Mid-engine? Rear Wheel Drive? Manual Transmission? Meet the 2023 Lotus Emira - Jay Leno's Garage

I am part of the team that machines the gearbox casings as well as many bespoke components at Lotus. I am very proud of the work I do, and very proud to be part of the Lotus company.

This has to be one of the best sounding v6 engines around right now.

In my mind, this is the perfect sports car. Gorgeous styling, great interior (finally!), and the incredible reliability of a Toyota! Great sounds, great looks, great handling...What more could you ask for? Thanks for another great episode, Jay and crew! ✌️❤️🙂🇨🇦

This was like one of Jay's pandemic episodes! Simple, basic, just Jay. Love it!

Much better when Jay goes solo, not having a shot-gun rider trying to sell the car.😏

I love how Jay has resources to buy any car he likes yet is smitten by car makers who produce incredibly equipped and well handling vehicles that other brands charge considerably more or surpasses vehicles of equal value. Jay has wealth but is more taken by value and offerings over brand and hype.

Lotus knocked it out of the park with the Emira, a truly beautiful car

LOL! At 2:21 I was whining out loud about this being the last gas powered Lotus, and Jay perfectly cuts me off with “I know, I know! But let’s enjoy it while we can.” He really knows his audience!!

When you see that smile on Jay's face, you know this car is great!

Having rescued a 1970 Lotus I know how much fun a light car is. My Europa weighs in at 1400 Lbs! As Colin Chapman said " A high horsepower car is fast in a straight line, a light car is fast every where else."

There's something about Jay smiling brightens up my whole day and being British seeing him love a lotus makes me proud 💙

jay's chill style paired with the superb production value is what makes these videos so good

I love to see Jay smile and act like a teenager when he likes the car... true honesty is so refreshing when new cars are being reviewed these days.

Regarding the manual gearbox, obviously an MX 5 is not the same league as this but when I bought my MX 5 in 2021 they said 50% of all new MX 5 were selected as manuals which is nice to hear because even if it's not a performance car, it is a drivers car.

Jay's knowledge of cars just can't be beat.

Being born in 1960 and loving cars, you’re so right that Lotus was renown as great-handling, rare cars in my neck of the woods. But, even as a teenager, I wondered how I could squeeze into one! Now, this one looks perfect. Thanks Jay and your crew. Lotsa love to all from Toronto ❤❤❤ PS Mice to see you must have 8 more lives to go!

If it had old school gauges it would be perfect for me.

British B roads are where Lotus always excels, light and not too much power, if you have more power your in a field way to quickly, the Emira is just stunning.

In 2004, I bought my dream car: a 1991 NSX manual with 62000 miles. It cost me $30K and I flew one way from Dallas to Denver and drove it back. No one knew what it was; my insurance agent (State Farm) did not show it in his database so had to take photos of it to insure it. That's how much of a sales failure the car was in 1991. I sold mine 4 years later for $28K to a guy who drove up in a 1994 Lotus Esprit. I drove his car while he drove mine. 🙂 Of course he bought mine. Now, it is a legend and I could not even afford to buy my old car back if I wanted it. LOL.

Thank you so much for this Jay! Seeing a modern sports car bring back the classic loved manual and keeping it simple means someone out there still understands us. It was wonderful to ride along with you in such a nice Lotus!