Lotus marks 70 years with 100,000th car

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 30.08.2018

Lotus’ milestone car, an Evora, is built in tribute to legendary Lotus racer Jim Clark

This year sees storied British sportscar firm Lotus, reach a milestone few other manufacturers can claim.

2018 marks 70 years for Lotus, something Ferrari celebrated last year, and something Lamborghini will have to wait  another 15 years to celebrate.

To mark the occasion, Lotus’ 100,000^th car – a Special Edition Evora GT410 Sport – has rolled off the production line in a bright red tribute to Lotus’s historic team racer Jim Clark.

The special Evora was commissioned to support the Jim Clark Trust, and was given the tick of approval by Hazel Chapman, widow of Lotus founder Colin Chapman.

"70 years ago, I never dreamt that there would be a 100,000^th Lotus. I’m immensely proud of the company and Colin’s legacy" she said.

"Today Lotus still builds such fantastic sports cars and I’m touched to be able to see the 100,000^th car".

The Lotus Evora GT410 Sport was hand-built on the same factory site that Hazel Chapman helped establish; and while a production milestone of 100,000 cars may pale in comparison to larger manufacturers, Lotus has long been a small firm dedicated to bespoke hand-built lightweight sportscars.

The Evora GT410 Sport starts at A$209,990 for the manual, and boasts a Toyota-derived 3.5lt supercharged V6 engine capable of 305kW. The car is a lightweight, tipping the scales at 1297kg dry.

This Jim Clark special however, will be prized off in competition at jimclarklotus.com

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