The Lotus Evija Shattering expectations of Lotus pricing, the 2,000-horsepower Evija sets a new bar for no-holds-barred electric hypercars. Just 130 examples of this otherworldly coupe will meet the road, each priced as the most expensive Lotus ever offered by a staggering margin.
When it comes to exotic sports cars and racing machines, few automakers can match the pedigree and performance of Lotus. The British brand has been crafting lightweight, nimble sports cars since 1948, accruing countless race wins and devoted drivers along the way.
Top 10 Most Expensive Lotus Car
10: Lotus Emira V6 First Edition
Kicking off the list is the all-new Emira, the sleek sports car replacing the beloved Elise, Exige and Evora in the Lotus lineup. The Emira V6 First Edition serves as the launch version of this mid-engine coupe, limited to just 399 examples worldwide.
Power comes from a 3.5-liter supercharged Toyota V6 putting out 400-horsepower. Translating all that grunt into grin-inducing acceleration is a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. With its lightweight composite construction, adaptive dampers and aerodynamic silhouette, the Emira promises to be a proper drivers’ car priced under $100k – but these exclusive First Editions breach into six-figure territory.
9: Lotus Evora GT
Representing Lotus’ prior generation of sports cars is the graceful Evora GT grand tourer model. Its hand-laid composite bodywork cloaks a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 pumping out 376-horsepower through a standard six-speed manual.
The Evora GT tempers the extreme performance of other variants with features like power seats, carpeted floors, and an uprated stereo and navigation system. Despite the addition of these creature comforts, the Evora GT still clocks 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds thanks to its excellent power-to-weight ratio.
8: Lotus Evora Sport 410
Turning up the wick on refinement, the Evora Sport 410 strips out some accommodations in pursuit of raw performance. Output from the familiar 3.5-liter supercharged Toyota V6 rises to 410-horsepower here, rocketing the Sport 410 to 60 mph in only 3.9 seconds.
This brisk acceleration comes courtesy of the Evora’s featherweight construction, with the Sport 410 tipping the scales at just over 3,000 pounds. Upgrades like a titanium exhaust system, bi-modal exhaust, and ultra-suede seats make this Evora a focused drivers’ car with a sonorous soundtrack.
7: Lotus Evora GT430
If the Evora Sport 410 seems too tame, the muscular GT430 should satisfy. This track-honed variant cranks the supercharged V6 to 430-horsepower while adding wider tires, carbon fiber components, and more aggressive aerodynamics. Intricate parts like the rear wing, diffuser and sills generate meaningful downforce to improve grip and stability.
Inside the GT430’s stripped-down cabin, faux suede upholstery and body-hugging seats set the tone. A torque-sensing limited-slip differential helps translate all that power into quick lap times with scalpel-like precision. This is a serious weapon for carving up circuits in style.
6: Lotus Exige Cup 430
From the extended family of Lotus’ beloved Exige, the Cup 430 represents the highest evolution of this street-legal track tool. Installing a supercharged 3.5-liter V6 with 430 eager horsepower creates a real rocketship, hitting 60 mph in a physics-defying 3.2 seconds.
Yet the Exige Cup 430 tempers its big power with a severely stripped-down ethos geared solely towards lap times. An FIA-approved roll cage, race seats, and six-point harnesses set the stage inside. Aerodynamic tweaks like a giant wing, front splitter and dive planes take handling and grip to the extreme. It’s a road-registered racecar through and through – naughty in all the right ways.
5: Lotus 3-Eleven 485
If the Exige Cup 430 seems too bloated and cushy, may we present the 3-Eleven 485 track special? The craziest iteration of Lotus’ formula racecar-for-the-road centres around a 4.0-liter supercharged V6 churning out 485 horsepower. At under 2,000 pounds the 3-Eleven 485 boasts manic acceleration, topping out above 180 mph.
This street-legal circuit animal is even more single-mindedly focused than the Exige Cup 430, omitting needless items like carpet and storage bins. The fixed bucket seats, tiny windshield and lack of infotainment underscore the 3-Eleven’s mission. With giant fender flares covering 20-inch wheels, this beast looks the business for blistering track days.
4: Lotus Exige Cup 430 Final Edition
catapulting into the six-figure realm of insane Lotuses, the aptly named Exige Cup 430 Final Edition bids farewell to the venerable Exige with 60 examples of lightweight lunacy. Beyond bumping output to 430 horsepower, Lotus’ engineers went berserk shedding every possible ounce.
Swapping in carbon fiber exterior panels like the rear wing saves crucial pounds. New 19-inch forged aluminum wheels wrap sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, while four titanium exhaust tips signal the Cup 430 FE’s sporting intentions. With only a total 1,919 pounds to shuttle around, this Exige will devour curves without breaking a sweat. And fit and finish is exemplary for a boutique 60-unit run.
3: Lotus Eletre
Proving that even Lotus must move with the times, the forthcoming Eletre electric SUV presages a battery-powered future for the brand. The sleek exterior profiling hides a high-tech cabin with loads of touchscreens and contemporary appointments unusual for a Lotus.
Three electric motors generate around 600 horsepower, while a 100 kilowatt-hour battery pack should deliver over 373 miles of driving range. Despite its 5,500-pound mass, the Eletre should sprint to 60 mph in under three seconds – proper supercar acceleration.
Look for the Eletre later this year as Lotus’ electric revolution kicks into high gear. This handsome utility ushers in an eco-friendlier and more practical era that need not abandon sporting virtues.
2: Lotus Type 135
Speaking of electric SUVs, even less is known about Lotus’ second EV crossover, codenamed Type 135. Trademark filings for the name ‘Omega’ suggest this forthcoming battery-powered crossover could revive a storied nameplate. Expect seating for five adults rather than the Eletre’s four-passenger layout.
Lotus promises the Type 135 will deliver the brand’s signature driving experience in a more practical package. With 300-plus miles of range and charging capability up to 350 kilowatts, road trip potential seems ample. And in keeping with the lightweight ethos, we can expect ample power, agility and driver engagement.
This affordable electric crossover remains mostly shrouded in mystery. But as an early effort in Lotus’ electrified reinvention, Type 135 signals great promise on the horizon.
1: Lotus Evija (Type 130) Hypercar
Shattering expectations of Lotus pricing, the 2,000-horsepower Evija sets a new bar for no-holds-barred electric hypercars. Just 130 examples of this otherworldly coupe will meet the road, each priced as the most expensive Lotus ever offered by a staggering margin.
The Evija’s sleek carbon fiber skin cloaks four electric motors, one powering each wheel with instant torque delivery. Quadruple-digit horsepower enables acceleration that competes with today’s Formula 1 racecars. Lotus claims a top speed exceeding 200 mph, while charging capability replenishes depleted batteries in under 20 minutes.
Inside the Evija’s high-tech cockpit, premium materials and digital interfaces befit the ultra-exclusive nature. Satellite-linked dynamic systems allow for over-the-air software updates, keeping the Evija on the technological cutting edge into the future.