Discover the Lotus Story | Lotus Cars Netherlands

THE
LOTUS
STORY

A REVOLUTION OF PURE PERFORMANCE

EXPANDING OUR LEGACY

INNOVATOR. GROUNDBREAKER. RULE BENDER.

Characteristics that define Lotus and its founder Colin Chapman, and won the hearts of generations of race fans and car enthusiasts.

As we enter a new era in automotive, Lotus is determined to build on the pioneering legacy that runs through our past, present and future.

OUR VISION AND MISSION

THE EARLY YEARS

It’s 1947 when Colin Chapman gets his first taste of motorsport as a passenger in a muddy trials event. The experience lights a spark.

Chapman begins building his own car, in a lock-up garage behind his girlfriend Hazel’s parents’ house. Using a 1928 Austin Seven as the base, he crafts his first trials machine, the Mark I.

Other models quickly follow, already showcasing Chapman’s unique and innovative approach. It doesn’t take long before the cars he builds create customer demand.

In 1952, Lotus is born.

THE STORY OF COLIN CHAPMAN

THE FIRST ICONS

The Mark VI is Chapman’s first production car. Its successor, the Mark VIII, brings Lotus its first internationally recognised racing successes in the 1954 season.

The car is quickly followed by the IX, X and the Lotus Eleven, an all-time classic.

In 1957 the Lotus 7 is launched. Lotus Engineering Company sells over 2,500 7s until 1972, the year production ends and Colin Chapman sells the rights to Caterham. They continue to build a version of the 7, which today is still one of the most popular club racing models.

THE FIRST LOTUS CARS

RACING IN THE BIG LEAGUES

Colin Chapman matched his undeniable engineering talent with a relentless drive. And as his racing prototypes became more serious, so did his ambitions. Club racing was followed by Le Mans in 1957 and Lotus’ first Grand Prix in Formula 1 in 1958.

It would be the starting point of 3 decades of unprecedented racing history that etches the Lotus name in the annals of international motorsport.

LOTUS IN FORMULA 1

INNOVATIONS, TITLES AND LEGACY

With 79 Grand Prix wins, 7 Constructor’s and 6 Driver’s titles, there’s no doubt about Lotus’ legacy in Formula 1. But the impact of Colin Chapman and Team Lotus goes well beyond the silverware.

Their innovative approach to engineering resulted in pure strokes of genius. Out of which some of the most groundbreaking and iconic race cars materialised.

Cars that rewrote the rules, redefined designs and still dictate how today’s race cars are built.

THE FORMULA 1 LEGACY OF LOTUS

LOTUS F1RSTS

Colin Chapman was the first who understood racing wasn’t just about raw power.

He added efficiency and aerodynamics to the equation. Resulting in cars that were lighter, stiffer, sleeker, faster, smarter. And featured many Lotus F1RSTS that radically changed F1 design.

The sequential gearbox of the Type 12, the inboard suspension of the Type 21, the monocoque chassis of the Type 25, the ground-effect of the Type 79 and the active suspension of the Type 99T, to name a few.

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ROAD CARS

Colin Chapman’s first dedicated production car, the Lotus Elite, was actually born out of necessity. To be able to keep pursuing his racing ambitions, cashflow was needed.

The car was a poster child for Chapman’s ‘Simplify, then add lightness’ ethos. And set the tone for every road car that followed wearing the Lotus badge. Cementing Lotus’ place in history as the world's lightest-car company.

One-of-a-kind cars, inspired by their race-track brethren. Offering ride and handling that’s unequalled, and became synonymous with the Lotus name.

TIMELESS ICONS

The illustrious line-up of Lotus road cars has united and inspired generations of passionate drivers. Cars that became cultural icons, and bring to life the era in which they first connected with the asphalt.

Like the 1957 Elite, the epitome of Chapman’s unconventional, entrepreneurial drive. Or its successor the 1962 Lotus Elan, that delivered incomparable ‘feel’ behind the wheel — a Lotus trademark.

Other icons include the famous Lotus Esprit Turbo from 1980. A car with star power that featured in several Hollywood blockbusters.

And of course the immortal Lotus Elise (1996), the instant classic that proved Colin’s minimalist philosophy was as powerful as ever, decades later.

EVERY ICONIC LOTUS ROAD CAR

GLOBAL CRAFTSMANSHIP

What started in 1948 in a modest garage has evolved into a state-of-the art approach and presence around the world. From the original Hethel factory to the Lotus Global EV Production Centre in Wuhan, Lotus manufacturing has revolutionised the ways that cars are designed, developed, and built.

Looking forward, Lotus continues to operate at the forefront of engineering excellence. Embracing and developing revolutionary ideas, designs and technology, while leading the way into new frontiers.

FOR THE DRIVERS

The story of Lotus started in the genius mind of a maverick carmaker who turned his philosophy and ambition into a legacy of groundbreaking cars. Cars that led a revolution of pure performance.

This uncompromising pursuit of greatness remains the driving force of Lotus. It’s the DNA that runs through the core of every car carrying the Lotus badge. From the stripped-down, lightweight sports racers to our luxury Hyper-EVs that define a new class.

Every Lotus is designed to deliver a driving experience that’s second to none. A chemistry between car and driver, that hits you the moment you take the wheel.

DISCOVER OUR FULL LINE-UP

WELCOME TO THE FUTURE

Lotus Theory 1. The first expression of our new design manifesto. An experimental concept car that merges our past, present and future, based on 3 core principles that make up our DNA:

Digital. Natural. Analogue.

Crafted with highly advanced materials and the ultimate immersive and responsive driving system, Theory 1 humanises the latest cutting-edge technologies. Breathing new life into the dynamic relationship between driver, car and road.

Welcome to the future of intelligent performance.

ENTER THEORY 1