Yesterday, Lotus debuted the new entry level version of the Emira which is now available with a four cylinder engine, sourced from Mercedes-AMG. The same engine is in use in the AMG A45 and C63 S E Performance to name a few. At this stage, it is the world’s most powerful four cylinder engine and in the Emira, it makes 360bhp with 317lb ft torque.

Lotus have made some “fundamental changes” for the Emira, hence the drop in power from 382bhp and 354lb ft torque, as seen in some AMG models. As standard, the car comes with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. This model will not be offered as a manual, with that being reserved for the Toyota V6 engine.

The new four-cylinder model comes in at £4,200 less than the V6 at £77,795. The V6 variant can be had with a manual gearbox. It also makes 400bhp and 310lb ft torque.

The new four-cylinder Emira was supposed to cost £59,995 but things have changed since then, and the First Edition will cost £77,795 with other trims expected to cost less. The first deliveries will start this autumn and will be the very combustion car that Lotus will make, all future models will be pure electric and use the Geely platforms.

The Emira will be manufactured in Hethel, Norfolk but future EVs will be made in Lotus’s new factory in Wuhan, China.