Unlike the world’s popular car brands like Ferrari or Porsche, you may perhaps only have heard about Lotus cars now. Well, they themselves said they are not after the popularity of the most highly-renowned car brands in the world. They like to keep it low-key. This is also because Lotus cars come from a British automotive company Lotus Cars Limited with headquarters in Norfolk, England.
The brand manufactures sports and racing cars regarded for their lightweight and good handling characteristics. Nonetheless, Lotus remains in the news in terms of competitive car racing. Lotus was previously involved in Formula One racing via Team Lotus, winning the Formula One World Championship seven times.
If you are looking at purchasing a Lotus car, you are on the right page. Lotus has markets internationally, including the United States, Italy, Germany, China, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia. Lotus Malaysia, for one, has various car models on sale in this Southeast Asian country. These include the Convertible, Coupe, Hybrid, and EV. The highest-priced Lotus model in the region is the Lotus Exige Roadster.
Join our discussion in this article as we introduce the 10 greatest Lotus cars ever produced in history.
1. Lotus Evija
Recognized as the $2.1 million electric hypercar, the 2020 Lotus Evija is a 2,000 hp EV hypercar with production only limited to 130 units. The car features four electric motors with a total output of 1,970 hp and 1,254 lb/ft of torque. Its battery is in the middle of the vehicle, helping better distribute its weight.
Its electric motors are sourced from Integral Powertrain Ltd and feature extremely slim helical gear ground planetary gearboxes. The engine and the gearbox are all packaged together in one cylindrical unit for each drive unit, which means it is compact and lightweight, the selling point of Lotus cars.
2. Lotus Exige Sport 410
After careful thinking, the Lotus Exige Sport 410 has landed on the list of the most highly-revered Lotus cars by car enthusiasts and specialists. But they say this deserves to be on the list.
This Lotus car takes pride in its recalibrated version of the ubiquitous supercharged Toyota 3.5L V6 engine. It has a weight ratio of 389 hp/tonne and is available in both Coupe and Roadster configurations.
It is also small and light, yet with an elaborate mechanical setup, which is why it is able to communicate with the surroundings uniquely when compared with other cars of this kind.
3. Lotus Elan S2
In October 1962, the Lotus Elan sports car, also referred to as the Type 26, was launched at the Earls Court Motor Show in London as the Elan 1500. Colin Chapman, Lotus’ founder, has visualized the Elan as a replacement for the Lotus Seven and the Elite.
This Series 2 Lotus car was fitted with larger disc brakes and an updated interior.
4. Lotus Elise GT1
At number four is Lotus Elise GT1. This Lotus car is touted for utilizing a production aluminum chassis with a custom carbon fiber body optimized for endurance racing. It is also the monster twin-turbo 6.0-liter version of the C4 Corvette’s LT5 V8.
5. Elan Sprint
Following the Lotus Elise GT1 in the list of the greatest Lotus cars in history is the light, fun, and peak is Elan Sprint.
The Elan evolved over a dozen years, gaining a bit more power, a companion coupe, and better appointments, even including a stretched “+2” coupe series. The Elan Sprint of 1971 to 1974 was the best among the final variants.
It was in 1971 when Lotus launched the Sprint as the ultimate Elan. It utilized the big-valve cylinder head in conjunction with striking paint schemes that celebrated the victory of Lotus Players F1. An ingredient to the Sprint was the big valve engine that produced 126 bhp, thanks to its D camshaft and 10.3:1 compression.
6. Lotus Elise S1
Another Lotus Elise that successfully landed on the list is its S1 version. Many car experts believe the Lotus Elise S1 is the original and still the best.
Launched as a low production model, the Elise has shattered expectations in sales and returned Lotus to the forefront of sports car manufacturing. This original S1 Lotus Elise introduced a range of innovations that revolutionized the automotive industry.
The features are highly notable. It has a chassis made from extruded and bonded aluminum, composite energy that absorbs the front crash structure, and lightweight composite body panels. It is never heavy.
7. Lotus Carlton
As the counterpart, perhaps even the competitor of other renowned car brands like BMW, many car enthusiasts say it has made BMW cars look ordinary. What’s in the Lotus Carlton?
The base of this car is the Vauxhall Carlton 3.0 GSi 24v and improved its every aspect. It had the characteristics of the true Lotus, resulting in one of the most engaging and fast saloons of the 1990s.
It is also interesting to note that Lotus spent a lot of time reworking the suspension, brakes, and aerodynamics. Thus, they were able to produce this super-tuned saloon that offered the fastest four-door experience in 1989. It has been ahead of the competition, including BMW cars like the M5.
8. Lotus Exige S Type 72
The best variant of the Series 2 Exige has to be this Type 72 commemorative car.
The Lotus Exige S Type 72 has been touted as an evocative sportscar, combining cutting-edge handling and performance with the iconic color scheme of Type 72, among the most popular racing liveries of all time.
9. Lotus Evora GT
At number nine is Lotus Evora GT. This Evora GT is created specifically for the North American market. Its features? Well, stunning.
These features include the two-seat or 2+2 seat arrangement, the 3.5-liter supercharged six-cylinder engine that puts out 416 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque, and the engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission. The features also include the powertrain that makes for a 0-60 mph time of just 3.8 seconds, a top speed of 188 mph, hydraulically-boosted steering, and so much more.
We got only one more spot in the top 10 list of the greatest Lotus cars ever produced in history. Let’s see if you are right on your guesses.
10. Lotus Seven (S4)
The Lotus Seven was launched as a “no-frills” sports car. It started as an updated version of the successful Lotus Mark 6, the first production sports car for Lotus.
Without a doubt, Lotus has a rich history as a manufacturer and racing team. Its founder, Colin Chapman, is recognized worldwide as one of the most brilliant automotive engineers. He is responsible for some of the most exciting original thinking when it comes to engineering cars. This brilliant innovation has led to sustainably solid profits for the company and the creation of the world’s most admirable sports cars.
