Throttle House 2023 Car of the Year: Lotus Emira Wins Gold

Throttle House Reveals 2023’s Ultimate Driving Machines

In their annual Car of the Year awards, Throttle House hosts James and Thomas unveiled a revolutionary podium system—gold, silver, and bronze—replacing their previous single-winner format. After testing dozens of 2023 models, their decisions hinged on three non-negotiable criteria: driving engagement, technical ambition, and how deeply each car etched itself into their automotive psyche. The Lotus Emira emerged victorious not just for its brilliance, but for symbolizing accessible sports car purity in an electrifying era.

Why This Ranking Matters

Unlike corporate-driven awards, Throttle House’s selections stem from brutal real-world testing. As James emphasized: "We judge based on which cars make us uncontrollably rant with excitement after driving them." Their methodology combines track data, road-tripping endurance, and livability assessments—a trifecta mirroring how enthusiasts actually experience vehicles. After analyzing their testing notes, I believe this year’s podium perfectly captures a market at a crossroads: hybrid hypercars dazzle, yet analog thrills still reign supreme.

The 2023 Winners: Podium Analysis

Gold: Lotus Emira – The Last Analog Hero

The Emira’s victory is a triumph of feel over figures. Its Toyota-sourced 3.5L V6 (yes, from a Camry) produces just 400 hp—paltry against hybrid rivals—but its genius lies in calibration. The hydraulic steering served as the clincher: "More communicative than Porsche’s GT cars," noted Thomas, citing its ability to translate road texture into your fingertips.

Critical improvements over previous Lotuses:

Interior quality leapfrogs the dated Elise/Exige
Modern tech (digital dash, CarPlay) without distracting touchscreens
Surprisingly compliant ride for daily use

But buyer beware:

Delivery delays remain rampant (Throttle House’s own order is MIA after 3 years)
Early reliability gremlins (e.g., brake sensor failures) plague forums
Limited dealer support amplifies ownership risk

Silver: Porsche 911 GT3 RS – Engineering Overload

This track weapon dominates through aerodynamic sorcery. Its 1,896 lbs of downforce at 124 mph—more than a GT3 race car—reshapes physics. James recounted: "I braked 50 meters later at Mosport versus the standard GT3. The grip was skull-crushing."

Why it didn’t clinch gold:

$225,000 base price excludes 98% of enthusiasts
Road manners are punishing (tramlining, tire roar)
Analog engagement slightly trails the Emira’s

Bronze: Toyota Prius Prime – The Sensible Revolution

The biggest shock wasn’t its inclusion—it’s how badly the Throttle House team fought to keep the keys. "No one wanted to hand it back," laughed James. Its 220 hp plug-in hybrid system delivers 6.6-second 0-60 mph sprints while sipping fuel.

Game-changing upgrades:

Radical design ditches "eco-car" anonymity
Lowered stance and retuned suspension add agility
39 miles of electric range covers most daily drives

Compromises to note:

Cramped rear seats vs. Corolla Hybrid
No AWD option (for now)
Hashtag-laden marketing feels forced

Runners-Up & Honorable Mentions

Near-Misses That Impressed

Mustang Dark Horse: Brilliant V8 soundtrack and drag strip dominance, but vague steering cost it a podium.
Ferrari 296 GTB & McLaren Artura: Hybrid hypercars delivering 700+ hp thrills, yet plagued by infotainment glitches during testing.
Rolls-Royce Spectre: The ultimate EV luxury statement, though cold-weather range anxiety persists.

Surprise Standouts

Acura Integra Type S: A Civic Type R in tailored clothing—proving manuals aren’t dead.
BMW i7: Silent, sumptuous, and shockingly nimble for 5,919 lbs.
Aston Martin DB12: Fixes the DB11’s flaws, but $250k remains hard to justify.

The Flat Tire Awards: 2023’s Letdowns

VinFast VF8 – Rushed to Market

Soggy suspension tuning and erratic software made it feel "undercooked," per Thomas. Despite a handsome interior, it lacked the polish of established EVs like the Ioniq 5.

BMW XM – Identity Crisis

Priced like a Rolls-Royce but lacking the magic carpet ride. Its hybrid V8 delivered speed without soul, and cheap interior plastics betrayed its $160k starting tag.

Mercedes-AMG C63 S – Lost Its Way

Replacing the V8 with a 671 hp four-cylinder hybrid created a 4,940 lbs sedan. James lamented: "It’s technically impressive but emotionally hollow—no AMG thunder."

Join the Throttle House Clubhouse

Beyond the awards, Throttle House launched their Discord-based Clubhouse with two tiers:

Base Access ($5/month): Discord community, monthly newsletters, exclusive columns from James/Thomas.
Full Access ($50/year): All base benefits plus welcome kit (leather keychain, decal, signed poster), 20% merch discount, live Q&As, and monthly merch giveaways.

Your Turn: What’s Your 2023 Car of the Year?

Which Throttle House pick resonates most—and which snub stings? Share your winner below! For real-time debates, join their Clubhouse at throttlehouse.com.