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Group Lotus is in the position to offer broadest ranges of production sports cars. From the dune buggy-like 340R to the Elise series,
Other models include the sleek and angular Esprit (offered in V-8 and V-8 GT models), and the race car-inspired Exige. The company's Lotus Engineering division consults with other carmakers to take a project from concept through to design, development, and testing. The company can even help in manufacturing the finished product. Ten percent of all the cars made in Europe feature engines designed by Lotus. Malaysian automaker Proton controls 80% of the company. Subsidiary of Proton
History
The Lotus made its Formula One debut at the Monaco Grand Prix with Cliff Allison finishing in fifth place. The Lotus Engineering Company was founded by Colin Chapman in 1952 as a result of Chapman's
great success in building and racing trial cars.
Located in Norfolk, England, Lotus has become over the last few decades one of racing's most dominant teams. Currently limited to Formula One competition, Lotus was initially a diverse racing team.
Lotus dominated Le Mans in the '50s. The mid-1960s saw the Golden Age of Lotus racing as its British drivers Jim Clark and Graham Hill enjoyed great success. Jim Clark won the first World Driver's Championship for
Lotus in 1963. Lotus has in recent years been represented by such virtuoso drivers as Emmerson Fittipaldi and Alessandro Zanardi.
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