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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  Lotus Value - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Frank C. Robles - June 15 - 4:16 pm

  Great performance. Very difficult to get in and out.

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  LOVE - 2006 Lotus Elise
  By PT Abbott - March 20 - 8:50 pm

  Its nearly impossible to get into with the top on, almost as bad with the top off. But once youre in it getting out doesnt matter, you just want to stay in it forever. No better bang for the buck, most attention getting car ever owned, and Ive pretty much had them all. A street legal race car that makes you SMILE SMILE SMILE. Theres no better handling, braking or accelerating car on the market, sure some go faster in a straight line, and some may brake a little better, but nothing else has the package the way this car does. God bless Colin Chapman, may he rest in peace, his legacy lives on and on and on.

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  An Owners Review: 2003 Lotus Esprit V8 - 2001 Lotus Esprit
  By Owner of 2003 Esprit - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Frightening fast car, difficult to drive slow. Dont mean b/c u "want" to drive it fast, I mean b/c IT wants to drive fast. The gas pedal is either on or off, as is clutch. Brakes similar, risk a face plant if not careful to go gentle on pedal. Not easy to drive, but has its rewards. Downsides: (there are several), forget about getting it if you are shy, everyone WILL react to it, sometimes positively, sometimes not. This leads to things that weigh on your mind. As in, can I just park this car anywhere?(ans: no). Do I need to plan my trips? (ans: yes). The car nose is unbeleivably low. Remember this is not a Porsche911, it is a supercar.

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  Extreme Toy - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By tra - January 30 - 8:33 pm

  Just an extreme fantasy car - nothing drives like it. Nothing handles like it.

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  Dump your Ferrari! - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By JohnRocket - November 12 - 2:30 am

  Having owned virtually every dreamy sportscar imaginable (yes, I HAD an Enzo), this car is BY FAR the greatest thing that has ever happened to a sunny Sunday morning. Though tough to get into, once inside, you get a comfortable driving position, phenomenal fuel economy, unfiltered communication from the car, and the most pure "street legal" driving experience. Plus, the added benefit of very low cost of ownership, and not worrying if something is happening outside to your Lambo/Ferrari while it is unattended, be it valet or street- parked. Plenty of fans on the streets, but more are curious of what it is, rather than what it costs. Very cool, very fun.

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  the best - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Harry Butt - November 7 - 10:00 am

  best car ever I felt great in it it great for people that like speed and sports

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  Fun toy but rain not allowed - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By German Elise Driver - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Great fun. BUT - rear tires last only 5000 miles, water in cabin when raining, VERY difficult to get in or out with top up. GREAT FUN on twisty roads, but every bump felt. Had to cut hole in undertray to repair muffler, no access from above. Summary - great go-kart in good weather.

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  Almost Perfect - 2006 Lotus Elise
  By ALLAMAN - October 23 - 3:23 am

  Do not buy this car if you are looking for comfort. The Elise is a purpose built machine. The purpose is sublime handling, which is evident on any backroad or cloverleaf. This handling could not have been achieved if the car were packed with (heavy) luxury features. The seats have no padding and getting in/out of the car requires advanced yoga training. You should only buy an Elise when performance is the ONLY thing that is important to you. I love my Elise.

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  Pocket Rocket - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By SP - September 9 - 1:20 am

  Really a fabulous sports car package: lightweight, fantastic performance, Kart like handling and high tech construction.

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  On Rails! - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Daniel Dudak - September 4 - 8:26 pm

  If you want to be removed from the road, to be lulled into comfy oblivion, dont buy this car. If you want to experience the raw thrill of the road unlike any other street-legal vehicle, then this might be the car for you. Yes, it can be difficult to get in and out of, but like a pair of racing gloves or shoes, you dont really "get in" the car, you "put it on".