THE performance of the new 2.0-litre four-cylinder Lotus Emira will match that of the V6 version with a 0 to 62mph acceleration time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 180mph.

Powered by a Merecedes-Benz twin scroll turbocharged engine delivering 360bhp the new Emira i4 is the most powerful four-cylinder Lotus so far.

It will be priced from £81,495 for a vehicle in First Edition specification - some £6,000 more than the manual V6 model.

At 180bhp per litre, it also has the highest specific power output in the Emira range and the car is fitted with an eight-speed dual clutch gearbox which gives drivers the choice of manual or automatic changes.

Like the 400bhp supercharged Emira V6, the new 2.0-litre car is built in the Chapman Production Centre (CPC) at Hethel, named in honour of the company's founder and inspiration.

Mike Johnstone, group vice-president and chief commercial officer of Lotus, said: "The Emira V6 has already proved incredibly successful, with many thousands of orders received from around the world.

"Now, with the four-cylinder Emira joining the range, we're adding a new dimension to the car's breadth of capability and appeal, offering new levels of efficiency and accessibility while continuing to offer all the performance and agility that our customers expect."

With rear-wheel-drive and the Mercedes-AMG's eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) - a first use of the technology by Lotus and fitted exclusively to the Emira - it offers quicker gearchanges than the six-speed manual and automatic transmissions offered on the Emira V6.

Inside, the car is fitted with a a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster, while in the centre of the cockpit is a 10.25-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, which features integrated navigation. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity is standard.

Behind the two seats is 208-litres of storage, with the rear luggage compartment offering a further 151 litres.