BMW 8 Series vs Lotus Emira
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Coupes 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.
Price Breakdown
The BMW 8 Series starts from $294,900 before on-road costs, while the Lotus Emira opens at $207,990. That makes the Lotus Emira the more affordable entry point by $86,910.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $324,390 and $228,789 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Lotus Emira by roughly $1,425 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems. 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 that you will not find on the Lotus Emira. The Lotus Emira counters with Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The BMW 8 Series uses a Petrol producing 390kW and 750Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.8 seconds.
The Lotus Emira responds with a Turbo petrol making 268kW and 430Nm, paired to a 8-speed dual clutch 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 268kW. In the real-world sprint, the BMW 8 Series is 0.3s 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 110L in the BMW 8 Series and 390L in the Lotus Emira, giving the Lotus Emira a 280L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.4m diameter
Average
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,765/year for the BMW 8 Series and $2,480/year for the Lotus Emira. That is a $285 annual difference in favour of the Lotus Emira.
Estimated annual total: $2,765 (BMW 8 Series) vs $2,480 (Lotus Emira). The Lotus Emira saves you roughly $285 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
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, value a longer warranty, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lotus Emira if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Lotus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The BMW 8 Series and Lotus Emira trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Lotus Emira will save you roughly $285 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Lotus Emira 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.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW 8 Series and Lotus Emira?
The Lotus Emira is the cheapest at $207,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW 8 Series by $86,910.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Lotus Emira uses the least fuel at 8.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BMW 8 Series all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Lotus Emira has the largest boot at 390L.
Which has the best warranty?
The BMW 8 Series has the longest warranty at 5 years / 1000k km.
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 3.8s.
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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