Lotus Emira First Edition AT vs First Edition MT
Verdict
There is no price walk here: both Emira First Edition variants cost RM1,131,800, use the same 3,456 cc petrol engine, send power to the rear wheels and hit 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. The AT gets 430 Nm, the MT gets 420 Nm, so the automatic has a tiny torque edge. But the real split is character. The manual is the purer last-ICE Lotus choice, while the automatic makes more sense if you want the Emira experience with less effort in Malaysian traffic.
Pick the Lotus Emira First Edition AT if you want the same 400 hp and 4.3-second pace with a conventional automatic and 430 Nm.
Pick the Lotus Emira First Edition MT if you want the manual gearbox experience in Lotus’ last internal-combustion sports car and can live with 420 Nm.
Key differences
- Price: Lotus Emira First Edition AT RM1,131,800; Lotus Emira First Edition MT RM1,131,800
- Transmission: Lotus Emira First Edition AT conventional automatic; Lotus Emira First Edition MT manual
- Torque: Lotus Emira First Edition AT 430 Nm; Lotus Emira First Edition MT 420 Nm
- Power: Lotus Emira First Edition AT 400 hp; Lotus Emira First Edition MT 400 hp
- 0-100 km/h: Lotus Emira First Edition AT 4.3 s; Lotus Emira First Edition MT 4.3 s
- Boot space: Lotus Emira First Edition AT 151 L; Lotus Emira First Edition MT 151 L
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 1,131,800 | RM 1,131,800 |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | Sports Car | Sports Car |
| Seats | 2 | 2 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 3,456 cc | 3,456 cc |
| Power | 400 hp | 400 hp |
| Torque | 430 Nm✓ | 420 Nm |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 4.3 s | 4.3 s |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,412 mm | 4,412 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 1,895 mm |
| Height | 1,225 mm | 1,225 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,575 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Boot space | 151 L | 151 L |
| Safety | ||
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 4,182 | RM 4,182 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
First Edition AT
- Conventional automatic gearbox suits daily driving better
- 430 Nm is 10 Nm more than the manual
- Same 400 hp and 4.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Lacks the manual’s driver involvement
- Same RM1,131,800 price as the manual
- Still only 151 L of boot space
First Edition MT
- Manual gearbox gives the more involving Emira experience
- Same 400 hp and 4.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Rawness with enough usability for a modern Lotus
- 420 Nm is 10 Nm down on the automatic
- Manual gearbox needs more effort in traffic
- Same 151 L boot and two-seat layout
First Edition AT vs First Edition MT FAQ
Is the Lotus Emira First Edition AT or Lotus Emira First Edition MT better?
For most Malaysian use, the AT is easier to live with and has 430 Nm. For the keener driver, the MT is the one to buy because the manual gearbox suits the Emira’s last-ICE Lotus character.
What is the price difference?
There is no price difference. Both the Lotus Emira First Edition AT and Lotus Emira First Edition MT are priced at RM1,131,800, so the choice is gearbox and character, not cost.
Do both Lotus Emira First Edition variants have the same performance?
Yes. Both make 400 hp and do 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. The AT has slightly more torque at 430 Nm, while the MT has 420 Nm.