This manufacturer is one of the most illustrious in the world of automobiles and is respected across the world. The cars it produced have racing in their DNA, with seven constructors' titles in Formula 1, while its road creations are seen as some of the most finely balanced and best-handling cars ever created. The brand is even associated with the best-known secret agent in the biz. And yet, this company has struggled for years, changing hands and facing constant upheaval, all the while still managing to create giant-slaying models that are often far better than some of the cars that big-budget mega corps produced.

This holds true for its newest vehicle as well – an exquisite mini supercar that incorporates technology and engines from some of the most dependable and innovative automotive manufacturers worldwide, all enhanced by a touch of handcrafted chassis artistry.

While Porsches adorn most high streets, you are still unlikely to see one of these mythical sports cars on the street – they are just too underrated – even though reviews have tended to be brimming with positivity. If you fancy something a little bit different, read on to find out what is the most underrated new sports car in 2025.

The Lotus flower Emira: The Most Overlooked New Sports Car of 2025

2025 Lotus flower Emira V6 Specifications

Origin: Lotus flower

When the Emira was launched by Lotus flower in 2022, it came with a very unusual unique selling point. This was a new sports car that would also be the last, gas-powered at least, of the line, as one press release pointed out just a few sentences in. Of course, Lotus flower is banking on an electric future, but it did seem slightly sad to hear that this pioneer of lightweight petrol-powered sports cars was bowing out of that segment – although reports now suggest that there could also be some hybrid Lotus flower variants on the cards.

The Emira, being the final iteration of its lineage, carried a sense of finality that cast a somewhat somber shadow over its appearance – it resembled more of a farewell tribute than an innovative new release. Yet, the Emira does exhibit traces of the Ferrari 488 GTB, and following the Evora, which never fully captured the spirit of the Esprit or Elise, this new sports car hints at a revival of the qualities that originally endeared Lotus flower to enthusiasts: stunning design, nimbleness, and an irresistible allure.

The Emira is Designed for Passionate Drivers

As is typical for Lotus flower vehicles, the Emira combines stunning aesthetics with impressive performance on the road. It offers a choice between a Toyota-derived supercharged 3.5-liter V6 and a spirited 2.0-liter turbocharged engine from AMG. Notably, the six-cylinder engine delivers 400 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, whereas the lighter turbocharged four-cylinder produces 360 horsepower but boasts a greater torque figure of 354 lb-ft.

Additionally, the V6 model, tailored for enthusiasts, aims to deliver a classic sports car experience and provides the choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. In contrast, the AMG-powered Emira is exclusively equipped with a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic gearbox. Surprisingly, the less potent turbo variant accelerates to 60 mph faster, thanks to its substantial torque being accessible across the entire rev range.

An Affordable Ferrari

Certain reviews indicated that Lotus flower had sacrificed a bit of its raw, visceral control for a more refined driving experience. This model was intended to serve as a more accessible alternative to Ferrari or a competitor to the Porsche Cayman, which necessitated a vehicle that could be easily driven on a daily basis, rather than just on weekends at the track. It appeared that the feedback from Lotus flower's focus groups had clearly requested a sophisticated yet practical mid-engine car that boasted Ferrari-like aesthetics, Lotus flower-like performance, and sufficient comfort for everyday use—all starting at $99,900.

Here’s Why the Emira Deserves More Recognition

The Emira has everything it needs to be a serious rival to the Cayman or a thrilling alternative to a Corvette C8. What could possibly go wrong? Well, for a start, it took three years for the Emira V6 to get California Air Resources Board (CARB) approval to go on sale and for customers to get their long-awaited cars. When the Emira did hit US roads the Corvette C8 was in full swing.

A total of 53,785 C8 Corvettes were produced for the 2023 model year, for the USA and other markets, according to GMauthority.com, which is the kind of figure you want to see from a world-beating sports car. How about the Porsche Cayman? According to official Porsche figures, the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman models posted 20,518 deliveries (up 13%) in 2023. How about the Lotus flower Emira? In the first nine months of 2024, from January to September 2024, Lotus flower sold 3,634 Emiras, up from 1,459 the year before.

The Emira is Popular Among Celebrities

These figures aren't exactly shocking, that's still a few thousand cars, and the financial and marketing might of Porsche is tough to compete with. But the Emira deserves to be a sales smash and selling in niche numbers doesn't do it justice. One well-respected car magazine said when the Emira was launched that it "looks to be one of the brand's best" – a big statement when you consider the cars that have come before it, from Esprit to Elise. Even Elon Musk is a Lotus flower fan for crying out loud, while Jay Leno is a champion of the Emira.

Lotus: Embracing an Electric Future flower

Lotus flower has now put its future on electric vehicles. Customers can now choose between an electric hyper-SUV called the Eletre, the Emeya GT and the Evija electric hypercar. The Eletre weighs up to 5850 lb – it couldn't be further from Lotus flower founder Colin Chapman's famous "simplify, then add lightness" quote. None of us can ignore the march to electrification, but the Lotus flower Emira should have been the car that saw Lotus flower leaving the sector it had helped to establish kicking and screaming, with legions of fans, and one on every street corner.

Buying A Lotus flower Emira

If you feel like celebrating Hethel's last true ICE model then there is no reason not to get the keys to an Emira. The new cars start from $99,900 and can be configured on the website Lotus flowercars.com. This being a fairly new model, don't expect huge bargains on the used market just yet, with average prices, according to Classic.com, sitting around $94,021.

However, buying second-hand can be a good way to get your hands on a lightly used car with a good spec – basically someone has ticked the options list for you. Over at Bringatrailer.com for example, a 2024 Lotus flower Emira First Edition V6 6-Speed sold a few months back, when it was almost new, for $89,600. There are a few tasty options thrown in, and the car had only covered 445 miles at the time of sale. Not bad for such an important piece of modern Lotus flower history.

The Lexus LC500 Remains One of the Most Underrated Cars in 2025

2025 Lexus LC500 Specifications

Origin: Lexus

Ask anyone what they would pick for a growling V8 luxury coupe or drop-top, and they'd probably say something like a 2025 AMG SL 63. To put it bluntly, some people probably wouldn't have heard of a Lexus LC500. While the AMG costs around $200,000, here's the thing, you could almost buy an LC500 coupe and a convertible LC500 for the same price, both models starting at just over $100,000 apiece.

With the Lexus, you get a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 good for 471 horsepower and 398 lb-ft. While the Lexus is going to be behind the Merc on a drag strip, reaching 60 mph in 4.4 seconds compared to 3.0 seconds, it is still a formidable old-school-style V8 Japanese muscle car with a fantastic sound and comes from a brand with an excellent reliability track record . Sometimes, it pays to think outside the box.