Lotus unveils it's latest sports car, the Emira

As we know, Lotus is a builder of sports cars. Good ones too, but Lotus is also an engineering company creating designs and doing engineering work for other automakers. Some of these car companies cannot afford extensive internal engineering departments. Lotus even creates platforms for others to use, like Tesla did with the original Roadster. It has been reported that Lotus has designed three EV platforms, one for their upcoming SUV, one for sports cars, and one that is offered to other automakers. Geeley, Lotus' parent, will use this platform for an upcoming EV. It has also been reported that the Emira will be Lotus' last model with an internal-combustion engine (ICE). Lotus calls the Emira their most accomplished Lotus ever made, which is saying something. The mid-engine design will feature two engines. At launch, the first cars will be available as limited-production ‘First Edition’ models powered by the Lotus-honed supercharged 3.5-litre V6 that creates 400hp. The V6 engine is source from Toyota and breathed on (heavily) by Lotus. The second engine is a four-cylinder engine that was developed by AMG and Lotus that produces 360 hp. AMG is the performance division of Mercedes Benz, so Lotus is hangin' with good company. A manual, an automatic, and a dual-clutch automatic are the transmission choices. The Emira is loaded with safety equipment and tech like the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) which includes adaptive cruise control, anti-collision system, fatigue alert, road sign information, vehicle speed limiter, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, lane change assist and much more. Click on "read more" below for all the details and an extensive (read long) video of the Emira reveal. Like most Lotus offerings, the cars can be extensively personalized. For example, Emira will be available with six exterior paint colors – Hethel Yellow, Shadow Grey, Magma Red, Nimbus Grey, Dark Verdant and the launch finish of Seneca Blue (shown). Seven interior colours are available – Black Nappa leather, Red Nappa leather, Grey Nappa leather, Tan Nappa leather, Black Alcantara with grey stitch, Black Alcantara with red stitch and Black Alcantara with yellow stitch. There are five wheel choices – cast 10-spoke, gloss black 10-spoke, silver forged V-spoke, gloss black forged V-spoke and diamond cut forged V-spoke) – with four brake caliper colours – black, red, yellow and silver. Choose away at their digital visualiser showcasing the car’s striking design which can be found at www.lotuscars.com. Prices should be just under six figures, but can go higher with lots of checks on the options sheet. Emira will be available early next year. No word on US deliveries. Enjoy.

Source: Lotus - Media release, pics, spec sheet, and video

TA.b - Auto-themed fun - Update

I haven't done this in a while, in fact my last post like this was deleted because the video was no longer available. I'll admit that I like Geico's car insurance ads (there's the auto theme) due to their play on words and humor. I'll admit that I use Geico's services and have since the company was known as the Government Employees Insurance COmpany. That is a static screen capture above, but the actual video and others are available after the jump. Enjoy. Always makes me smile, you?

Update: One of my all-time favorites, the Woodchucks commercial, has seemingly been pulled (like I said above). I'm leaving it cuz it may be back.

Source: Geico/YouTube - 2, 3 Videos after the "read more" jump.