Compare the2025 Ferrari 296VS 2024 Lotus Emira

Both the 296 and the Emira have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and rear parking sensors.

The 296 comes with a full 3-year/unlimited-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Emira’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires sooner.

The 296 comes with free roadside assistance for 3 years unlimited miles. Ferrari will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump-start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Lotus doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the Emira.

Ferrari pays for scheduled maintenance on the 296 for 7 years and unlimited miles. Ferrari will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Lotus doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Emira.

The 296’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 459 more horsepower (819 vs. 360) and 229 lbs.-ft. more torque (546 vs. 317) than the Emira’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 296’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 419 more horsepower (819 vs. 400) and 236 lbs.-ft. more torque (546 vs. 310) than the Emira’s standard 3.5 supercharged V6.

On the EPA test cycle the 296 GTB running on electricity gets better mileage than the Emira 3.5 supercharged V6 (45 city/49 hwy MPGe vs. 16 city/24 hwy).

The 296 GTB can travel with zero emissions for 8 miles. The Emira can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the 296’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Emira doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the 296’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Emira doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The 296 has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Emira (17.2 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Ferrari 296, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Emira.

For better stopping power the 296’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Emira:

The 296 has standard heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Emira doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The 296 stops much shorter than the Emira:

For better traction and acceleration, the 296 has larger rear tires than the Emira (305/35R20 vs. 295/30R20).

The 296 has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Emira’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The 296 has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Emira doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 296 is 1.6 inches wider in the front and .9 inches wider in the rear than on the Emira.

The 296’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (40.5% to 59.5%) than the Emira’s (37.9% to 62.1%). This gives the 296 more stable handling and braking.

The 296 GTB handles at 1.12 G’s, while the Emira pulls only 1.00 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The 296 Assetto Fiorano GTB executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the Emira (21.7 seconds @ 1.04 average G’s vs. 24 seconds @ .84 average G’s).

The 296’s standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The Emira doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

The 296 has 12 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Emira (61 vs. 49).

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the 296. The Emira doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The engine in the 296 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Emira. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The 296’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Emira does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The 296 has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and tachometer readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Emira doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The 296’s standard Keyless Entry and Ignition allow you to unlock the doors from either outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the car, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Start standard on the Emira only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

The 296’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Emira’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the 296 has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Emira doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Ferrari 296 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Lotus Emira isn’t available as a convertible.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its October 2024 issue and they ranked the Ferrari 296 Assetto Fiorano GTB higher than the Lotus Emira.