Lotus to Kill off Elise, Exige and Evora Models

Lotus has ceased production of all three of its proven models. The last Elise, Exige and Evora models will roll off the production line before starting the new Emira-led era.

Combined, Lotus has produced 51,738 units of the three models, almost half of the company’s total production in its 73-year history.

The last version of each car to be completed is kept in Lotus’ collection.

The new Emira will go into production in spring 2022. It will be the last Lotus with a purely internal combustion engine and the first new production car since its acquisition by Geely and, together with the Evija hypercar, will herald a new era of future models.

Lotus chief executive Matt Windle paid tribute to the team that has worked on the three cars and said they would bring their expertise to the production of the Emira and Evija. He added: “I would also like to express my deep gratitude to all the customers of the Elise, Exige and Evora over the last 26 years for their passion, enthusiasm and support,” said Matt Windle, Lotus chief executive.

“These customers have given our ‘three Es’ a true cult status, usually reserved for classics that have long since gone out of production. As we say goodbye to the last cars, we look forward to the Emira and Evija at the all-new factories in Hethel and pre-assembly plants in Norwich, introducing greater efficiency and automation, higher quality and flexibility and the fascinating next chapter in our Vision80 strategy.”

First produced in 1996, the Elise has been given a Sport 240 Final Edition in yellow, the last model of 35,124 made.

The last Exige is a Cup 430 Final Edition in Heritage Racing Green and the 10,497th example produced at Hethel. The model was introduced in 2000.

The two models are based on Lotus’ small car platform, also used for the Vauxhall VX220 and the original Tesla Roadster. In addition to the Lotus 340R, Europa, 2-Eleven and 3-Eleven, some 7200 VX220s and 2515 Roasters were produced for 56,618 cars built on this platform.

The larger Evora first hit UK roads in 2009. The final model is dark metallic grey and is the 6117th Evora to leave the Norwich factory.

“Together with the Lotus design team, I have lived and breathed these cars for over 26 years,” said Russell Carr, Lotus design director.

“We will miss them, but it’s like Christmas: As soon as it’s over, the anticipation builds for the next one – and that’s exactly what’s happening now at Lotus with the Evija, the Emira and the upcoming Type 132. 2022 is going to be a great year with a new generation of Lotus on the grid,” Carr said.

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