The nameplate was introduced in the mid-1970s and became one of Lotus’s most recognizable road cars. It grew out of the company’s Giugiaro-penned wedge-shaped concept and reached production for the 1976 model year, giving Lotus a distinctive mid-engined flagship that helped push the brand further upmarket. The early cars established the model’s long-running character: sharp styling, lightweight construction, and a focus on handling and road presence rather than excess size or luxury.
Over time, the car evolved through several clearly defined eras while remaining a single continuous production line. The original four-cylinder series gave way to the Turbo model in 1980, which broadened its appeal by bringing serious straight-line performance to the design. A major restyle arrived in 1987 under Peter Stevens, softening the original edges while keeping the car’s basic identity intact; that period included later four-cylinder variants such as the SE, S4, S4s, GT3, and Sport 300. In 1996, Lotus introduced the V8 version, which carried the line into the 2000s and became the final major evolution of the nameplate.
The last cars were built in 2004, ending more than 27 years of production at Hethel. The model also gained lasting cultural fame through its appearances in James Bond films, which helped make it one of Lotus’s most iconic and enthusiast-loved road cars.