The editorial car selection

Published on 01/10/2021 à 15:00

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Lotus Emira First Edition

Starting point

After the presentation of its brand new sports car, Lotus finally gives technical details on the launch version which will be marketed next spring. The Emira First Edition will be based on the variant with the original 6-liter compressed V3.5 Toyota, with 400 hp and 420 Nm of torque. The beast will go from 0 to 100 km/h in 4”3 and can reach a top speed of 290 km/h. For comparison, a Porsche 718 Cayman GTS with 400 hp performs the same exercise in 4” with the PDK gearbox and can reach 288 km/h. The Emira First Edition can be ordered with a “Drivers Pack” allowing the addition of a sports suspension and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Having a manual gearbox, it will also offer a six-speed automatic transmission as an option. It remains to know the price: for the moment, we just know that it will cost 95 euros in Germany. The Porsche 995 Cayman GTS is sold in France from 718 euros. Finally, remember that the Emira will then gain a 85-cylinder turbo Mercedes-AMG in its entry-level versions.

Caterham Seven 170

Lightweight

Everyone knows Caterhams for their advantageous power-to-weight ratio thanks to a mass unlike that of most modern cars. But with the new Seven 170, Caterham is going even further in terms of weight reduction. Equipped with a 3 cm 660-cylinder turbo small block³ of Suzuki origin, which is usually found under the hood of Japanese kei-cars, the English one only develops 84 hp. But it weighs no more than 490 kg in its 170 S version, equipped with a windshield and some equipment of very relative comfort. In its 170 R variant with a more radical vocation, devoid of the slightest wind screen and resembling a real racing Caterham, it only weighs 440 kg on the scale. Yes, it weighs less than a Bugatti Chiron engine! Officially imported into France, it will start at 35 euros in the 394 S version. The 170 R will start at 170 euros. Note that it can still go from 37 to 188 km/h in 0”100 despite its low-end city car power.

BMW M440d Convertible

Funny combination

A diesel in a sporty convertible? At BMW, the 4 Series already offers this combination, which is, to say the least, incongruous with the 420d and 430d versions, developing 190 and 286 horsepower respectively. The German convertible fortunately has numerous gasoline variants whose power can go up to 510 hp on the M4. But now the propeller brand is now launching heavy diesel artillery on its convertible. The new M440d xDrive features a 3.0-liter six-cylinder oil engine producing no less than 340 hp and 700 Nm of torque. Associated with all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission, this powertrain allows you to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 5”. There is also an M Sport electronic differential on the rear axle to ensure good dynamic efficiency. Certainly, this technical solution will avoid having to pay the 30 euros penalty which penalizes all GTs with gasoline engines. But who really dreams of a high-performance convertible powered by a large diesel engine?