Since its launch, the British mid-engined Lotus Emira has earned a reputation for its pure driving joy. Often compared to the BMW M2, Alpine A110, and especially the Porsche 718, some even crown it the best driver’s car on the market. And with many of its competitors since receiving more track-focused editions, it was only a matter of time before Lotus did — and now they have, with the new Lotus Emira Bathurst Edition.
Exclusive to the Australian market, this special-edition Emira was built to effortlessly tackle the Mount Panorama racetrack in Bathurst, Australia — hence the name. At first glance, it stands out with subtle yet striking details, which include new stickers above the bonnet vents, Bathurst badges along the sides and rear, and a massive GT-4-inspired wing dominating the back.
Beneath the surface, the Emira Bathurst edition has been further honed for serious track duty. It gains three-way adjustable dampers, revised wheel alignment settings, and a lowered ride height for sharper responses. Braking performance is bolstered by AP Racing four-piston callipers at both ends clamping onto two-piece ventilated discs, while the wheels come standard with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, with stickier Yokohama A052 rubber available as an option.
And with upgrades like these, you’d expect more power, right? You’d be correct. Based on the four-cylinder Emira, the Bathurst Edition retains the Mercedes-AMG-sourced 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, but now producing a hefty 510 hp (375 kW) and 600 Nm — a significant jump from the standard four-cylinder’s 365 hp and 420 Nm. For reference, even the 3.5-litre supercharged V6 variant produces 405 hp and 420 Nm, meaning this is now the most powerful Emira to date.
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Apart from that, the Bathurst Edition retains the same eight-speed dual-clutch transmission as the standard model, with power sent exclusively to the rear wheels. Lotus has yet to quote official 0-100 km/h or top speed figures, but expect a healthy improvement over the regular car, which completes the century sprint in 4.4 seconds and tops out at 290 km/h.
According to CarExpert, the Lotus Emira Bathurst Edition is priced at AUD249,990 (approx. RM691k) before on-the-road costs. That makes it AUD50,000 (approx. RM138k) more than the standard four-cylinder model, and AUD40,000 (approx. RM111k) pricier than the Emira Turbo SE. While that may not seem too steep for a special-edition Lotus, here’s the real kicker: production is limited to just 15 units.
As previously mentioned, the Bathurst Edition is exclusive to Australia, so don’t expect to see it landing on Malaysian shores anytime soon. If you’re still keen on the Emira, prices here start from RM1,095,000 on-the-road without insurance for the four-cylinder variant, rising to RM1,131,800 for the V6. Not quite Bathurst wild, but still a very capable sports car and every bit a proper Lotus.
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