Best for: Ferrari vibes
For a similar price to a well-specified Porsche 718 Cayman, you could demonstrate your confidence by choosing a Lotus Emira instead.
Admittedly, with it backed by Geely and powered by Toyota or Mercedes-AMG, the risks are rather lower than with Lotus models of the past. The advantages of track-tuned, road-friendly suspension and lightweight composite construction are still present and, thanks to significant investment in the firm, rather more correct than before.
The Emira is the final Lotus with a conventional combustion engine, although the four-cylinder I4 version pushes that word’s definition of by adopting a version of AMG’s magnificent M139 2.0-litre screamer. It’s tuned for 360bhp, leaving the 400bhp supercharged V6 from Toyota at the top of the range.
The end result is visceral, unfiltered and not entirely competent in every department, but it feels special, like a scaled-down Ferrari, with interior materials and styling that make it feel a league ahead of Alpine A110 in the exotica stakes.
Despite the high-revving howl and performance of the Emira I4, the V6 still feels like the better – and safer – buy.
