Well-loaded First Edition version will land in second quarter of 2022.

THE first all-new Lotus in several decades will provision purely in its best-dressed and most powerful form for its first year on sale here.

Lotus New Zealand has confirmed it will only sell the new Emira with a V6 and in its First Edition trim package during 2022.

An operation whose national distribution will come from a new facility in Auckland still under construction says it is taking orders from now on for this $177,000 offer, with first cars set to land some time between April and June.

Asked if New Zealand would be subject to a specific count of cars, a spokesman said: “It is limited to first year of production … Lotus Auckland will endeavour to fulfil NZ demand.”

Emira is also designed to take a four-cylinder engine and that model is also entering build next year in the swank First Edition trim, however NZ is not among markets taking that one.

Instead it appears await the regular format model, seemingly more likely to be a 2023 add-in.

The First Edition programme sees the models take, as standard, features that will include as options packs in the regular editions. Lotus NZ cannot say how much of a premium the versions carry over the standard V6, also due in 2023.

The car is developed on a new lightweight bonded aluminium chassis and the six-cylinder is a Toyota unit supercharged by Lotus and mid-mounted behind the two seats.

Developing 298kW and 420Nm when mated to a six-speed manual gearbox with a visible gearchange mechanism (rising to 430Nm with the optional six-speed auto) and hydraulic power-assisted steering.

The car rides on 20-inch ultra-lightweight V-spoke forged alloy wheels, diamond cut to create a premium two-tone finish. Two-piece brake discs with branded calipers are part of the First Edition spec, plus a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

The First Edition comes in one of six paint colours: Seneca Blue – the hue seen at the car’s launch in July – Magma Red, Hethel Yellow, Dark Verdant, Shadow Grey and Nimbus Grey. More colours will be available during 2022.

Exterior details include LED lights all round, a titanium exhaust finisher, heated power-fold door mirrors and rear parking sensors. The Lower Black Pack is fitted as standard, which means the front bumper air blades, front splitter, side sills and rear diffuser are all in finished in gloss black.

There are seven interior colour choices, all available at no extra cost. They are red, black, grey and tan Nappa leather, as well as black Alcantara with either red, yellow or grey stitching.

Satin chrome trim finishers, white interior mood lighting and Lotus-branded sill kick plates complete the look.

The heated seats feature 12-way adjustability and two memory pre-sets linked to the door mirrors (driver’s seat only). Climate control, cruise control, keyless start and selectable drive modes are all included.

Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite navigation (in selected markets) are integrated into the Emira V6 First Edition, supported by Bluetooth and USB/12v sockets. The 10-channel/340W premium audio system has been developed in partnership with British brand KEF. All functions are accessed through a 10.25-inch centrally mounted touch-screen, with driver feedback through a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster ahead of the multi-function steering wheel.

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Three more option packs are fitted as standard to the car, making four in total. The Drivers Pack gives customer the choice of Tour or Sport suspension with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tyres, or Sport suspension with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.

The Design Pack adds privacy glass, sports pedals, a black Alcantara headliner, and the choice of black, red, yellow or silver painted brake callipers. Lotus-branded footwell mats are also included.

The Convenience Pack adds front parking sensors, rear reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers with aero blades, auto-dimming mirrors and a rear luggage storage net.