BMW 8 Series vs Lotus Emira
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 30 Aug 2026, price 1 Jul 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Lotus Emira: we're still completing price, turning circle, braked towing and CO2 emissions.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$294,900RRP
- with the Lotus Emira's standard kit: $294,900 (nothing to add)
No price
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
BMW 8 Series
None open on our record
Lotus Emira
- REC-005857 · published 19 Dec 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the driver and passenger side A-pillar trims may have been fitted incorrectly.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- REC-005856 · published 19 Dec 2023Due to a software issue, the windscreen wipers may operate at half the required speed.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- REC-005855 · published 19 Dec 2023Due to a defect during assembly, the driver and passenger's seatbelt locking mechanism may engage at the incorrect point.Year range on the notice: 2022
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The BMW 8 Series features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Lotus Emira gets a 10.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW 8 Series stands out with wireless charging, panoramic roof, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Bowers & Wilkins audio — features our data doesn't list for the Lotus Emira. The Lotus Emira counters with KEF audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW 8 Series gets vernasca leather upholstery while the Lotus Emira offers leather.
Drivetrain
The BMW 8 Series uses a Petrol producing 390kW and 750Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a 4WD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.9 seconds.
The Lotus Emira responds with a Supercharged petrol making 298kW and 430Nm, paired to a 6-speed manual driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 4.1 seconds.
The BMW 8 Series has the clear power advantage at 390kW vs 298kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW 8 Series is 0.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW 8 Series measures 5,082mm long on a 3,023mm wheelbase, 669mm longer than the Lotus Emira at 4,413mm (2,575mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW 8 Series generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 440L in the BMW 8 Series and 151L in the Lotus Emira, giving the BMW 8 Series a 289L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.6m diameter
Large
Based on 12.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Large
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 11.1 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $3,050/year for the BMW 8 Series and $2,907/year for the Lotus Emira. That is a $143 annual difference in favour of the Lotus Emira.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW 8 Series) vs 3 years / 100,000km (Lotus Emira). The BMW 8 Series has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW 8 Series if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lotus Emira if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Lotus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
BMW 8 Series: Top CarSorted Score, 56 vs 55
The BMW 8 Series comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (56 vs 55), taking 4 of 5 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: reliability (BMW 8 Series ahead by 15), value (Lotus Emira ahead by 14), performance (BMW 8 Series ahead by 8). The Lotus Emira will save you roughly $143 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the BMW 8 Series has a clear edge. The BMW 8 Series adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
One enquiry, local dealers' best price on each. Free for you to use. If you buy, the dealer may pay us a commission.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW 8 Series and Lotus Emira?
The BMW 8 Series is the cheapest at $294,900 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Lotus Emira uses the least fuel at 10.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of BMW 8 Series and Lotus Emira carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW 8 Series has the largest boot at 440L with the seats up.
Which has the best warranty?
The BMW 8 Series has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW 8 Series makes the most power at 390kW. The BMW 8 Series is quickest to 100km/h in 3.9s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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