‘I think I’m gonna be sick’: Carving up mountain roads in the Lotus Emira

What do you get when you combine a fast car with one of Victoria’s most legendary driving roads? Apart from the possibility of an ill passenger, here’s what awaits you.

My driving position is set, my hands firmly clench the lavish Alcantara steering wheel, and I can almost hear my heart pumping through my racing helmet.

Track mode selected, deep breath in, game face on. The anticipation is palpable as I wait for a thumbs-up.

I’m behind the wheel of the Lotus Emira, ready to tackle one of the most thrilling roads in Victoria.

If that wasn’t enough, the road ahead is closed off, the speed limit has been raised to 130km/h, and the only task of the day is to, well, drive. Not a bad gig.

This golden ticket landed in my inbox only a week prior but I leapt at it, given it’s the kind that doesn’t come around often. I was invited to attend a Lotus customer drive day in Lake Mountain, approximately 120 kilometres northeast of Melbourne.

While the destination was top-tier, the real headline act was the British sports car – the last of its kind in the Lotus line-up.

The Emira is a mid-engined sports car and the last petrol-powered road car that the brand will make. Sigh. For three-pedal lovers like myself, thankfully, there’s a manual option, along with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This drive focuses solely on the auto option.

At $209,990 plus on-road costs, it doesn’t undercut its accomplished rival, the Porsche Cayman GTS, but for your spend you’ll score a unique, technologically advanced sports car with an impressive cabin and plenty of charm.

Seeing the car in the metal for the first time, I have to say that some styling elements reminded me of a Ferrari, particularly along the side with the aggressive lines and air intakes.

At the same time, it has its own personality and plenty of it. The Emira’s appearance is seductive, with sharp angles, a dramatic rear, and a fierce front. While the rear windshield is exposed, unfortunately, the engine itself is concealed with an underwhelming plastic cover.

The cabin, too, is aesthetically pleasing, with every detail meticulously designed and executed. I’ve sat in my fair share of premium sports cars, and while this interior doesn’t rate at the top of my favourites list, it’s plush and inviting with sprinkles of sportiness.

The trim is available with a leather or Alcantara finish, depending on your styling preferences.

For a small sports car, there’s surprisingly no shortage of space, making it easy to set a comfortable driving position. And while I usually feel more at ease sitting up high in an SUV, the Emira felt secure and comfortable, not as though I was sunken close to the ground.

The large front windscreen stretches out with a clear view of the road ahead, but rear visibility is somewhat limited, as is to be expected from a sporty and sleek design.

Influenced by the Evija electric hypercar, the Emira’s styling is fresh and contemporary. The forward-thinking design language signifies a positive move for the brand as it steps away from being a niche marque to a global luxury performance brand.

Now that you’re familiar with the Emira let me take you back to the starting line.

I’ve partaken in countless drive days, but it hasn’t changed how I feel before jumping in a test vehicle.

It’s quite a confounding feeling. I’m always nervous when driving a car that isn’t mine, is super quick, and is worth the same price as a one-bedroom studio apartment in Melbourne’s CBD. Along with the nervousness comes a heightened sense of anticipation and concentration.

Funnily enough, as soon as I clicked the gear lever into drive and put my foot to the floor, that fear dissipated. There’s a loud, energetic exhaust note followed by the whine of the 3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine idling away, and from the outset, this car impressed with near-instant response.

Usually, the first run should be used as a reconnaissance mission. It’s the perfect opportunity to get a feel for the power, the steering wheel in your hands, how it handles, and what to expect from the road stretching before you. Hot tip: have the route map on your display screen for a helping hand.

To my surprise, I didn’t hold back on my initial lap and wholeheartedly committed. Not that I was breaking any rules or being unsafe; I just instantly felt connected and comfortable. Feeling at ease goes beyond physical comfort; it’s about feeling a sense of control and trust in the machine at higher speeds.

And trust the Emira I did. Paddle-shifters engaged immediately, speed building. Click it into second, third… wow! Why bother with ‘auto mode’ when you have an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission at your fingertips?

I found myself unable to erase the smile from my face, adrenaline coursing through my body, prompting exuberant squeals of joy. It’s easy to jump from 60km/h to 100km/h in the blink of an eye, and that’s without putting Lotus’s claimed 0 to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds into practice.

That might not sound blisteringly quick, but it’s quite a change of pace when you’re used to driving a medium SUV with limited power on a daily.

The Emira was the ultimate vehicle to take cruising through Lake Mountain, with picturesque views of lush green forests and mountainous terrain surrounding you.

The main act, Lake Mountain Road is known for its winding and twisty sections, featuring hairpin bends, switchbacks, and elevation changes, a lot of which can sneak up on you with little warning. So, while I was having the time of my life, a technical stint like this requires precise steering and control, meaning I was hyper-focused throughout.

Set upon a road with such relentless back-to-back cornering action, the Lotus Emira tackled each bend with an eager attitude. Mid-corner bumps were flattened out without upsetting the car’s poise, while the sports car’s short, stout stature remained composed in terms of body control, too.

It was a pleasure to steer the Emira’s nose through each successive bend, with a light-feeling hydraulic steering setup communicating road surface information and feeling in pure control of the Emira’s tracking. And take it from someone who completely misjudged the sharpness of a turn; the brakes are exceptional.

Our car was specified with the Touring chassis, which, although not the hardest-edged suspension setup for this kind of driving, still felt supremely capable of dynamic driving, whatever the conditions.

After three consecutive loops on my lonesome while chatting to a GoPro (check out the video above), it’s no surprise the time seemed to fly by and my jaunt was over in the blink of an eye, and just when I felt I had finally mastered the route.

I have to say, the sensation of effortlessly reaching high speeds is exhilarating, but it’s the feeling of driving in the middle of the road at 130km per hour that fills you with a euphoric high. While this is a feeling you can only understand if you’re an adrenaline seeker, it unfortunately creates an addictive sensation, leaving you craving more.

This isn’t the case for everyone, though. During my first lap, I glanced over at our lovely photographer, who, unbeknownst to me, was battling motion sickness. A pallid complexion and uncomfortable stillness had replaced the initial excitement in his eyes.

As I couldn’t communicate with the lead car and would have a convoy of vehicles arriving at the start line in a matter of minutes, I had no choice but to drop him off at the side of the road. I felt awful! Fortunately, after a dose of fluids and a respite from the passenger seat, he returned to his cheerful self.

While I haven’t had the pleasure of owning a sports car just yet, the prospect of having a vehicle that opens the door to such experiences is undeniably enticing.

Many attendees at this drive day participate in various events throughout the year. As an owner, you can be involved in various unique events and driving experiences, including track days and prestigious tarmac rallies like Targa. With that in mind, I can certainly envision a sports car in my future.

For me, the combination of an open road and a capable sports car is one of life’s greatest pleasures. The downside of being a part of an experience like this is the aftermath. Handing the helmet back, turning over the keys, and returning to my ordinary vehicle left me feeling somewhat dejected.

Nevertheless, it was a great day away from the office, one that will forever be etched in my memory. Sadly, driving the mighty mountain will never be quite the same again.

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