2021 Lotus Evora GT vs 2024 Lotus Emira V6 - Head to Head Review!

Lotus touts the Emira's all-around improvements over the long lived Evora chassis, but does it actually translate into a more enjoyable driving experience?
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[@churchofbrap876]

Long live the Evora. Love that car!!!

[@lewbarrett]

If you put the Evora in sport mode and then press the exhaust button, you have actually closed the valve. There’s no need to use the exhaust button if you go to sport or race mode if you desire the exhaust to be open. It always kills a bit of credibility when reviewers make such basic mistakes that could easily be avoided with just a bit of research. Touring mode makes red line 6800, sport is 7200, which should do. Tunes rarely alter redline in any car, because that’s a mechanical function related to cams and valve gear. However, they can improve the response when blipping between gears when shifting. Excellent tunes are available from Inokinetic, Komotec or JUBU.

[@joby602]

Just no need to be such a dick when it is so easily avoided. No doubt you mean well.

[@wdc_nathan]

Came here to say that

[@allenyao552]

JUBU can increase the redline of Emira from 6800 to 7200 with just a tune thou

[@TheRealMacSavage]

Thank goodness I didn't have to write all this out! You are 1000% correct. I used to explain this in detail when I sold Evoras. The reason you have the option to make it quieter in sport or race is some tracks have heavy sound decibel limits.

[@arleneava751]

@@TheRealMacSavage This shouldn't need explanation to someone expounding on the abilities of cars as if he's an expert. He clearly needs more seat time in a variety of manual vehicles. It is the driver falling short on adjusting to the differences, instead of blaming the vehicles.

[@jameswillard1]

Anxious to watch this video when I have time later. As a former Evora GT owner I had high expectations for the Emira, but after spending a week driving one I was let down. I assumed they’d drive extremely similar in terms of handling and steering but the Emira felt noticeably less direct and connected to the road. The car I drove had Touring suspension on Eagle F1’s which may or may not be the ideal setup. I noticed a lot more bump steering in corners than I remember with my Evora. Overall my opinion is that they took away from some of the previous cars highlights while doing very little to improve the negatives of the Evora, like the sometimes frustrating gearbox and heavy fly wheel feel. Also the seats are awkward and not very comfortable. I like the Evora smaller diameter, round steering wheel more. The Emira did have great panel fit and paint quality, is beautiful to look at, and even has some minor exhaust pops on the over run at lower RPM’s which sounded kind of cool, but overall I think I prefer the Evora 400/GT models sad to say

[@DrivenByKevin]

Sounds like a very fair assessment

[@VK6AB-]

They went backwards from the 430 Cup.

[@neilparry14]

If you put it in sport mode and press the exhaust button, so it lights up, you’ve actually CLOSED the valves in the exhaust. It works in reverse when sport is selected.

[@EverydayEmira]

I absolutely love my Emira and consider it the more beautiful car, but you can't deny the Evora GT looks amazing in a more fighter jet, extreme kind of way.

[@Docinaplane]

Sport mode opens the valves. If you press the valve setting in Sport, it will close the valves. Of course it opens automatically at high RPMs. The transmission is the weak link. That's why they can't raise the redline to 7500, though I totally agree with you about it feeling that it wants to.

[@Unicornpirate]

Weird because I have seen 2GR swapped MR-2's with cams rev to 7500 rpm all day.

[@Docinaplane]

@@Unicornpirate I believe the transmission was sourced from a truck.

[@DavidMyers-o7w]

I own a 2018 Evora 400 and the throttle blip is a bit contentious. What I've learned to do is slow down the blip - make your blip deliberate and it will be more consistent. Great review and a comparison that I have been waiting for! Keep up the good work!

[@bowenzhang_no1]

A very thorough review. I don't understand why people flip out over the exhaust button. It has zero effect on the car's overall driving dynamic. Z reviews many cars and it is OK to miss some of those quirks. The Lotus community seems scary.

[@krzych91krk]

Wow, an exotic comparison indeed. Keep it up. Instant like before watching

[@joelseff]

Thanks for reviewing my Evora GT... Again 😂 and it was great meeting you @zygrene 🤙🏼 totally agree with the throttle issue. My one complaint about the Evora GT vs the Emira. In Race and sport it is better but still inconsistent for me. Trying to see if there's a tune or flywheel fix...

[@andrewrossnagel9433]

The tunes are way too expensive for these cars.

[@Docinaplane]

I have the Evora GT. I live in Florida. Mine has the carbon fiber pack so it's a little lighter. Here's what you need to do to have what I have). Go to Greg Race Parts (GRP) and get the 3rd Cat delete pipe and cold air intake and install both of those. (If you can't the next person, I'm going to tell you about can do it) Contact Luiggi at Olympic Motor Sports in Boca Raton, FL. He will tune your car on a Dyno to about 510BHP and 405 RWT. It will also raise the redline in track and fix the throttle issue. My GT will absolutely blow the Emira away. PS Since you are in California, you might ask Greg (at GRP) if he knows anyone closer to you that can tune your car.

[@Zygrene]

Let me know what you find!

[@Zygrene]

@@Docinaplane I didn't.

[@Docinaplane]

Joe. This is what I did to my Evora GT. 3rd cat delete and cold air intake from GRP (Greg Race Parts). Then a tune on a dyno with Luiggi at Olympic Motorsports in Boca Raton, Fl. (Greg can recommend a closer place for you). He recommended Luiggi to me because I am in Florida.) My car now has 504BHP and 403RWT. It will blow any Emira or non-tuned GT away.

[@gbarton800]

Good comparison review! If the Evora GT looked like the Emira, I’d own one and drive around the delayed throttle response. But the truth is that I own an Emira First Ed w/sport chassis. - Completely agree with you about the seats. I’d love to install the Evora GT seats in my Emira. - A tune to raise the redline at least to safely match the Evora GT would be great! - The steering is at least as good as the 981B I also have but I can believe the Evora GT is better. - Brakes take getting used to and are at their best with spirited driving and their worst in traffic (too much or too little) - Suspension also shines on backroads (spirited driving) but could benefit from improved compliance for everyday driving. - Interior is arguably better but not that important to me (kind of prefer the more analog, driver focused Evora interior) - I’m glad that I bought the Emira and feel that over time I can address the opportunity areas.

[@dlj1285]

It’s probably me, but frankly I think everyone is so caught up in all the hoopla and “new” aspect of the Emira, and it’s causing the “fact” that the Evora looks better to get lost. I like most of its angles better personally. My opinion only, obviously, but I really feel it looks better. Clearly the Emira has better interior.

[@arleneava751]

100%

[@gary7moore]

I own a 21GT, my first Lotus. Been a great car in the 21 K miles of ownership. Totally agree about the throttle response, GregsRaceParts offers a downshift blip module, most seem to have good results with the product. I plan to get my car tuned first and see if that improves throttle response at all, if not I will probably try the module. My understanding is the cars weigh 100-150 lbs of each other depending on trim/options on the Evora. I also wasn’t a fan of the seats in the Emira at all….

[@voxx8281]

Putting it in sport mode automatically opens the exhaust. Hitting the exhaust button again you actually closed it lol

[@hamsterbrigade]

Came here to say this. It's crazy that they couldn't spend the money to have the electronics sorted out properly. It's not an expensive circuit to build.

[@martinriedel1911]

@@hamsterbrigadeit’s not an error it’s actually just a feature.

[@ogmechsftw]

@@martinriedel1911 a stupid feature tbf, but yes a feature.

[@rockenracing1996]

i wonder if the throttle cable issue is like what we get from the the drive by wire pedal on the 2gr mr2 swaps. Someone in the community has a patch or something to fix the oversensitivity. Love your content still Fenton! Great work on the nsx 💯

[@MichaelHK]

I have an Evora GT (carbon pack/6MT) and I find that the “throttle response” for me is actually some horizontal play in the gas pedal itself. It makes, what is otherwise very good pedal placement for heel/toe revmatching, more difficult than necessary IMO. Very rewarding car to drive overall despite its few British-isms.

[@danblumel]

I have a 2017 Evora 400, British racing green, tan leather interior and manual trans, yellow Calipers. Love the car, wouldnt trade for anything. My Daily driver a 2008 Mitsubishi EVO X (10). Love both.

[@emgee9775]

Great channel-finally someone who knows what they are talking about!

[@MaxRPMs]

We need more reviews on 9!

[@jakevincent3057]

Excellent video. Very informative. Thank you.

[@jpslaym0936]

It sounds like an Evora GT chassis with Emira motor and interior would be optimal. During covid lockdown you could get early Evoras (which look identical to later models) with supercharged engine in the 40k range. Not so much anymore

[@tnutss]

Literally just did this same test between an evora gt carbon package with emira touring. Felt like the evora shifter has a shorter shifter and shorter gearing. Did you notice the difference? I wonder if the evora gt I drove has a shorter gearing shifter kit

[@tonyz3015]

Does the Emira have the Sports or Touring suspension ?

[@darren4747]

There is a little bit more weight in the Emira but most of the change in steering feel is down to geo settings. Set up as a softer car.

[@SteveMeeks-c2g]

I have driven both the gt and the new emira. I have found that the gt is more for the driving enthusiasts where the emira is more soft on the road. It's more like driving a Porsche cayman

[@specop12]

What is the vista point at the end of the video called? Looks like a nice view

[@simplylotuswi]

With regards to the throttle response (at least on heel toe/downshifts). Is just a known issue with the design of the S1/S2. I have not driven a car that fixes this issue even with tunes is still there. Most people convince themselves it is not there or learn to drive around it. There is a fuel cut tied in with the clutch position sensor it is more noticeable on the S1's I have driven, the S2 400/GT is not as bad but still there. I removed it entirely on my S1 and the car drove like any other normal car. In the S2 is tied to the starter so would require a bit more work. Downside, this disables the cruise control. It is pretty apparent if you just give constant throttle, depress the clutch you can see the delay between fuel cut and kicking back in.

[@joby602]

Interesting. I wonder why they designed it that way? Sounds like a totally unnecessary design.

[@simplylotuswi]

@@joby602 Yeah not sure either. The fuel cut behavior is spelled out in the manual. Not sure if it was to save the clutch, or tied to the cruise control cancel. Either way, when I removed that component on my S1 the car drove like any other manual car, basically perfect.

[@GTC4cam]

@@simplylotuswi when you disconnected the clutch sensor, did you get any CEL’s or other warning lights? The clutch sensor is being looked into right now for a possible after-market solution to the heel toe blip issue.

[@simplylotuswi]

@@GTC4cam In the S1, you get a blinking wrench icon when you start the car (goes away after 30s) but no CEL. Cruise control is disabled/non functional, and otherwise no issue. If I recall, on the S2 Evora 400/GT in US I had to hold the clutch pedal to start the car so I believe it is tied to the ignition. Funny enough, on the Emira that I test drove I was able to start the car without holding the clutch pedal. (Salesperson was perplexed)

[@GTC4cam]

Okay, progress. Keep your fingers crossed, we may have a solution in the works. The clutch-start requirement is factored into the solution so with luck, we may solve this thing yet.

[@Tifosi5716]

I wonder how to solve the Evora throttle issue, rewrite throttle map? change some emira part? (ECU? Throttle control?) Never heard such issue for other cars

[@strmshadow8411]

The looks of the Evora never gelled with me, love my Emira though. Emira strikes a better street/track car balance, to hopefully bring in more buyers for Lotus. I have my Exige for future track events if I want to go that way though.

[@tallywhacker1]

Highway 9?

[@reckless1216]

I like the look of the evora better

[@EdLo.]

yo what road is this🙏

[@Rex_Racer]

Heavier valve springs will allow you to increase the redline up to 7,500 without valve float.

[@Hapkin]

Who makes this?

[@silligilli25]

Wow great head to head!

[@RandyLe4zero8]

Which cars do you own boss ? Will u make a vlog video on ur own cars ?

[@Unicornpirate]

NSX and Type-S

[@Carsrlifepnw]

Thank you for this! Debating between these 2 and the 718 Cayman GTS. But then the Evora 400 at 70k start creeping in at almost 35k less, could be the bargain...unless someone knows something i need to? And luckily i have Park Place down the road for serving

[@joelseff]

@@Carsrlifepnw I own this evora gt and was on the Emira List before going with the evora (long story 😂) but I cross shopped a Cayman GT4 and GTS and the GTS is definitely more plush. The Evora GT is a lot like the GT4 with the GT4 being a little more dynamic (but I still prefer the steering of the Evora GT) but the price kept me from pulling that trigger. I really preferred the Lotus Evora looks, rarity and driver involvement more.... YMMV you really can't go wrong with these. The 400 is a lot like the GT except for the slight bump in HP and aero on the GT. I think if you can find a great price on a GT or 400, those are hard to beat. Wish you the best in finding your car! 🤙🏼

[@lenwossname1614]

I have an Evora 400, drive one, you won’t be disappointed, believe me. 👌

[@Carsrlifepnw]

@lenwossname1614 planning on doing so here soon. Hopefully I'll be in the Lotus club with you excellent folks! My buddy has an 07 Exige S that is the most palate cleansing machine for driving dynamics. The M2 is great with amazing power and comfort for the money, too numb and portly for my hillside roads. My 21 GT test drive about 2 months ago was an eye opener to what an amazing platform the Evora is. Cant get it out of my mind

[@joelseff]

@@Carsrlifepnw that was my impression of an Evora S in 2018 and in 2020 I was looking for an Evora GT but settled for an ND2 Miata... Revisited the Evora GT in the end of 2021 sadly being told that they stopped production so I got on the Emira List... Always having the GT on my mind and felt like I was settling for the Emira. (I wasn't looking for a plush sports car but really wanted that GT). Ended up buying this 2021 GT slightly used and loving every minute of it. Despite the inconsistent throttle blip issue... 🤣

[@Carsrlifepnw]

@joelseff that is quite the journey, lol. But well worth it and you seem to have found the one to keep now. Any big upgrades that may fix that throttle?

[@lenwossname1614]

The third cat delete with affect the throttle input.

[@joelseff]

@@lenwossname1614 do you mean negatively? the Evora here does have the 3rd cat delete.

[@jayczyzyk9707]

Do the exotic reveiw of the Nissan Sentra

[@Zygrene]

Someone find me an SE-R 😏

[@ouch9326]

@@Zygrene how about a dysnamic lightweight structure , suspension etc like used bmw , then large block inline 3 , toyota transmission with limited slip diffrential, small hybrid system at front, midrearnegine lsd etc

[@whosewineisitanyway3184]

Highway 9!!

[@Desolaire]

I have both these cars and in the same color, each is unique and wonderful to drive, but you have some basic errors with the info you give. Anyways, if you want a quick summary, the Evora GT is more a Track car and the Emira is more a Sport GT road car. Neither is a replacement for the other. I would like to add, that a 3rd cat delete on the Evora GT is a must and makes a nice difference. Also a 3rd cat delete and Miltech Exhaust Valve is a must on the Emira.

[@hamidataei9541]

Elise vs emira please

[@boots_n_coots]

Am I correct in assuming neither car offers auto rev-match downshifting? I enjoy this feature on my FL5 Type R. Because I am cursed with ‘two left feet’ to use an old expression 😂.

[@joelseff]

@@boots_n_coots there is no auto rev match with these there's an aftermarket autoblip module you can get for them.

[@neilbantoc3609]

As a previous Type R owner and now an Emira owner, it's forced me to finally learn how to downshit rev match and once I got the hang of it I kinda not miss the auto rev match on the Type R now may it be for daily driving or at the track. It may be the pedal box placement on the Emira, but I had a better time trying to learn it on the Emira than when I tried and failed on the Type R.

[@martinriedel1911]

The throttle response with the valve closed (yes, you drive with the valved closed all the time in sports mode 😂), is not good as you describe, but you should just set it rigth (not close the exhaust valve). If you remove the pre-cats you will get rid of the throttle-problem entirely.

[@joelseff]

@@martinriedel1911 remove all of the Cats? The 3rd cat was removed and still having throttle inconsistency

[@martinriedel1911]

@@joelseffno but introduce a big “3rd” cat, and then delete the very restrictive cats in the headers.. much more expensive, but improves sound, throttle response and durability alot.

[@dwightstewart4900]

The Emira has to be heavier by a lot. Evora for me!

[@samueldowney2806]

This is so typically Lotus. Both are amazing, but neither is perfect. Which would you take? Personal preference. I'm not sure I can really decide. I suspect I'd take an Emira because it just looks so amazing. Hopefully the V6 will last long enough through emissions regs to produce a harder, sharper, lighter Emira and then you would have the best of both worlds.

[@Grimgrak1]

Too bad the evora never fixed it's trunk opening issue.

[@EvoraGT430]

The issue no-one has heard of.

[@albert.escobar31]

That looks like HWY 9.

[@arleneava751]

There are so many things to unpack in this review, so I'll just touch on two huge ones. As others noted, if you put the GT in Sport or Race mode the valves are open, clearly! Why would you touch the exhaust button? Lost credibility in my opinion. Secondly, heal toe is an art form where you are at one with the vehicle, especially mastering each vehicle's throttle control, braking, balance, etc. The fact that you could rev-match better in the Emira does not mean more seasoned drivers, that can adjust to a more "raw" car than you, makes it less of a car. Take the time to master driving a wider variety of manual cars before becoming an "expert".

[@dougsmith1622]

Maybe you need to learn to shift in sync with the car.

[@antoniolopez2322]

The Evora doesn´t try to look like a Chinese made Ferrari 488. Like it´s design better than the Emira. Could park my Evora 400 next to a Ferrari and not feeling embarrased. Couldn´t do that with an Emira "Ferrari wannabe"

[@VK6AB-]

Both are ordinary. Prices for the Emira in UK have dropped through the floor. I owned an Exige 380 and 430 Cup, once bitten twice shy. At the end of the day its the same ordinary engine and ordinary gear box. Horrible interiors average QA/QC. The story never changes.

[@EvoraGT430]

So you owned an Exige and not an Evora or an Emira.

[@VK6AB-]

@@EvoraGT430 I drove the Emira on track and wasn'r impressed, the 430 Cup was a much better car. For the road the Cayman 4L GTS is a much better car.

[@Hapkin]

​@@VK6AB-not at all. I drove a 718 GTS and GT4. I was bored with both on the road and in the canyons. GT4RS was more of an engine thrill but still less visceral in the chassis vs Emira. I hope they come out with an R or GT version.

[@VK6AB-]

@@Hapkin All three cars you mentioned are far superior in every way and much more enjoyable all round. They have more grip and are more chuckable moreover they are genuine mid-engined whereas the Emira isn't. The lap times don't lie.

[@Hapkin]

@@VK6AB- to each his own. I find the GTS boring AF. GT4 is fun on the track but manual gearing is terrible for the canyons mountains I live in. 981, 718 are just boring perfection. I prefer Wabi Sabi personally. It is a character thing. Laptomes don't matter to me for back roads yet I do a 1:36 at Laguna in my M2CS so I am not slow on track. On the road I prefer my Emira or even my Mini. Miata are slow yet roadster perfection to some people. Older Porsche 911 are full of character but can kill you from lift off oversteer yet are fun. The new ones are boring in their quest to tame physics the German way. Btw, I drove a 991.2 Carrera T back to back to back with an Emira and was much happier both times in the Emira though I appreciated that the T was the most fun Porsche for the road. Maybe it's just a preference thing. May be blasphemy but for the money of a GT4,I would rather take a C8 Z06, 570S, any day and they are in the ball park cost wise these days with Porsche inflation.

[@JohnSmith-ji1hl]

1st

[@ryshask]

They are both too large to be a "lotus" in my opinion... Cayman is the new lotus.. Makes me sad.

[@MaxRPMs]

Miata is the new lotus

[@darren4747]

Cayman bout same size and weight as Emira. There isn’t a lightweight mid engine car on the regular market. If only Gordon Murray made some sports cars (rather than super cars)

[@MaxRPMs]

@@darren4747 yep we can only hope

[@ogmechsftw]

@@darren4747 a110 (i wish we got it here in NA)

[@EvoraGT430]

No bigger than an Esprit.