2025 Lotus Emira V6 First Edition

Hethel Yellow paint and a three-pedal manual gearbox make this 2025 Emira V6 First Edition one of the more enthusiast-focused ways to buy Lotus's last petrol-powered sports car. It uses the 3.5-litre supercharged V6 producing 398 bhp and 420 lb-ft, driving the rear wheels through a six-speed manual, and Lotus quotes 4.3 seconds to 60 mph and a 180 mph top speed.

The car has covered just 925 miles, so it is effectively run-in and has barely begun to depreciate through use. The First Edition specification is supplemented by the Lower Black Pack exterior trim, Touring suspension for a more compliant road setting, a reversing camera and a black Alcantara steering wheel. Inside are 12-way adjustable seats with memory for seat and mirror positions, heated seats, and a 10-channel, 340W KEF audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Emira's blend of hand-finished Hethel build quality, Toyota-derived V6 reliability and genuine steering feel has made it a rewarding alternative to the Porsche Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder. In yellow with the manual gearbox, it is a combination that should hold appeal as the final chapter of the combustion-engined Lotus.