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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  WOW! - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Jud - March 31 - 8:06 pm

  I purchased a 5,700 mile Magnetic Blue Elise on eBay, during a hurricane. Once I finally got the car, I never wanted to get out, and did but only to sleep (although I did sleep in the Elise on a long trip and found the high sills to be an excellent perch for my feet as I spread out across the cabin). I cannot explain the fun, the performance and the economy in running one of these fantastic machines. At some point every gearhead must own one. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! I may have to sell to buy a Ferrari but it is only to get more luggage space. Yes, a Ferrari can be the mature choice; but you have to start in an Elise.

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  Wow! - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Erich - February 27 - 3:33 am

  This is a car only for those who love to drive and KNOW how to drive well. This car will outperform most everything out there with the exception of some super cars. It is not for the driver who wants creature comforts... not a cup holder, climate control, heated seat to be found. This is essentially a street legal track car. The cool thing is that you can drive her to the track, put on your helmet and eat up a 911, Miata, Cobra, or what ever else gets in your way. Then have a nice drive home. I use mine as a daily commuter for a 110 mile round trip. It makes the drive fun and economical.

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  Pound for pound, $ for $, best deal - 2006 Lotus Elise
  By chapman - January 31 - 8:40 am

  I have owned a number of other so called sports cars over the years. I went through a Corvette stage, a Viper stage and a Porsche stage. Pound for pound and dollar for dollar no car can touch the Lotus Elise for pure fun, driveability and performance. Yes it doesnt have a 600 hsp engine and yes it doesnt have a 6 figure price tag but take the Elise out on twisty winding roads and watch the power cars eat your dust.

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  new lotus owner - 2006 Lotus Exige
  By jeff pearce - January 9 - 5:20 pm

  I researched this car for a while before I bought it. The car is fantastic to drive. The interior space is comfortable but yes it is somewhat spartan. However, it is a sport car and not a luxury car. The acceleration is crazy fast. The feel of the car while driving is like being part of the car itself. I have the upgraded stereo and the touring package so I can listen to great music and smell the wonderful scent of leather. Imagine a smooth ribbon of highway, the sun on your shoulder and your hands wrapped around a machine that is capable of unleashing a fury of raw energy and you are in command. This car is worth every penny and the few negatives, like high maintenances charges are worth it.

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  Cooler Than I Thought - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By April G. - January 5 - 12:40 pm

  I had no idea....this car is so much more fun than I thought. I have a very active lifestyle, and driving has always been something I just had to do - until now. Now I LOOK for reasons to. I love being first "in line" at the red light, so when its time to go, I can red line it through the first couple few gears before I bring it to an acceptable and legal speed. :-) I get so many looks w/ this car. When I come back to my car after parking somewhere, inevitably there is more than one person crouched over looking at "my girl". (Ive had people actually take pictures of her on several occasions, which one of you "Big Boys" can say that?) Good decision buying this girl, shes uniquely mine

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  Fits like a tailored glove - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Chris - November 24 - 4:13 am

  An awesome handling car. Sometimes it seems the car anticipates what I am going to do. The biggest problem I have noticed with this car is all the attention you get. Sounds like a cool thing but try changing lanes rapidly (you will understand if you drive one) to get set up for that nice curve you want to accelerate through and you cant because all the cars around you are slowing down to figure out what type of car you are driving. Not to mention wanting to run a quick errand and being stopped by everyone as you exit the car asking how fast, how much, can I ride (women love this car).... Just buy one, you wont regret it.

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  An Amazing Car - But Not For Everyone - 2006 Lotus Exige
  By XEEEJ - November 7 - 5:40 am

  The Exige is an amazing machine. Steering feel, braking & cornering are all phenomenal. The car is also beautiful to look at while being functional. I love mine, but prospective buyers need to know what theyre getting. The car is not for everyone and you have to be willing to deal with its total impracticalities. Its basically a 4 wheel motorcycle. The car is best used on twisty back roads or on track. Commuting or highway cruising is a waste, in my opinion. You have to accept the attention that the car draws. Its a surprisingly comfortable car once inside. Ingress and egress are tricky but get easier with a little practice. Nothing comes close to an Exige for the money.

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  1st Month with My New Lotus Elise - 2006 Lotus Elise
  By Brian - November 6 - 2:10 pm

  This is definitely a car for the person that likes to get noticed, and enjoys performance and handling. I bought a black Elise with a hard top and the neighbors thought I was driving the Batmobile. If you want a car that has a fun factor of 10+, its a no brainer; however, it is a bit of a challenge to get in and out of, and if youre a large person, or over 60, Id say, dont even try to get in and out of it. Braking and acceleration are great. Love the exhaust sound as your driving. Beware, its an attention getter! For people with large feet, it may pose a challenge to operate pedals, I have to wear certain shoes when I drive as the pedals are close together.

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  could be better but i still love it - 2003 Lotus Esprit
  By HenryC - September 19 - 10:00 am

  the interior is a little tight, but its well worth it. your outside view it slightly limited but i dont complain about it. its not too bad. it uses a lot of gas and normally its not a big deal but with gas prices today i pay almost a third more then i usually do so i cut back on its drive time.

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  The most fun on four wheels - 2007 Lotus Exige
  By AZExigeS - August 16 - 8:43 pm

  The 2007 Lotus Exige S is very quick and handles like its on rails. The only other car I want is a Pagani Zonda. My comments: do NOT buy this car if you want luxury. There is hardly anything inside except bare aluminum. Buy a Cayman S instead. DO buy this car if you are a real enthusiast and intend to take it to the race track on the weekends. This is a race car built by a company with Formula One heritage.