Late last week, news emerged suggesting that Lotus might equip its flagship Emira with a more powerful V8 engine to appeal to US buyers and potentially compete directly with the Porsche 911 GT3. Naturally, this made us reflect on the last V8-powered Lotus – the iconic Esprit – along with its famous ‘Wet Nellie’ and Essex Turbo variants. This reflection occupied most of our Friday evening.
Looking into other special-edition Lotuses, we were genuinely surprised by both the number of them (only the barely-controlled MINI surpasses Lotus in this regard) and how many we had completely forgotten about. While the recent Evija Fittipaldi and Emira Clark Editions were still fresh in our minds, editions like the Lotus Elise Anniversary Editions (whether 50th or 60th) or the US-only Club Racer, and even the $27,000 Type 136 e-Bike Lotus once launched, didn’t ring any bells.
After much discussion (and some arguing), we’ve chosen a few favorites below. Don’t worry if your favorite isn’t included; there’s plenty of material for a second article if there’s enough interest or passionate debate in the comments.
Number 10. Esprit ‘Investors Edition’ (1983)
Although tempting to include the Sport 350, claiming the most extreme Esprit was ‘forgotten’ felt misleading. We’re on uncertain ground with this model, but a) how could we exclude the only V8-powered Lotus here, and b) its story is remarkable. Only 50 of the then-new Turbo Esprit were allocated for the US market, but at least two didn’t make it. This 1983 Special Edition, dubbed the ‘Investor’s Edition,’ wasn’t sold through official US dealers, as Lotus was still finalizing its North American return. Instead, ‘investors’ contributed around $65,000 each to a private import firm, receiving 1.8% shares and a ‘free’ Esprit Turbo. Each 2.2-liter turbocharged engine was finely balanced, reportedly delivering better performance than the standard Esprit Turbo.
Number 9. Elise Cup 250 Bathurst Edition (2020)
Many models draw inspiration from Lotus’ 77-year racing heritage, so this Australia-only edition is a bit puzzling. It honoured the Bathurst 12 Hours race, which Lotus hadn’t entered as a factory team since 2009 (though customer teams had done well), celebrated Australia as Lotus’ sixth-largest market, and commemorated Jim Clark’s three Tasman Series championships in the 1960s. It also referenced Kimi Räikkönen’s 2013 Australian Grand Prix win with Lotus. Only six Australian customers received an Elise Cup 250 featuring a Union Jack stencil on the wing and ‘Monaco White’ paint, along with track-focused suspension and Brembo brakes to enhance agility. Strange? Yes. Pretty cool? Definitely.
Number 8. Elise Classic Heritage Edition (2020)
While the previous model’s motorsport connection was mild, the 2020 Classic Heritage editions strongly emphasised Lotus’ Grand Prix legacy. Four editions, totaling just 100 units, were based on the Elise Sport 220. The supercharged four-cylinder engine remained unchanged, but Lotus highlighted nearly $16,000 worth of upgrades, including lightweight forged wheels, air conditioning, and cruise control, for an extra $8,500 over the standard 220. The main attraction was the four Grand Prix heritage paint schemes, inspired by:
- Graham Hill’s title-winning Gold Leaf Type 49B (red, white, and gold)
- Nigel Mansell’s 1980 Type 81 (blue, red, and silver)
- Sir Stirling Moss’ 1961 Monaco GP-winning Type 18 (dark blue and white)
- And the iconic JPS black and gold
Unfortunately, most attention at the time was on Lotus’ first electric supercar, revealed just months earlier.
Number 7. Elise SC RGB and Exige S RGB (2011)
We combine these two special editions as the ‘RGB’ edition marked the end of the second-generation Elise and Exige in 2010. It also celebrated the final use of Toyota’s ‘2ZZ’ four-cylinder engine in a Lotus and honoured RoGer Becker, the brand’s former project engineering director, after nearly 44 years at Hethel. Mechanically, little changed (217 hp in the Elise, 257 hp in the Exige), but Becker’s signature was embossed on the C-pillar of both models, accompanied by a numbered plaque and monochrome Lotus badge. Sadly, Becker passed away seven years after 200 cars bearing his name were produced.
Number 6. Elise ‘Purist’ Edition (2009)
One might expect a ‘Purist’ Elise, from a company known for ‘simplify and add lightness,’ to be a stripped-down racer with door pulls instead of handles, manual windows, no ABS, no power steering, and just one seat. However, while the passenger seat was fixed for better weight distribution and door trim and carpeting were removed, the Purist Edition retained nearly all features available on the US Sport-packaged Elise, except for the leather-trimmed transmission tunnel. Far from bare-bones, the Purist Edition aimed to reduce the entry-level Elise’s MSRP, which had risen to nearly $50,000 in the US within three years.
Number 5. Evora Sport 410 GP Edition (2017)
Staying with North America but moving away from the Elise, this ‘GP Edition’ marked the Evora Sport’s 2018 debut in the US and Canada. Limited to 150 worldwide, the Sport 410 was the fastest road-going Lotus sold in the US at the time. It featured a power boost over the ‘entry-level’ 400, using the same 3.5-liter supercharged V6, and shed 132 pounds tailored to North American demands, enabling a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds. However, the JPS-themed GP Edition was soon overshadowed by the more powerful, carbon-fibre-clad American-only Evora GT, which shaved a tenth off that sprint time.
Number 4. Exige LF1 (2014)
Though tempted to include the European-only Exige Type 25 Limited Edition, the hardcore Exige 430 Cup, inspired by one of Lotus’ greatest racing cars and limited to 25 units in 2021, has a cult following. Yet many may forget the 2014 special edition ‘LF1.’ It can be confused with the more powerful, visually similar Exige Final Sport from a few years later. Only 81 LF1s were made, each with a numbered plaque commemorating every Lotus Grand Prix win. The car featured JPS colours inside and out, red accents nodding to the Lotus E22 F1 car, and ‘LF1’ logos throughout the cabin, serving as a mostly cosmetic alternative to the then-top Exige S.
Number 3. Jim Clark Trust Special Edition Lotus Evora GT410 (2018)
Not to be confused with the Emira Clark, this uniquely named special edition is a one-off, marking the 100,000th official Lotus produced. It honours Lotus’ most famous racer, featuring the same red and white colours and tartan upholstery as the first Lotus Elan driven by Jim Clark in the 1960s. The tribute was personally commissioned by Colin Chapman’s widow, Hazel, on behalf of the Jim Clark Trust, a charity established in 2015. Hazel Chapman was also Lotus’ first shareholder, having lent £50 in 1948 to help start Lotus Engineering.
Number 2. Lotus 75th Anniversary Pen (2023)
Only 75 were made, so it qualifies! And honestly, how many remembered Lotus collaborating with British luxury pen maker Onoto to create a bespoke fountain pen? (This could have been on our ‘random non-car products’ list too.) Launched in 2023 to celebrate Lotus’ 75th anniversary—though the Emeya hyper-GT attracted more attention—each pen featured the ‘ACBC’ monogram in tribute to founder Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman (had there been space, the ‘CBE’ honour would have been included) and was crafted from aluminium sourced from Lotus’ heritage racing cars, including the dominant Type 72. Each pen cost €3,785 (just over $4,300 USD). How’s that for a ‘special edition’?
Number 1. Europa JPS Special (1972)
Before complaints arise that the Europa Special wasn’t a ‘limited edition,’ originally only the first 100 ‘Big Valve’ versions of Lotus’ radical mid-engined GT, introduced in September 1972, were intended to wear the famous John Player Special colours—the first road-going Lotus to do so—in tribute to Lotus’ recent Formula 1 World Constructors’ Championship. Afterwards, the Special was to be renamed ‘Europa Twin Cam’ in honour of the Lotus four-cylinder engine (borrowed from the Elan Sprint) replacing the original Renault unit. However, due to the positive reception, Lotus continued offering the ‘Europa Special’ in black with gold accents (other colours were available). Still unconvinced? Try finding one of the nearly 5,000 Europa Specials and you’ll see only 100 carry the official ‘JPS’ commemorative plaque.
