"Simplicate and Add Lightness" That was Lotus founder Colin Chapman's motto. Under his direction, Team Lotus won seven Formula One Constructors' titles, six Drivers' Championships, and the Indianapolis 500 in the United States, between 1962 and 1978. He is credited with making the mid-engined layout popular for IndyCars, developing the first monocoque Formula One chassis, and the integration of the engine and transaxle as chassis components. Lotus was also among the pioneers in Formula One in adding wings and shaping the undersurface of the car to create downforce, as well as the first to move radiators to the sides in the car to aid in aerodynamic performance, and inventing active suspension.
Today Lotus is thriving on the success of the astounding Elise. A bare-bones 'race car with a radio', the Elise incorporates many engineering innovations, such as an aluminum extrusion frame and a composite body shell. For about the price of a Corvette, which is a fine car in almost every way, the Elise offers almost no creature comforts, a cockpit that fit like spandex, and the most amazing driving experience that most people will ever know. A Corvette is considered light on its feet at about 3,100 lbs. My Honda S2K is an Olympic gymnast at 2,800 lbs. The Elise floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee, barely tipping the scales over 2,000lbs. The key here is driver involvement. The steering is ultra direct. The clutch/shifter action seems connected directly to your synapses. The hottest versions get to 60 as quickly as a 'Vette, but that's not what Lotus is about. Take one of these on an empty winding road with hairpin turns and changes in elevation. The experience is akin to piloting a fighter jet.
Also featured today is a red Lotus Esprit, a beautiful '60's Elan Sprint, a couple Europa's and the amazing Lotus Seven, the ultimate in minimalist sport driving.
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