by Gabrielle DeSantis

In just a few day’s time, Lotus will finally be unveiling their newest model — and don’t worry, it still carries the “E” name tradition. The Lotus Emira will be just one of the several new models to be presented by the British manufacturer, and among the excitement, it has stirred up, there has also been a lot of speculation and controversy. While you can find many Lotus cars on the used car market, it isn’t as common to find them brand new, but either way, they are surprisingly affordable for the driving experience they offer. Regardless, Lotus has been far from a popular car brand in North America, but will the new generation of cars do anything to fix that?

Lotus focuses on a niche market of drivers

If you’ve ever sat behind the wheel of a Lotus, you know how truly driver-focused these vehicles are, but they do offer a more raw driving experience than many sports cars. While the more modern versions of cars like the Lotus Evora offer more comfort features and sacrifice the weight-reduction tactics used in the Elise and Exige, they are far from the most comfortable cars to get in and out of. Regardless, the unparalleled driving experience has made the car an invaluable part of many car enthusiast collections — including several that I personally own and have enjoyed driving for ludicrously long distances.

Does Lotus actually care about the North American market?

Lotus is a British manufacturing company that focuses most of its sales in the UK, but their cars are available around the world. With that being said, Lotus has drawn harsh lines in the past of what they are and are not willing to do to remain in the North American market. That became evident with changing safety standards that the Lotus Elise battled, inevitably leading to Lotus’s decision to discontinue importation and sale of the Elise to the US market. In the past few years, the only new Lotus car that you could buy in the US market, according to Motor Authority, has been the Lotus Evora.

The Lotus Emira will be the last of it’s kind for Lotus

The Lotus Emira marks the end of an era for Lotus as it will be the last entirely internal-combustion engine powered sports car that they are set to produce. Rumors have surfaced of the next two cars being hybrid or fully electric, but with the attention on the Emira, we haven’t seen much confirmed. Only time will tell how the Emira will appeal to the American market and if it will be enough excitement to land Lotus in the spotlight long-term among sports car enthusiasts and exotic car collectors.

The new Lotus Emira is certainly an exciting addition to a lineup of driver-focused sports cars, and with the new updates promised by Lotus is has all of the potential to become a well-loved addition to the American exotic car market. The Emira, along with the promise of new electric or hybrid roadsters, is sure to stir up interest, but only sales figures and time will show if these new additions will make a long-term impression on the American market.

RELATED: Lotus Takes on an Extreme Off-Road Racing Partnership

The post Will the Lotus Emira be Enough to Put Lotus Back on the Map? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Do you often find yourself fantasizing about the open road ahead? Dreaming of days where you can slip behind the wheel, shift your car into gear, and push that accelerator pedal to the floor? If you do dream of hitting the road behind the wheel of a fast car, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, not all sports cars are affordable. In fact, some are downright expensive. The good news is that iSeeCars recently set out to identify the fastest cars under $30K. Let’s talk about their top picks for the fastest, most affordable sports cars.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is an affordable sports car

If you’re in the market for an affordable sports car, you really can’t go wrong with the Mazda Miata, iSeeCars reports. Buy a new Mazda Miata, and this affordable sports car will have you spending approximately $26,830. Upgrade to the Club or Grand Touring model, however, and you will be spending more than $30K on this year’s new Mazda Miata.

And if you find yourself asking how fast the Mazda Miata is? At the heart and soul of it is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Churning out 181-hp, this year’s Miata can move from zero to 60 in just 5.7 seconds, making it no surprise iSeeCars included it among its picks for the fastest cars under $30K. According to iSeeCars, this year’s Miata also boasts a maximum speed of 135 mph. If you’re longing for plenty of thrills every time that you get behind the wheel, that figure is nothing to scoff at. 

The Hyundai Veloster N is one of the fastest affordable cars

The Mazda Miata isn’t the right fit for every driver. Fortunately, iSeeCars also included the Hyundai Veloster N among its top picks for the fastest cars under $30K. The Hyundai Veloster N churns out an impressive 275-hp via its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and can move from 0 to 60 mpg in just 5.5 seconds. It also boasts a top speed of 155 mph. This affordable fast car is also standard with a manual transmission. 

Much like the Mazda Miata, the Hyundai Veloster N is an affordable fast car too. Opt for a base model, and you’ll find yourself spending approximately $32,350. While that is slightly above $30K, it’s not prohibitively expensive for many new car shoppers. If a $32,3250 starting price is too costly for you, consider opting for a used Hyundai Veloster N instead. 

The Chevrolet Camaro is one of the fastest affordable cars

The Chevrolet Camaro is one of the fastest affordable cars too. It comes driven by a 275-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and goes from zero to 60 in a mere 5.4 seconds. According to iSeeCars, it also reaches a max speed of 155 mph.

And if that’s not enough power for you? The Chevrolet Camaro is also available with a 335-hp 3.6 liter V6 that moves from zero to 60 in five seconds, a 355-hp 6.2-liter V8 that can reach 60 mph in four seconds, and a 650-hp 6.2-liter V8 that will have you moving from zero to 60 in just 3.5 seconds.

As for how much the Chevrolet Camaro costs? Opt for a base 2021 Chevrolet Camaro, and this year’s model will cost you $25,000. Upgrade to a more well-outfitted trim level, and you should expect to spend significantly more on this year’s Camaro. In fact, at its most expensive, the Camaro will have you spending at least $63,000. For those in the market for the fastest cars under $30K, that price tag is definitely on the most expensive side of things.

The Dodge Challenger is a cheap muscle car under $30K

The Dodge Challenger secured a spot on iSeeCars’ list of the fastest cars under $30K too. Though, it’s no surprise as to why. The Dodge Challenger is a cheap sports car that provides plenty of thrills. In fact, it comes equipped with a 303-hp 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine that boasts 303-hp to its name and can reach a maximum speed of 156 mph. It’s also available with a 375-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V8, a 485-hp 6.4-liter Hemi V8, and a 717-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8.

The Dodge Challenger is an affordable muscle car too. This year’s model starts at $28,870. Opt for a Challenger GT model, and you’ll find yourself spending slightly more than $30,000. At its most expensive, the Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock will have you spending $82,270. 

The Ford Mustang is the fastest car under $30K

When it came to choosing the fastest car for under $30K, iSeeCars chose none other than the Ford Mustang. This affordable sports car starts at $27,205. The Ford Mustang is available in several additional trim levels. However, most will have you spending over $30K. 

The good news is that the Ford Mustang makes nary a compromise when it comes to what’s under the hood. In fact, standard is a 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 310-hp. With this engine under the hood, the Mustang will have you moving from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. For even more power under the hood, consider a Ford Mustang equipped with a 5.0-liter V8 engine, which reaches 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. It also reaches a maximum speed of 180 mph.

What is the fastest car for under $30K?

There’s no beating around the bush here. The Ford Mustang is the fastest car for under $30K. But if it isn’t quite your style? The good news is that iSeeCars included several other affordable sports cars among its list of the fastest cars under $30K.

RELATED: The Fastest New SUVs Under $50,000 According to U.S. News

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