The 2023 Lotus Emira is the better choice if steering feel, damping and a more characterful V6 matter most to you. That verdict is preference-led, not universal, and it applies to a specific pairing: the Emira V6 First Edition against the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0. Porsche’s 2023 Cayman range also includes a Style Edition with a different, smaller engine, and that car is not part of this comparison. Autocar’s road comparison gives the Emira the advantage on driver appeal, while also saying the Cayman counters with crisper, more linear chassis and engine responses.
Which Porsche Cayman this comparison means
The Cayman name covers several cars with very different engines, so the trim has to be fixed before the comparison means anything. The table below sets the Emira V6 beside the GTS 4.0 in its manual and PDK forms, and the 2023 Style Edition for context. Where a source does not state a value, the cell says so.
| Car | Engine | Power | Torque | Acceleration | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lotus Emira V6 (as compared by Autocar, 2022) | Supercharged 3.5-litre V6 | 400 bhp (Autocar, 2022) | Not stated in the cited comparison | 0–62 mph in 4.3 seconds (Autocar, 2022, from its comparison video) | Six-speed manual |
| Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0, manual | Naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six | 394 hp (Porsche Newsroom USA, 2020) | 309 lb-ft (Porsche Newsroom USA, 2020) | 0–60 mph in 4.3 seconds and 182 mph top track speed (Porsche Newsroom USA, 2020); 0–62 mph in 4.5 seconds (Autocar, 2022) | Standard six-speed manual |
| Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0, PDK | Naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six | 394 hp (Porsche Newsroom USA, 2020) | 309 lb-ft (Porsche Newsroom USA, 2020) | 0–60 mph in 3.8 seconds (Porsche Newsroom USA, 2020) | Optional PDK |
| Porsche 718 Cayman Style Edition (2023) | Turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder | 300 hp (Porsche Newsroom USA, 2022) | 280 lb-ft (Porsche Newsroom USA, 2022) | Not stated in the sources reviewed | Not stated in the sources reviewed |
The GTS 4.0 is the car the Emira is usually weighed against on driving character, because both are rear-engined, two-seat sports cars with a naturally aspirated or boosted engine and a manual option. The Style Edition sits well below both in output and engine layout, so a comparison with it would be a different argument.
Where the Emira has the edge
Autocar’s comparison makes the strongest case for the Emira on how the car feels to drive. The publication’s own summary of the road test puts it this way:
#1 Best Overall
“There is a list of things that the Emira does better than the Cayman on the road, and, where driver appeal is concerned, they’re rather important things.” (Autocar, road comparison, 2022)
Steering and damping
Autocar identifies steering and damping as the Emira’s main strengths. For a driver who values how the car communicates through the wheel and how it settles over imperfect surfaces, this is the core of the argument. It is also the part of the verdict that depends most on personal preference, because it cannot be reduced to a single number.
Rank #2
- Collectible Die-Cast Model: This 1:64 scale die-cast model is a replica of the Lotus Evora, a British sports car manufactured by Lotus Cars.
- Iconic Design: The model captures the sleek and aerodynamic design of the Evora, with its distinctive front grille and sculpted body lines.
- Detailed Exterior: The die-cast model features intricate details such as the Lotus emblem, headlights, taillights, and wheel designs.
- Authentic Coloring: This particular model is finished in a vibrant blue color, accurately replicating the European Streets 2008 edition.
- Collectible Series: Part of the Matchbox European Streets collection, this model is a must-have for die-cast enthusiasts and Lotus fans alike.
The V6 and the sense of occasion
The Emira V6 pairs a supercharged 3.5-litre V6 with a six-speed manual, and Autocar links that configuration to the car’s sense of occasion. That is a subjective judgement, but it is a fair reason to pick the Emira for the experience of driving it rather than for outright figures. Lotus itself describes the Emira as “the most accomplished Lotus road car ever to roll through the Hethel factory gates.” That is a manufacturer claim, not an independent evaluation, and it should be read as such.
Where the Cayman pushes back
The same Autocar comparison does not give the Emira a clean sweep. It states the counterpoint directly:
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![Hot Wheels Lotus Emira, Factory Fresh 3/5 [Gray] 121/250](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41OqSnePudL._SL160_.jpg)
- die cast metal & plastic parts
“But if the Lotus’s steering and damping are its main draws, the Porsche counters with even crisper and more linear chassis and engine responses.” (Autocar, road comparison, 2022)
If sharp, linear responses matter more to you than steering feel and damping, the GTS 4.0 is the better fit. The sources do not link that behaviour to the naturally aspirated flat-six, so treat the engine layout as a plausible background rather than a proven cause.
Rank #4
- 2023 Lotus Emira Heritage Edition - 5456D Model Vehicle
- 1/34 Scale Collectible Model Sports Car
- This is a 5"Lx 2.25"Wx 1.25"H Diecast Metal model with some plastic parts
- Pullback Action And Openable Doors
Reading the acceleration figures
The two cars are close on paper, and the figures come from different tests, so the difference is not decisive. Autocar’s comparison is the only pairing in the sources that measures both cars in the same publication and video, which is why it is the best like-for-like reference. The Porsche 0–60 mph figures come from a separate Porsche release and use a different benchmark, so they cannot be placed alongside the Autocar 0–62 mph times as if they were the same test. The Lotus’s Autocar 0–62 mph time is a measured figure for that comparison, not a claim of superiority.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Lotus’s current spec page describes a different Emira
Lotus’s current press model page lists the Emira Turbo and Turbo SE. The Turbo is listed as a 1,991 cc turbocharged four-cylinder with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, 360 bhp, a 171 mph top speed and 0–62 mph in 4.4 seconds. Those figures belong to the current Turbo range, not the 2023 V6 described above, and the Turbo SE figures differ again. Do not mix them into the comparison.
Best Value
- Detailed model kit in scale 1:24, length: 168 mm, width: 73 mm
- The high-quality kit from Tamiya must be assembled by yourself.
- Tools, glue and paints are not included with the plastic kit. These must be purchased optionally.
- International products have separate terms, are sold from abroad and may differ from local products, including fit, age ratings, and language of product, labeling or instructions.
What this comparison does not settle
The sources reviewed do not establish the following, so you should check them for your market and exact model year before deciding:
- Price, standard equipment and availability in your country
- Reliability, depreciation, warranty terms and dealer or service network coverage
- Running and maintenance costs
The figures above are manufacturer and publisher figures from 2020 to 2022. They were not produced by a single controlled test under identical conditions, and they describe model years and trims that may have changed since. Confirm the current specification for any car you are considering.
How to test the verdict yourself
- Drive both cars on a twisty road with mixed surfaces, and judge how the steering communicates the front tyres and how the damping handles a broken patch.
- Repeat the same route in each car and note whether the throttle response feels crisp and linear, as Autocar describes for the Porsche, or more theatrical and boosted, as it describes for the Emira.
- Confirm the exact transmission you are being offered. A GTS 4.0 can be fitted with PDK, which changes its acceleration figure.
- Ask for the specification sheet for the specific model year and trim, and check it against the figures in this article.
- Obtain local pricing and equipment for both cars before comparing values.
If steering and damping feel are the priorities you can confirm on the road, the Emira is the stronger choice. If you find the Porsche’s throttle and chassis responses more satisfying, the GTS 4.0 is the better car for you.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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