Canadians can now shop for the lightest and most powerful version of the Lotus Emira.

The online configurator for the Lotus Emira 420 Sport has opened in Canada on the Lotus website.

The Lotus Emira 420 Sport has a suggested Canadian starting price of $168,500. The price doesn’t include various dealer fees and levies. Prices may vary by location.

Not surprisingly, that makes it the most expensive version of the Emira. To compare that to the other Emira versions, the entry level four-cylinder model, the Turbo SE, starts at $146,900, while the entry level V6 version, V6 SE, starts at $154,900.

What makes the 420 Sport special?

The 420 Sport’s turbocharged 2-litre engine gets boosted to 416 hp and 368 lb.-ft. of torque.

An eight-speed dual-clutch transmission sends the power to the rear wheels.

When equipped with the Lightweight Handling Pack, the Emira 420 Sport sheds 25 kilograms compared to the entry-level Emira Turbo, which is not currently available in Canada, and increases downforce by 25 kilograms.

The Lightweight Handling Pack picks up two-way adjustable dampers from Canada’s Multimatic, a titanium exhaust, a lithium-ion battery, carbon fibre components and the Lotus Track Performance app, all to improve agility and responsiveness.

Performance improved

The Emira 420 Sport will reportedly sprint from zero to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds (a Turbo SE does it in 4.0 seconds).

The top speed increases to 300 km/h, up from the Turbo SE’s maximum velocity of 291 km/h. The V6 models top out at 272 km/h with a stick shift or 290 km/h with the automatic.

Most aerodynamic Emira yet

Lotus points out the car went through more than a weight-loss and muscle-gain regime. The 420 Sport is also the most aerodynamic Emira yet.

The automaker fitted the car with a new front splitter, revised front vents, extended side sills, larger air intakes, a lip spoiler and a louvred tailgate.

Airflow to the outboard radiators increases by 15 per cent, to the central radiator by 14 per cent and brake cooling improves by 10 per cent, Lotus said.

The exhaust valve airflow also increases by 30 per cent.

Lotus said these changes should give drivers more consistent performance in demanding conditions, such as on the track.

The car also picks up design cues from past Lotus cars, including the Esprit Turbo.

Chassis updates

Lotus lowered the ride height by five millimetres, revised the suspension settings and swapped out the tires for high-performance rubber, all for enhanced control and driver feedback.

The car rides on a bonded aluminum chassis with a double wishbone suspension.

Removable roof

The Emira 420 Sport also introduces a removable roof panel to the model line.

The tinted glass panel can be removed and stored behind the seats in a protective bag, opening the open-top driving experience on the Emira.

Lotus said the removable roof panel does not change the car’s dynamic performance.

The new tinted glass panel will be available across the Emira lineup.

More personalization

Lotus is introducing new personalization options on the Emira.

An optional exterior carbon fibre pack adds the lightweight material to the front splitter, side sills, wheel arch vents, side pods, rear spoiler and diffuser surround.

There are nine wheel designs and finishes to choose from and the colour palette gets 16 choices.

The Emira 420 Sport gets a unique Tangelo Orange colour option.

Full model details are available on the Lotus website.

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