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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  Way Too Fun - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Chris D - June 22 - 1:06 am

  Driving this car is very comparable to riding on a roller coaster: same sensations going around curves and accelerating, an occasional hard bump, etc. Other "sports cars" seem pointless in comparison. Best toy Ive ever owned. It makes me feel like a teenager again. Beats other exotics more than twice the price in many ways. Love the body lines and the handling. Absolutely a blast to drive.

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  One wicked car! - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Magnetic Blue Elise - May 11 - 3:46 pm

  Bought this car 6 months ago and have the only complaint of driving it too much! Nothing has gone wrong so far and I do my own oil changes with Mobil 1 5w40 synthetic oil. On curvy roads its unbeatable. Me and my friends with fast cars (08 evo, 05 vette, 04 G35 Coupe, 04 STI) go cruising on local back roads and none of them can keep up with me. Try taking a tight turn on the hwy at 130mph... this car can do it! Has a very unique design that is eye catching for all ages!

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  Fast and Fun - 2006 Lotus Elise
  By John Grage - March 30 - 5:26 am

  An absolute true sports car. Not only all show but more than enough go. Tight interior that holds you snug for those twisting roads that push you to the limits. A real eye catcher, lots of looks and plenty of camera phone shots on the road. A bit of trouble entering and exiting but well worth the effort. Excellent power to weight ratio. Not quite a vehicle for winter conditions, which makes one pine for summer.

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  Dont judge. Its better than you think. - 2006 Lotus Elise
  By mikeebear - February 22 - 3:40 am

  This car is amazing. It is like a street-legal road rocket. A race car. A go-kart. Its so fun to drive. I have driven faster cars, but none more gratifying than this. And its no slouch either! Once youre inside, its pretty cozy and roomy. Easy to get comfy in. I have never been in a car that garnered so much attention. Every day I get compliments, questions, comments, and non-stop looks. I dont imagine that Ferrari owners get nearly this much attention. Take this car to some twisty back roads and the magic will come to life. That is where this car belongs and that is where you will have the most fun with it. Its no dragster and if thats what you want, move on, this car isnt for you.

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  Cheap at Twice the Price - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Joel - December 17 - 5:30 am

  I have the Sport-track model of the Elise. This car is for people who want a RIDE, not transportation. Having said that, though I have an additional car that I have put only 200 miles on since getting the Elise. To be blunt, driving any other car is just a chore. I cant keep a smile off my face when I drive this car. People should have to pay an entertainment fee just to look at it!

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  Best sports car, period. - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Raymond - November 6 - 12:03 pm

  Pure performance, adrenaline pumping, and fast, real fast. After driving the Elise, the Boxster feels like a sedan... The Elise gives you a unique experience that is hard to put into words. It is a fun car, not for daily driving since the suspension is hard (race-tuned) for fast curves

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  Simply sublime - 2006 Lotus Elise
  By KH - June 15 - 7:00 pm

  My first car ever purchased, and I would have it no other way. I test drove the Cayman, 911, Corvette (base, not Z06) and had a Z3 in college, but this car blows all of them away. After driving it, I knew I couldnt pass. I live and work in Malaysia, but was home in the US for 2 months over the summer and took that opportunity to purchase this car and drive from Houston to Chicago overnight to drop it off with my family. 1000 miles in 15 hours was a breeze; I felt very little discomfort the entire trip. My only pain was from my left arm resting on the door sill for hours on end. But for the thrill of driving a car with this performance and still getting 28 mpg, the discomfort was worth it.

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  You Wear this Car - 2006 Lotus Exige
  By gtlotus - May 10 - 3:26 am

  The Exige and you become one. You can feel everything that goes on. Every bump, every crack. There are no surprises. This is the best Lotus ever. Colin is smiling!

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  The Best of The Best - 2004 Lotus Esprit
  By krush - April 20 - 10:00 am

  amzing, this car dominates evryone, it is the best vehicle anyone could hope for. If only someone around here could give my car a work out.

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  My 2 Mid Life Crises - 2001 Lotus Esprit
  By i own 2 - April 1 - 10:00 am

  only problem is the high amount of maintainence that a lotus needs but if you can afford to buy a decent esprit than you can afford to keep it on the road