Video: how does the new AMG-engined Lotus Emira drive?

Say hello to Lotus’ entry-level Emira. It uses the same turbocharged 2.0-litre ‘M139’ four-cylinder lunatic that powers AMG’s hottest hatch. Except, whereas it makes 415bhp in the A45 S, here it’s reined in to a sensible 360bhp.

Despite being entry-level, it is not a cheap and cheerful door to Lotus ownership. Right now Lotus will only sell you a kitted out ‘First Edition’ model, and it’s priced from a chunky £81,495. That’s £4,500 less than the adjusted pricing for the V6 ‘First Edition’.

It’s gone from dicing with the basic, brilliant Alpine A110 to asking well-seasoned Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0 money. You could buy a BMW M2 manual – or the car that the Emira owes its engine to – and save £10,000.

So, is this the Emira to have? Top Gear magazine’s Ollie Kew finds out.