Does the Lotus Emira use a Toyota engine?
The Emira’s engine story centers on two powertrain options: one Toyota-sourced V6 and a separate, non-Toyota 2.0-liter turbo four. In short, the V6 option is Toyota-based, while the four-cylinder is not.
Engine options in the Emira
The Emira is offered with two primary engine configurations, reflecting Lotus’s sourcing strategy under its Geely-led ownership. The following summarizes the two choices available to buyers.
- 3.5-liter V6: A Toyota-sourced engine from the 2GR-FE family, previously used in Lotus models such as the Evora and Exige, adapted for the Emira.
- 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4: A non-Toyota engine based on Volvo’s Drive-E architecture, developed and tuned for the Emira in collaboration with Lotus and Geely.
In brief, the Emira pairs a Toyota-based V6 with a Drive-E-based 2.0-liter four, giving buyers a choice between a larger V6 and a lighter, turbocharged four-cylinder.
V6 option: Toyota-sourced 3.5-liter engine
The V6 engine powering the Emira’s top variant is sourced from Toyota and belongs to the 3.5-liter V6 family that Lotus has used in previous models. This engine has a long association with Lotus performance cars, providing strong mid-range torque and a conventional V6 character that appeals to buyers seeking a more muscular driving experience.
Four-cylinder option: Drive-E-based 2.0-liter turbo
The Emira’s four-cylinder option is not Toyota-based. It relies on a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 drawn from Volvo’s Drive-E lineage and adapted for Lotus by its engineering partners. This engine aims to deliver lighter weight, improved efficiency, and a more compact powertrain pairing for the Emira’s chassis.
Background on engine partnerships
The Emira’s engine mix reflects Lotus’s evolving partnerships under Geely ownership. The Toyota-sourced V6 continues a legacy of Toyota-Lotus collaboration on performance V6 powertrains, while the Drive-E-based four-cylinder showcases Lotus’s integration with Volvo/Geely infrastructure to deliver a modern, efficient turbo engine for the brand’s newest sports car.
What this means for buyers
Customers choosing the Emira must decide between the V6 and the four-cylinder, with the former offering the hallmark Toyota V6 characteristics and the latter prioritizing a lighter, potentially more affordable package. Availability and tuning are aligned with Lotus’s engineering priorities and regional market demands.
Summary
In summary, the Lotus Emira does use a Toyota engine—but only in its V6 configuration. The Emira’s base/alternative engine is a Drive-E-based 2.0-liter turbo four, which is not Toyota-sourced. This dual-engine strategy reflects Lotus’s partnerships and provides buyers with two distinct performance profiles in a single model lineup.
