Could Tariffs Significantly Affect Imports of New Emira?

 Posted on June 10, 2025 in Exotic Car Maintenance

Lotus released the Emira V6 SE as its 2026 "star." The Emira is a mid-engine, premium sports car that embodies the transformation of the Lotus brand, featuring all the hallmarks the world expects from Lotus. The Emira is visually dramatic – a true exotic vehicle with a wide, low-slung stance that captures the spirit of a modern supercar while also falling under the exotic car category.

Yet, Emira is also refined, which makes it all the more compelling. EOS Green and Purple Haze metallic are the two newest colors of the Emira V6 SE, and while the colors are exciting and fun, Emira reminds us why the Lotus brand is known for pure driving pleasure. With a six-cylinder powertrain, a supercharged 3.5-liter V6 400 hp engine paired with a six-speed manual gearbox with Limited Slip Differential (LSD), Emira reaches 62 mph in 4.3 seconds.

Whether you already own a Lotus exotic vehicle or are considering purchasing one, it can be helpful to have a Washington, D.C. expert vehicle technician from Rosso Service who can help you keep your Lotus or other exotic vehicle in top-notch shape. Whether you need maintenance or repair services, we have highly trained technicians who will take your service experience to the next level.

Why You Should Consider the New Emira

A new compression mount for the manual gearbox is introduced in Emira, which results in more precise gear changes. Sharper handling and increased ride comfort are provided through subtle adjustments in wheel alignment and optimized damper calibration. There are two suspension/chassis settings. The Tour is for everyday road use, providing a more comfortable ride and dynamic handling. Sport features hydraulic steering and a stiffer suspension for enhanced capabilities.  

In addition to the two extraordinary colors listed above, the Emira comes standard in Zinc Grey, with 20-inch forged alloy wheels and a luxurious interior. Emira can be personalized with 15 exterior colors, eight wheel designs, and seven interior themes. Along with the introduction of the Lotus Emira V6 SE, the existing Emira models have been upgraded with technical enhancements that improve daily driving comfort and track performance.

The Dual Clutch Transmission offers faster shift times thanks to recalibration. Lotus also optimized the cooling system to provide a more stable interior temperature when the outside temperature is high. Options include fatigue detection, blind spot warning, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, and high beam assist.   

If You Are Considering a Lotus Emira, Your Window of Time is Closing

The Lotus brand, like many other automobiles, is laboring under the new tariffs. Because of the tariffs, Lotus is cutting 270 jobs, citing "volatile and evolving market conditions." Part of the job cuts are due to the EV brands introduced by Lotus – the Electre SUV and the Emeya Sedan. Luxury EV demand has been falling, and these two EVs, overall, are not competitive in either range or performance.

The Electre and Emeya are also built in Wuhan, China, where the 145 percent tax on imports applies. For the Emira, built in the U.K., the lower 25 percent tariff is equally unsustainable, considering the U.S. is one of the most important markets for Lotus. The tariffs would consume the bulk of the profit margin, meaning Lotus is unlikely to send its cars to the U.S., at least for the foreseeable future.

Contact a Baltimore, MD Exotic Car Maintenance and Repair Expert

Time will tell how the car tariffs will shake out. If you already own a Lotus vehicle or are considering buying one, you might choose to find a Lotus that has already been imported to the U.S. to avoid tariff fees.

Your Lotus or other exotic car will receive the highest level of care when you have a Northern Virginia, MD exotic car maintenance and repair expert from Rosso Service. Drop-offs can be scheduled 24 hours a day, and transportation services are available in some situations. We offer tours of our state-of-the-art facility. Call 410-638-2886 to schedule your appointment.