The 2026 Lotus Emira Scura Is a Dark Homage to the Exige
This special Emira nods to the original Lotus Exige Scura from 2009, on a modern V-6 platform.
In 2009, Lotus unveiled a special Exige that was designed as a track-focused model with matte black paint, a version known as the Scura. This darkened, lightweight sports car also utilized the supercharged engine from the Exige Cup car with an 8,000-rpm limiter, and Lotus built just 35 examples. Now the company brings back the Scura name for the 2026 Emira as an homage to that original, stealthy little car.
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Just like that original, the new Scura is a limited-edition model with just 60 units available here in North America. It begins its high-performance journey by adding the Driver’s Pack that includes the Sport suspension option and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Based on our previous testing of an Emira, that should be good enough for a 4.2-second 0–60-mph run, 1.06 g of lateral grip, and a 24.0-second MotorTrend figure-eight time. Hopefully the build quality will be far better than what we experienced in our previous testing saga.
Paint also makes a Scura, and for the 2026 edition, Lotus chose to cover it in Satin Nebulous Grey for a modern match to the original matte black. The other difference is that there isn’t a gloss-black stripe on the Emira; instead, gloss black is used on the roof, mirror caps, and other bits of exterior trim. The wheels are a set of gloss-black 20-inch V-spoke forged wheels, but they don’t hide the brightly colored red calipers behind them. The final external touch is the special “Scura” badging that denotes this as a special version of the Emira.
Inside, the seats are covered in Alcantara with red contrast stitching, and the seat belts use red webbing. The steering wheel has a red 12 o’clock position marker and red stitching to match the seats, and Scura badging is also present inside the cabin. Finally, privacy glass adds to the stealth look and prevents leering eyes from spotting who’s inside the car as the driver and passenger enjoy music and entertainment coming from the KEF 10-speaker audio system.
The 2026 Lotus Emira Scura will go into production any day now, but Lotus will announce pricing at a later date.
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Having experience in many forms of the automotive industry, Justin Banner has done more than just write about cars. For more than 15 years, he's had experience working as an automotive service technician—including a stint as a Virginia State Inspector—service advisor, parts sales, and aftermarket parts technical advisor (a fancy way of saying he helped you on the phone when you had trouble fitting your brakes over your aftermarket wheels and the like). Prior to his tenure as a full-time editor, Justin worked as a freelance writer and photographer for various publications and as an automotive content creator on YouTube. He’s also covered multiple forms of motorsports ranging from Formula Drift, drag racing, and time attack, to NASCAR, short course off-roading, and open desert racing. He's best known for breaking down complex technical concepts so a layperson can more easily understand why technologies, repairs, and parts should matter to them. At MotorTrend, Justin is part of the news team covering breaking news and topics while also working as a judge for MotorTrend Of the Year events and other major comparison tests.
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