The history of Lotus
“Simplify, then add lightness.” Colin Chapman's principle has defined the brand for more than seven decades.
- 1948
The first Lotus
The young engineer Colin Chapman builds his first competition car, based on an Austin Seven, in a garage in London.
- 1952
Lotus Engineering
Chapman founds Lotus Engineering. Two years later the racing team, Team Lotus, becomes a separate operation.
- 1957
Seven and Elite
The Seven becomes a symbol of the minimalist sports car. The Elite is among the first production cars with a glass-fibre monocoque body.
- 1958
Formula 1 debut
Team Lotus makes its world championship debut at the Monaco Grand Prix.
- 1960
First Formula 1 win
Stirling Moss wins the Monaco Grand Prix in a Lotus 18 entered by Rob Walker's private team.
- 1962
Elan and Lotus 25
The lightweight Elan roadster sets the handling benchmark of its day. On the track, the Lotus 25 brings the monocoque chassis to Formula 1.
- 1963
The first world titles
Jim Clark wins the drivers' title and Lotus becomes constructors' champion.
- 1965
Indianapolis 500
Clark wins the Indianapolis 500 in a Lotus 38 and a second Formula 1 world title in the same year.
- 1966
Hethel
Lotus moves to Hethel in Norfolk, to a former military airfield. Its runways become the brand's test track.
- 1968
The end of an era
Jim Clark is killed at Hockenheim. In the same year Lotus introduces sponsor liveries to Formula 1 and Graham Hill wins the title.
- 1972
Black and gold
The Team Lotus cars appear in John Player Special colours. Emerson Fittipaldi becomes world champion in the Lotus 72.
- 1976
Lotus Esprit
The wedge-shaped, mid-engined Esprit stays in production for nearly three decades.
- 1978
Lotus 79
Mario Andretti wins the title in the Lotus 79, the car that established ground effect. They are the team's last world titles.
- 1982
The death of Colin Chapman
The founder of Lotus dies in December, aged 54.
- 1986
General Motors
General Motors buys Lotus. In 1993 the company passes to Romano Artioli's Bugatti.
- 1994
The last season of Team Lotus
The original team leaves Formula 1 after 36 years in the championship.
- 1996
Lotus Elise
The Elise, with its chassis of bonded aluminium extrusions, takes the brand back to its roots: low weight and direct handling. In the same year Proton becomes the majority owner.
- 2009
Lotus Evora
The Evora is the first all-new Lotus model since the Elise.
- 2017
Geely
The Chinese group Geely acquires a majority stake in Lotus.
- 2019
Lotus Evija
The Evija, the first all-electric Lotus, is unveiled.
- 2021
Emira and the end of the Elise
Production of the Elise, Exige and Evora ends. The Emira is presented as the last Lotus with an internal combustion engine.
- 2022
Eletre and Emeya
The electric Eletre SUV, followed in 2023 by the Emeya, takes the brand into new segments.