lotus

This British manufacturer of racing and sports cars officially began its history in 1952. Founded by its auto designer Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman (Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman). History has not retained information why the company was named after such an exotic flower. There is an opinion that this was the nickname of Chapman's girlfriend (later she becomes his wife).

Chapman built his first car back in 1948. The model, which received the uncomplicated name Mk1, was, in fact, an overhaul of the Austin 7. Several more successful models followed. By 1952, the designer finally "matured" to his own company. Which is what was done. Thus was born Lotus Engineering Ltd., which in the first years had to exist solely on the enthusiasm of its founder. The first car of the company was the Lotus Mk6 model.

Chapman was attracted exclusively by high-speed cars, he dreamed of entering the world of big races and aspired to this. And he succeeded - in 1958 lotus comes to Formula 1 - Lotus Mk16 model. By the way, in one of the F-1 races, Chapman himself took as a pilot, though not very successfully, the car fled the race as a result of a breakdown. During the year of its existence (1958-1994), the Lotus team made a significant contribution to the development of this type of racing, which literally transformed the appearance of Formula 1 cars. For example, it was on these cars that the radiator for the first time “moved” from the bow to the sides.

Lotus Elise S 40th Anniversary Limited Edition 2008

History Lotus Engineering Ltd. most interesting until 1882, when Chapman himself was at the helm. After his death from a heart attack (the brilliant designer did not spare himself at all, as a result of which he lived only 54 years), the company retained its former spirit, was exceptionally active in F-1, only the lineup ceased to be so interesting.

As a result, a slow but sure decline begins, which led to the fact that in 1966 it was acquired by General Motors. But the American manufacturer was never able to breathe life into the fading company. Despite the fact that F-1 then managed to achieve significant success (from 1985 to 1987 cars lotus managed by Aerton Senna himself), things went from bad to worse. It all ended with the fact that in 1993 the new owner lotus became Italian Bugatti. Sport Team lotus lasted until 1994, after which it was actually absorbed Pacific Grand Prix.

But also Bugatti failed to achieve impressive results, after which she sold lotus Asia Minor company Proton. Азиатам удалось если не возродить прежний Lotus, то, по крайней мере, сделать компанию вновь прибыльной и привлекательной. Такой она остается и по сей день. Малазийцам удалось также вернуться в 2010 году в «Фурмулу-1» — команда Lotus Racing, which was previously called 1Malaysia F1 Team.

The headquarters of the company, now called Lotus Cars located in Hesel, Norfolk, UK, where Chapman once opened his first factory.