Lotus has introduced an exclusive Emira Limited series, drawing inspiration from its well-known four-cylinder Emira sports car and paying vivid tribute to the brand’s illustrious racing legacy. This collection includes five unique liveries, each reflecting the distinctive Lotus racing heritage, with only 12 units produced per design. Available in 12 select European markets, the Emira Limited series commemorates Lotus’s rich history with the symbolic “12,” a nod to the famous starting number of Formula One driver Ayrton Senna during his time with the team.
The Emira Limited series also marks the onset of a new customization phase, offering a glimpse of the forthcoming ‘Chapman Bespoke’ personalization program, set to debut in 2025. With this dynamic introduction, the British carmaker suggests a future where each Lotus vehicle can be customized to reflect the individual tastes and characters of its owner, rendering each model truly one-of-a-kind.
Lotus F1 Inspired Designs
Earlier this year, the ‘First Edition’ announced the market launch of the Emira sports car, featuring a robust mid-engined four-cylinder engine developed in collaboration with AMG. Lotus now expands the lineup with the Emira Limited series. The unique exterior details of the five Emira Limited liveries are factory-supported and integrated into the overall paint scheme of the cars, applied at the Hethel facility in the UK.
In addition to their distinctive appearances and exclusive black Lotus logos, the Emira Limited models are identifiable by the elegant ‘Emira Limited 1/12’ badges placed on the B pillars and dashboard. The chosen color schemes are reflective of classic Lotus Formula One cars, with some liveries creating a direct visual connection to Ayrton Senna’s iconic starting number 12. Each Emira Limited also includes a certificate of authenticity, enhancing the vehicle’s distinctiveness and value to collectors.
From 2025 onward, the new ‘Chapman Bespoke’ personalization program will enable European customers to add personal touches to their new Emira and all other models in the Lotus lineup, both on the exterior and interior.
Five Emira Limited Liveries
Lotus will offer the Emira Limited in five notable liveries, each inspired by different historic Lotus Formula One designs.
Emira Inspired by the Lotus Type 99T
This striking yellow with blue highlights pays homage to the Lotus Type 99T Formula 1 car, with which Ayrton Senna enjoyed a successful 1987 season. The Type 99T was the first F1 car to employ Lotus’s active suspension technology, achieving a Grand Prix victory at Monaco and again in Detroit. The car secured eight podium finishes, helping both Lotus and Senna secure third place in the Constructors and Drivers championships. The legendary Lotus race number 12 appears in blue on each side of the vehicle, corresponding with the black brake calipers, front and side air intakes, and the ‘LOTUS’ branding on the rear.
Emira Inspired by Type 97T
This elegant livery represents the 1985 Formula 1 car where Ayrton Senna famously claimed his first Grand Prix victory in the rain. Following his win, Senna’s teammate, Elio de Angelis, won the next race at San Marino, while Senna secured his second Grand Prix victory that season at Spa-Francorchamps. Overall, the Type 97T earned nine podiums that year, contributing to a third-place finish for Lotus and Senna in the Constructors and Drivers championship. This livery comes in a dark Shadow Grey with gold accents, with the number 12 featured on either side of the car, also in gold, matching the gold wheels.
Emira Inspired by Type 86
In 1980, Lotus transformed the F1 landscape with the innovative twin chassis Type 86, a prototype for the subsequent groundbreaking Type 88. One chassis was designed for aerodynamics with radiator support and the other housed the driver, suspension, engine, and gearbox. This Emira features a blue color with red and silver stripes, reflecting Team Lotus’s sponsorship colors at the time. The ‘LOTUS’ branding on the rear and the number 11 are both showcased in coordinated silver.
Emira Inspired by Type 78
The pioneering Lotus Type 78 from 1977 introduced the revolutionary underfloor wing design to generate low pressure, allowing for improved downforce and reduced drag for enhanced race performance. This highly successful design garnered seven Grand Prix victories and eleven podiums during the 1977 and early 1978 seasons. The Emira sports a dark Shadow grey and gold color scheme, featuring the number 5 (Mario Andretti’s race number in 1977 and 1978) with a half “Union Jack” painted on the side, along with gold and red accents reflected in the calipers and front splitter.
Emira Inspired by Type 25
The Lotus Type 25 remains one of the most significant Formula One cars ever. Driven by Jim Clark, it secured the 1963 F1 Constructors and Drivers World Championships, achieving 14 Grand Prix victories and 18 podiums from 1962 to 1965. The Type 25 introduced the aircraft-style monocoque chassis, which provided advantages in strength, rigidity, and safety, making it the slimmest Formula 1 car in the sport’s history. Notably, it included aircraft-style bag fuel tanks to reduce the risk of leaks. The Emira dons a Dark Verdant Green body with painted Hethel Yellow stripes and black brake calipers, reminiscent of the Type 25’s triumphant 1963 season, while its interior features Black Alcantara and Yellow stitching for a racing-inspired finish.
Availability
The five sets of twelve Emira Limited units are now open for orders at Lotus dealerships in 12 European nations (Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Spain, Luxembourg, France, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark) where they are exclusively offered. Pricing for the Lotus Emira Limited starts at €98,107 in Europe.
Image Source: Lotuscars.com
