Lotus Emira: Jenson Button delivers his verdict after exclusive world-first test drive
- “It’s exceptional and I’m a big fan” said ex-F1 champion after lapping Hethel track
- Jenson was a special guest at Hethel premiere of all-new Lotus sports car
- "Emira would give a lot of supercars a run for their money” says long-time Lotus fan and customer
(Hethel, UK – 6 July 2021) – “It’s exceptional and I’m a big fan” – the words of former F1 world champion Jenson Button after more than 30 laps of the Hethel test track during the launch celebrations for the all-new Lotus Emira.
A film of his exclusive world-first test drive was played to the on-site audience and tens of thousands of viewers from around the world watching the livestream on the Lotus website and social channels.
Jenson commented: “You always expect a Lotus to have good mechanical grip through the low-speed corners but there was plenty of downforce in the high-speed corners too. That means the feeling of great balance is the same no matter how you’re driving it. It’s exceptional and I’m a big fan.”
Finding the right position when behind the wheel for the first time is key for every driver, not just the professionals, and Jenson said once he’d done that the Emira “just felt right”. He added: “The overall position of the gearstick in relation to the wheel, the pedals, everything was where it should be and that gives you great confidence from the start. I love the infotainment system too, which has everything you need and is really simple so you can get back to the important part, which is the driving.”
The everyday useability of the Emira didn’t pass him by either, thanks to the high levels of comfort, functionality, technology and practicality. “The Lotus purists will love it, and the thing that people new to Lotus will love is the premium quality of the interior. When you’re in there you’re immersed in the seat and cockpit, and there’s a lot of lower back support so it will be comfortable for long journeys. That’s going to surprise people.”
Jenson said one element of the car had stunned him. “I’m still in shock at the price. Starting at under £60,000 it’s fantastic and means so many people are going to have the opportunity to experience it first-hand. It’s being called a junior supercar but it would give a lot of supercars a run for their money… and it’s more comfortable than most of them!”
Jenson is a long-time Lotus fan and customer of the all-electric Evija hypercar. In March this year it was announced that Lotus Engineering, the consultancy division of the business, is collaborating as Technical Partner to JBXE, Jenson’s Extreme E race team. A Chief Engineer with expertise in electric powertrains joined the team for the second round of racing in Senegal last month, helping JBXE to finish on the podium for the first time.
Ends
Notes to Editors
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About Lotus
Group Lotus is based in Hethel, Norfolk, UK – home to its sports and hypercar manufacturing operations, Lotus Advanced Performance Centre and the iconic 2.2-mile test track. It is part of Geely Automotive, the fastest growing automotive group in the world. Geely has a 51% controlling stake, with 49% owned by Etika Automotive, a Malaysian conglomerate.
Lotus Cars builds world-class, high-performance cars, born out of legendary successes on the race track including 13 FIA Formula 1 world titles and many other championship honours. In July 2021 it unveiled the all-new Lotus Emira, its last and best-of-breed petrol-powered sports car. The first customer cars will be delivered in 2022. In July 2019 it launched the Evija, the world’s first all-electric British hypercar.
Lotus Engineering provides a comprehensive consultancy service which works with many of the world's OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and other clients outside of the automotive sector. It is internationally recognised for its long-standing contribution to ground-breaking engineering and vehicle development. An international consultancy with offices around the world, Lotus Engineering is headquartered at the Lotus Advanced Technology Centre on the University of Warwick’s Wellesbourne Campus in the UK.