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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  my 2005 Lotus Elise - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By larry - February 23 - 5:23 am

  Handles better than any car Ive ever driven. Excellent brakes. With top off, easy in and out but requires a good back and knees to get in and out with the top on. Air and heat work great.

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  Dream car... - 2006 Lotus Elise
  By pw378 - January 30 - 2:06 pm

  This is the most exciting, exhilarating car I have ever known. My daily commuter is a BMW Z3 that I really like, but compared to the Lotus Elise, the Z3 is about as exciting as a 1960s Volkswagen Beetle. From the body styling, to the acceleration and cornering, this car simply cannot be beat by any car under $150k. If you love driving, get this car! Sell everything you have if needed, but this car is not to be missed.

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  Esprit is Fabulous!!! - 2002 Lotus Esprit
  By std63 - January 5 - 2:00 am

  After having both a Ferrari 355 and 360, I can say that the esprit is the best car out there for the money!! This thing just goes and is much more exclusive than a Ferrari

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  wow - 2006 Lotus Exige
  By danny8623 - December 10 - 8:53 pm

  This has to be the funnest car I have ever had. Maybe not the fastest but I can take any turn at any speed. You have got to have one; it IS the BEST.

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  Lots of Bang for your Buck! - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By WC Kelly - September 23 - 1:00 am

  This car is a true head-turner. There is absolutely, positively NO other car that competes with the Lotus Elise in either looks or performance for the price. An absolute PLEASURE to drive, this car will give you a perma-grin. I have parked my Chrome Orange Elise next to cars costing twice as much, yet the crowd seems to gather around the Lotus. If you are shy, this is NOT the car for you, unless, perhaps, you are looking to come out of your shell. This is an excellent car for for women or men with small feet, as the pedals are located close together. It is certainly not the most graceful car to enter and exit... (dont wear a skirt ladies!) All in all a fantastic car to drive!

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  So Much Fun It Must Be Immoral - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By JimmyJoe - September 12 - 2:43 am

  This car is a no-compromise toy that can be used to actually get you from one place to another when thats what you need. The main thing though is that its obscenely fun to drive. Others have said it before and its true: The Elise is a perfect combination of jumbo-sized go-cart and wannabe race car. And its so fantastic looking that people cant help but smile and comment and ask about it. The only real problem is everyone is always looking at you.

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  111R - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By bryan conlee - August 29 - 4:26 am

  I am very impressed with the performance and build quality for this low production, hand built, semi- affordable automobile. The interior is a bit Spartan, but its really all you need. This car is meant for driving enjoyment, not cruising in the lap of luxury. Ingress/egress is a bit tricky, but once inside, the car fits you like a glove, and the seats are surprisingly comfortable. The stereo leaves something to be desired, but that is minor and can be changed. The exterior design is one of the most beautiful ever dreamt up, in my somewhat biased opinion. Performance is incredible, even with its mere 190HP. I plan on enjoying this car for a lifetime...

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  "Grin" - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Robert Hoar - April 22 - 2:10 am

  If I were to get a vanity plate for this car it would be "GRIN". It is so much fun to drive that I come up with the most ridiculus excuses to take it out. The car is beautifully engineered, very well built, and handles better than any car I have ever driven. And it has show-stopper looks! The Elise makes all but the most exotic cars look "normal".

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  Awesome Car! - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By MattB - February 20 - 5:03 am

  If you are looking for a weekend sports car with no compromises- this is it!

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  Lotus Elise 2005 - 2005 Lotus Elise
  By Vance - February 19 - 5:36 am

  The car of my dreams. Its really a fun car to drive and the sexiest car on the road today.