Overview & Reviews

Founded in Britain, Lotus is very much a specialty outfit, with output limited to high-performance racecars and sports cars known for their sleek and lightweight designs. Though its cars are prized by enthusiasts seeking maximum handling performance, Lotus has never been particularly keen on sales volume, and it rarely has more than one or two models for sale at a time.

The marque was founded by racing enthusiast Anthony Colin Chapman. The first Lotus was built in 1948, and used by Chapman to compete in races. By 1955, Chapman had officially formed Lotus Cars Ltd. A company milestone was reached two years later with the unveiling of the innovative Lotus Elite. This remarkably light coupe owed its featherweight status to its fiberglass unibody construction. Though the use of fiberglass for a car's body wasn't unique, the Elite was the first vehicle to use this material both in its skeleton and its skin. The resultant weight savings helped the Elite to distinguish itself at Le Mans and other notable races around the world.

The 1960s saw Lotus expanding its line with the addition of the Elan. First available as a roadster, the car offered a twin-cam engine, four-wheel disc brakes and a four-wheel independent suspension. Hardtop versions were later offered. By 1967, Lotus had added the Elan Plus 2 to its lineup. Dubbed Lotus' first family car, the Plus 2 was just as sporty as the Elan, but more practical thanks to a bigger cabin and the addition of two jump seats.

Lotus discontinued the Elite in 1972, but the name was revived in 1974. The new Elite was a four-passenger model with a 160-horsepower engine. Two years later, the Lotus family grew yet again, with the addition of the Esprit. The two-seat sports car continued Lotus' ethos of lightweight design, and it was instantly recognizable due to its distinctive wedge-shaped exterior and appearance in two James Bond movies.

Movie stardom aside, this was not a good decade for Lotus. The brand's vehicles had evolved significantly since the first Elite cruised off showroom floors. But Lotus cars of the 1970s were bigger and more expensive than their predecessors, and the brand had muscled its way into a segment populated by the likes of Ferrari and Porsche. Lotus cars were now premium-priced exotics; unfortunately for the brand, this segment saw a dramatic fall-off in demand in the wake of that era's fuel crisis. As a result, the niche-market automaker suffered significant losses.

In 1986, General Motors took full control of Lotus and created Lotus Cars USA in 1987. That relationship lasted until 1993, when GM sold Lotus to Bugatti. Bugatti's ownership was even shorter; Lotus was sold to a Malaysian firm in 1996. The same year, Lotus began producing the flyweight Elise, a car that would quickly become the company's main product and financial savior. The Elise was finally imported to North America in 2004 after safety and emissions considerations were overcome.

Today, Lotus remains true to Chapman's original desire of producing lightweight and race-oriented sports cars. With tight cabin accommodations, a stiff ride and minimal comfort and storage features, modern Lotus cars make poor grocery-getters. But for the enthusiast looking for world-class handling, sporty style and an unfiltered connection between car and driver at a reasonable price, the Lotus brand is hard to beat.

User Reviews:

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  Purple lotus - 2001 Lotus Esprit
  By icccceeeee - August 6 - 1:26 am

  This is my 2nd Esprit, I LOVE these cars, a blast to drive and own ... but you have to WANT to drive them. They are not for the meek or shy. Maintenance is a must but is not close to other exotic cars.

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  EXIGE S - PURE RACER - 2007 Lotus Exige
  By "Mr Lotus" - May 24 - 9:56 am

  My 2d season with the 07 (1st year) Exige S. This is a pure race car on or off the track and is built around acceleration, handling and braking - it is arguably the best handling car on the road. This is why a strong driver who knows the cars capabilities can win over other high end cars both American and European. It must be understood that to arrive at the final equation of this cars performance there entailed certain cons built-in. But you must maximize the cars capabilities to overcome its modest top-end when competing with other racers. And get a Valentine 1 or be prepared to get multiple tickets or -- be prepared to ditch the 5.0 as the ol chap found out last night - not rec.

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  The most amazing car Ive ever owned - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Paul - October 11 - 3:20 pm

  This car is absolutely amazing. It handles like no other street legal car you can buy. I looked at Porsche, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari and others. Handling-wise it blew them all away hands down. In a straight line there are faster cars but nothing handles and connects you to the road like the Elise. Its a true drivers car. This was not intended or designed to be an everyday grocery hauler. If thats what youre looking for, buy something else. But if you want the real "Ultimate Driving Machine" then the Elise is it.

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  Great Track Car, If You Can Fit - 2009 Lotus Exige
  By DM - September 29 - 11:20 pm

  This car excels on the track - fast, great grip, tight steering. This car would be difficult on public roads given the small size, hard suspension, and low center of gravity. The small engine works very well in a car this light. However, it can be very loud and a radio is not going to help. I am 56" and find it very difficult getting out of the car. For serious racers, this is a great all-around package. No creature comforts.

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  If You Want to be Different - 2008 Lotus Elise
  By csrvices - June 14 - 6:03 pm

  If you do not fit in the same common human mold like most folks do, then you may want a different kind of car... consider a Lotus Elise if you want to be truly in touch with the road while plying the power and handling of your vehicle to it. The Lotus Elise built like no other vehicle I know of for the consumer market. Lotus has taken years of specialized racing builds turning their experience into a well built, well tuned, well heeled and well, a good-looking automobile that can turn heads and flat dust the next Guy. It is a race car built for the street, Lotus has produced a competent vehicle, a workhorse that wants to run hard as a different kind of daily driver.

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  Musclecar in Exotic Clothing - 2004 Lotus Esprit
  By jbrookstone - April 20 - 8:36 pm

  Only 33 2003.5-2004 Final Edition Lotus Esprits were made and shipped to the United States. Equipped with a turbocharged 32-valve flat-plane crankshaft V8, they start, idle and sound very much like a 60s era musclecar with a hot cam. Exhaust note is very good from a low grumble at idle to a roar under acceleration. There is almost no turbo lag, tons of torque above 2000 rpm allowing the Esprit to easily burn rubber in its first 3 gears. Steering is very, very fast and precise - plus the turning radius is exceptionally tight. Cockpit space is adequate for those under 6 feet and trunk space is surprisingly generous. Handling is outstanding, as in all Lotuses. Front spoiler seeks bumps.

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  A big go kart for the street - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By rob - November 15 - 10:23 pm

  This car is all about the handling. It has the most direct steering response car Ive ever driven. The interior is spartan, but has everything I want, good track seats, radio, AC/heat, and a fun 6-speed transmission. It accelerates very well, but at freeway speeds cars with 350+ hp will finally get their edge. The handling, acceleration and braking are all helped thanks to the cars lightweight design, 1984 lbs.

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  Nothing else compares in the price range - 2007 Lotus Elise
  By fishman76092 - July 15 - 4:31 pm

  Ive had mine for about two years. No issues thus far. Hear some build quality complaints on forums- its hit and miss. Its a hand built car that costs $25-40k. The good: Closest thing to a race car for the price, Toyota engine/transmission, so much fun to drive above 5500 rpms. The bad: Getting in and out with top on, people looking at you- wanting to take photos, etc, not many creature comforts. Long story short: If you want a smooth ride, a great stereo, isolation from the road, and a long trip cruiser...buy something else. If you want to enjoy every mile, drive a roller coaster, rip through the gears, wind it up to 9k, turn the stereo off and listen to the engine, buy an Elise.

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  Perfect Sports Car - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By jkbrill - April 6 - 11:46 pm

  This car is so fun to drive. This vehicle makes everything else I have driven seem like a RV. The car handles, brakes, and looks like a sports car should. The ride is surprisingly good; however the Elise is not a daily driver. However, it is an amazingly fun toy, that is well constructed for a handmade vehicle. It is also pretty zippy, and loves high rpms.

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  Esprit V8 - Last of the Breed - 2002 Lotus Esprit
  By Paul Hatz - December 31 - 10:00 am

  It has more punch than than comparable Ferraris 355 and 360, thanks to the turbo, and it has a trunk, which they dont because of their large normally aspirated intake systems (the twin turbo design allows for a remarkably small and light engine design in the Lotus V8). Forget about all the garbage about it not sounding good, junk the exhaust and install straightpipes and this thing sings! You will get more compliments and looks with a nice Lotus V8 than any entry level Ferrari.