Jim Clark Gets the Last Word in Lotus’ Greatest V6 Yet
By Team Dailyrevs May 3, 2025
Lotus honors Jim Clark with a 60-unit Emira Clark Edition in British Racing Green.
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Powered by a 400 hp supercharged V6 and a manual gearbox—no flappy paddles here.
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Design details echo the legendary Type 25 and 38 without turning into cosplay.
When Lotus decides to honor a motorsport legend, they don’t do it with half-measures. The newly announced 2026 Lotus Emira Jim Clark Edition is a carefully measured nod to the past without losing grip on the present. It's tasteful, quick, and just flamboyant enough to get you nods at the next Caffeine & Octane.
At a glance, it’s a Lotus Emira—the company’s last hurrah before its sports cars go fully electric. But this one’s been dipped in nostalgia and tuned for the purist. British Racing Green? Of course. Yellow stripes? Naturally. But unlike many tribute models that rely on stickers and storytelling, this Emira has mechanical teeth to match the legacy it’s evoking.
A Legacy in the Paintwork
Jim Clark needs no introduction to anyone who’s ever cared about a steering wheel. Two-time Formula One World Champion. Winner of the 1965 Indy 500. Arguably the most naturally gifted driver Lotus ever had. And now, nearly 60 years after those glory days, Lotus is tipping its cap with a limited run of just 60 cars—one for each year since his iconic '65 double.
The paint scheme mirrors the Lotus Type 25, the car Clark piloted to his first championship. Deep green bodywork. Twin yellow stripes. And a seriousness that feels inherited rather than forced.
Under the Skin
This isn’t a museum piece. It’s a driver’s car. Under the hood lies a supercharged 3.5-liter Toyota-sourced V6, pushing out 400 horsepower to the rear wheels. And yes, there’s a six-speed manual transmission—the kind with an actual clutch pedal and a properly weighted shifter. It’s mechanical. It’s visceral. It’s everything Jim Clark would have approved of.
Core Specs Table
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5L Supercharged V6 |
| Power Output | 400 hp |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual (no auto here) |
| 0–60 mph | ~4.3 seconds (est.) |
| Units Produced | 60 |
| Paint Scheme | British Racing Green w/ Yellow Stripes |
| Price (UK) | £115,000 |
Inside: Subtle Drama
Inside, the tribute continues but with just enough restraint. Black Alcantara dominates the cabin, offset with bold red contrast stitching, a Jim Clark tartan inlay, and a wooden gear knob that’s less ironic and more reverent. There's a numbered plaque, too—because you can’t build a collector car without one.
Even the treadplates have been reworked, now finished in carbon fiber and etched with the edition’s name. Lotus didn’t just slap on a few badges; they curated the space to feel like a bridge between 1965 and now.
Not Just for Collectors
While you could tuck this car away and hope its value climbs like a Porsche 997 RS, you’d be missing the point. This isn’t some static showpiece. The Emira, even in base form, is a deeply engaging driver’s car. With the Clark Edition, that spirit is dialed in with a layer of heritage that adds meaning without taking itself too seriously.
And unlike modern tributes that get trapped in gimmicks, this one seems to understand balance. It’s not just about being seen—it’s about feeling something behind the wheel.
A Final Bow Before the Switch
The Emira is the last internal combustion sports car Lotus will ever make. That makes the Clark Edition not just a tribute to a driver, but a swan song to a way of driving. As Hethel shifts toward an electric future, this V6-powered sendoff serves as a reminder of where the brand came from—and what made it matter.
With just 60 units to be built, the Emira Jim Clark Edition isn’t for everyone. But for those who get it, it might be the most satisfying way to honor a man who redefined fast.
Final Thought:
If Jim Clark were around today, he’d probably skip the launch event, take one of these to a track day, and politely embarrass everyone else there. That’s the spirit this car channels—not just reverence, but purpose.