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Top Gear
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Lotus has tweaked the Emira and added a new ‘V6 SE' top-spec model
Lotus has tweaked the Emira and added a new 'V6 SE' top-spec model And if you don't fancy spending £96.5k, there's now a cheaper, less powerful entry-level called the 'Turbo' Skip 16 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. 1 / 16 Lotus has rejigged its Emira lineup for what feels like the 63rd time this year, adding a new range-topping 'V6 SE' and entry-level 'Turbo'. It means the pre-existing Turbo SE now shifts into the middle ground. Of course. As the name suggests, the V6 SE will continue to use Toyota's 3.5-litre supercharged, er, V6. Rated at 400bhp and 310lb ft of torque, it's good for 0-62mph in 4.3s. To help you do just that, the six-speed manual 'box gains a new compression mount for slicker shifts. Advertisement - Page continues below Elsewhere, Lotus has tweaked the damper calibration and made subtle tweaks to the wheel alignment, sharpening up the handling and improving ride quality as a result. Aside from the model-specific badging, the V6 will get 20in forged alloys, red brake calipers and a 'Zing Grey' paint finish as standard. You'll also get the option of Lotus' new 'Racing Line' accents, which add a subtle pinstripe to the exterior and colour-matched mirror caps. Moving on to the Turbo, it'll pinch the same twin-scroll 2.0-litre four-pot as the Turbo SE, albeit detuned to 360bhp and 317lb ft. Still, it's just one-tenth off the V6's 0-62mph time, and tops out at a still respectable 171mph (compared to the V6's 180mph). The kit list is healthy too: 10in infotainment screen, 190-watt audio system and 12-way adjustable seats as standard. Plus, a safety suite with technologies like Traffic Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Warning and Fatigue Detection. Advertisement - Page continues below Lotus has also made technical improvements to the Emira, such as an optimised heating system for better coolant flow, and a higher engine start-up temperature so it's better suited to harsh conditions. Basically, it'll kick into life more easily when British weather does… British weather things. The V6 SE and Turbo will be available from September, priced at £96,500 and £79,500 respectively. Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email*
Car and Driver
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2026 BMW M2 Review, Pricing, and Specs
Overview Few modern cars channel their heritage as linearly as the 2026 BMW M2. Though it packs all the tech and conveniences required of a modern vehicle, at its heart remains a hypnotic powertrain comprised of a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six paired with your choice of an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. Combined with an agile rear-wheel-drive chassis, the M2 Coupe delivers the type of involving and visceral driving experience that's become increasingly uncommon. As good as the M2 is, BMW has upped the ante for 2026 with the introduction of an M2 CS (Competition Sport) model that shaves off nearly 100 pounds of weight and ramps the standard car's 473 ponies up to 523. What's New for 2026? BMW has added an M2 CS model to the lineup. Lighter and more powerful than the already potent M2, it also features several unique interior and exterior details, including a carbon fiber diffuser and multiple CS logos throughout. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2026 BMW M2 is expected to start around $67,000 and go up to $99,775 depending on the trim and options. M2 $67,000 (est) M2 CS $99,775 0 $25k $50k $75k $100k $125k $150k Previously, choosing the M2 with standard six-speed manual and the M Driver's Package was a simple decision. But with the M2 CS in the picture for 2026, buyers will need to assess their individual situation. If performance and track days are the primary goal, the M2 CS is the best choice. But if your plans are like ours, with plenty of winding backroads with long sweepers and the occasional commute mixed in, we'd stick with the base M2 and row-your-own manual. It's no slouch in the performance department itself, and it starts at more than $30k less. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The 2025 M2 is pure Bavarian muscle. The base M2 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six rated for 473 horsepower; torque remains at 406 pound-feet for the manual car, but the automatic gets a little muscle love with 443 pound-feet of torque. It's a nice bonus, but we feel shifting for yourself is a worthy tradeoff for the reduction in low-end torque. The new M2 CS uses the same basic engine but cranks up the output to 523 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, all funneled to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Of course, it wouldn't be an M car without a specially tuned suspension and various other chassis enhancements that help it to be the quickest version of the 2-series to circle a race circuit. The M2 CS has specific damper and spring rates and a 0.2-inch lower ride height. While we haven't driven the CS yet, we found the standard M2 to be nothing short of smile-inducing, crisply snapping into turns with the chassis remaining controlled even over slight bumps. 0–60-MPH Times During testing of a 2023 M2 with the automatic transmission, C/D's test driver hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and cleared the quarter in 11.7 seconds. The M2 with a manual transmission yielded a 3.9-second 0-60 time and a 12.2-second quarter-mile with a trap speed of 118 mph. BMW is claiming a 3.7-second 0-60 run for the new 2026 M2 CS, but given our previous experience, we expect it to be a few tenths quicker. We'll update this space with the latest performance results as soon as we test the 2026 M2 and M2 CS models. View Exterior Photos BMW Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 M2 yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings of 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, with either manual or automatic transmission. The 2024 M2 with the manual returned 26 mpg on our 75-mph highway fuel economy test route, beating its estimate by 2 mpg. For more information about the M2's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo Inside, the M2 features the same layout as the regular 2-series coupe. Passenger space is plentiful for front-seat riders, but those relegated to the rear may be wishing you had sprung for the larger 3-series sedan. There's a flat-bottomed wheel with a fresh tri-spoke design, and a new upholstery combo—black with red stitching—is on offer. Opt for the Carbon Fiber package and a layer of the stuff is draped on multiple surfaces of the M2's cabin and the sport seats are swapped out for more aggressive body-hugging buckets said to save 24 pounds. The weight-saving Carbon seats in the Carbon Fiber package are also available as a stand-alone option, and the M2 CS gets standard black leather seat upholstery, several "CS" callouts across the interior, and removable headrests to better accommodate helmets. View Interior Photos BMW Infotainment and Connectivity A digital monolith of a screen sweeping across the dash informs the driver of every bit of data they could possibly need (and probably a few things they don't). A 12.3-inch display behind the steering wheel serves as a reconfigurable gauge cluster and seamlessly transitions to a larger 14.9-inch touchscreen that provides access to BMW's 8.5 proprietary operating system, the latest version of BMW's iDrive infotainment system software. The update also moves all climate control functions, including seat heating and–if specified–steering wheel heating to the touchscreen, but they can also be operated via voice command. Navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard; a head-up display and 5G connectivity are both optional. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features All M2s come with basic driver-assistance features such as automated emergency braking and adaptive cruise control but if you want more advanced tech, such as a stop-and-go feature for the cruise control, you'll have to pay extra—and opt for the automatic transmission. For more information about the M2's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include: Standard automated emergency braking Standard lane-departure warning Standard adaptive cruise control Warranty and Maintenance Coverage Compared with its direct competitors, BMW has equal or better warranty coverage. Specifically, it has an unrivaled complimentary scheduled maintenance program. Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles Specifications Specifications 2023 BMW M2 Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe PRICE Base/As Tested: $63,195/$75,345 Options: Carbon package (carbon-fiber trim, roof, and bucket seats, M Driver's package), $9900; Live Cockpit Pro, $1100; adaptive LED headlights, $650; Shadowline package, $300; BMW M 50 Years emblems, $200 ENGINE twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection Displacement: 183 in3, 2993 cm3 Power: 453 hp @ 6250 rpm Torque: 406 lb-ft @ 2650 rpm TRANSMISSION 6-speed manual CHASSIS Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink Brakes, F/R: 15.0-in vented, cross-drilled disc/14.6-in vented, cross-drilled, disc Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S F: 275/35ZR-19 (100Y) ★ R: 285/30ZR-20 (99Y) ★ DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 108.1 in Length: 180.3 in Width: 74.3 in Height: 55.2 in Passenger Volume, F/M/R: 52/33 ft3 Trunk Volume: 14 ft3 Curb Weight: 3745 lb C/D TEST RESULTS 30 mph: 1.5 sec 60 mph: 3.9 sec 100 mph: 8.7 sec 1/4-Mile: 12.2 sec @ 118 mph 130 mph: 14.6 sec 150 mph: 21.5 sec Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec. Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.6 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 7.3 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 6.2 sec Top Speed (mfr's claim): 177 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 154 ft Braking, 100–0 mph: 302 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 1.03 g C/D FUEL ECONOMY Observed: 17 mpg 75-mph Highway Driving: 26 mpg 75-mph Highway Range: 350 mi EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: 19/16/24 mpg C/D TESTING EXPLAINED More Features and Specs
