred tailgate. Cooling improves too, with airflow to the outboard radiators up by 15 percent, central radiator airflow up by 14 percent, brake cooling improved by 10 percent and exhaust valve airflow increased by 30 percent.
A removable roof panel changes everything
For the first time, the Emira can be fitted with a removable tinted glass roof panel, inspired by the Esprit. It can be taken out quickly and stored behind the seats in a protective bag, allowing the car to switch between coupé and open-air driving.
And importantly, Lotus says the underlying architecture means the dynamic performance remains unchanged. That is brilliant. Because a full convertible would have changed the Emira’s character, weight and structural purity. A removable roof panel gives you the open-air experience without turning the car into something softer.
Still built around steering feel and chassis balance
The Emira 420 Sport gets a 5 mm lower ride height, revised suspension settings and high-performance tyres. It keeps the bonded aluminium chassis, double-wishbone suspension and electro-hydraulic power steering that make the Emira feel special in the first place.
Inside, there are 12-way adjustable seats, a driver-focused layout, updated haptics and new carbon fibre gearshift paddles. Lotus also offers more personalisation, including an exterior carbon fibre pack, nine wheel designs and a new Tangelo Orange launch colour that feels properly on-brand.
Bright orange Lotus with a removable roof panel? Yes please.
AutoNext Take
The Emira 420 Sport is not revolutionary, and that is exactly why it works. Lotus has not tried to reinvent the car into something it should not be. It simply made the Emira lighter, sharper, more powerful and more focused.
Then it added a removable roof panel and suddenly the Emira becomes more emotional without becoming less serious. You still get the mid-engined balance, the steering feel, the chassis purity and the compact sports car proportions. But now you can remove the roof and let the sound, air and drama into the cabin.
