If you think Lotus only makes lightweight track cars, think again. Some models come with hefty price tags, turning them into prized collectibles. The most expensive Lotus ever sold? That would be the Lotus Evija at $2.3 million. Keep reading for the full list of high-priced Lotus models that redefine luxury and performance.
Lotus is one of the most respected names in high-performance sports cars. Known for its lightweight design, precise handling, and track-ready engineering, the brand has built some of the most thrilling cars in automotive history.
But Lotus isn’t just about speed and agility. Some models come with luxury features, rare production numbers, and powerful engines—pushing their prices into the supercar territory.
Top 10 Most Expensive Lotus Cars Ever Sold
This list ranks the 10 most expensive Lotus cars ever sold, featuring everything from modern hypercars to rare race-bred classics.
1. Lotus Elise S Cup R – $90,000
A lightweight track-ready roadster designed for driving enthusiasts.
Key Details
- Year Released: 2014
- Top Speed: 145 mph
- Engine: 1.8L Supercharged Inline-4 (217 HP)
- 0-60 mph: 4.1 seconds
What Makes It Special?
Built with lightweight aluminum and composite materials, the Elise S Cup R offers pure driving pleasure with razor-sharp handling and track-focused aerodynamics. It’s one of the best entry-level track cars.
2. Lotus Carlton – $100,000
A super-sedan with Lotus performance that shocked the automotive world.
Key Details
- Year Released: 1990
- Top Speed: 174 mph
- Engine: 3.6L Turbocharged Inline-6 (377 HP)
- 0-60 mph: 5.0 seconds
What Makes It Special?
Unlike most Lotus models, the Carlton is a four-door supercar that was once the fastest sedan in the world. It combined British engineering with Lotus tuning, making it an icon in the sports sedan world.
3. Lotus Evora 410 – $105,000
A perfect balance between road comfort and track performance.
Key Details
- Year Released: 2016
- Top Speed: 190 mph
- Engine: 3.5L Supercharged V6 (410 HP)
- 0-60 mph: 3.9 seconds
What Makes It Special?
With a lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber body, the Evora 410 delivers supercar-like performance while remaining practical for daily driving. It’s the ideal dual-purpose sports car.
4. Lotus Exige Cup 430 – $112,000
A race-ready Exige with extreme performance and lightweight engineering.
Key Details
- Year Released: 2017
- Top Speed: 180 mph
- Engine: 3.5L Supercharged V6 (430 HP)
- 0-60 mph: 3.3 seconds
What Makes It Special?
With sharp handling and track-focused aerodynamics, the Exige Cup 430 is built for precision driving. It’s one of the most extreme Lotus cars made, pushing the boundaries of track performance.
5. Lotus 3-Eleven – $130,000
The ultimate track-focused Lotus with a minimalist design and extreme performance.
Key Details
- Year Released: 2016
- Top Speed: 180 mph
- Engine: 3.5L Supercharged V6 (450 HP)
- 0-60 mph: 3.4 seconds
What Makes It Special?
Built for pure speed, the 3-Eleven has no roof, no windshield, and weighs just 2,000 lbs. Its aggressive aerodynamics and raw power make it one of the fastest road-legal Lotus cars ever.
6. Lotus Evora GTE F1 Team Limited Edition – $200,000
A special edition sports car celebrating Lotus’s Formula 1 heritage.
Key Details
- Year Released: 2012
- Top Speed: 190 mph
- Engine: 3.5L V6 (420 HP)
- 0-60 mph: 3.9 seconds
What Makes It Special?
This track-inspired model features an F1-style aerodynamic body, lightweight aluminum construction, and a racing heritage that makes it highly collectible.
7. Lotus Esprit Turbo HC – $200,000
The 1980s supercar icon, recognized for its sleek wedge-shaped design and turbocharged performance.
Key Details
- Year Released: 1987
- Top Speed: 160 mph
- Engine: 2.2L Turbo Inline-4 (215 HP)
- 0-60 mph: 5.4 seconds
What Makes It Special?
Famous for its appearance in James Bond films, the Esprit Turbo HC is a classic example of Lotus’s lightweight performance philosophy, making it a sought-after collector’s car.
8. Lotus Exos Type 125 – $1 Million
This track-only car is as close to a Formula 1 experience as a private owner can get.
Key Details
- Year Released: 2010
- Top Speed: 200 mph
- Engine: 3.5L V8 (650 HP)
- 0-60 mph: 2.8 seconds
What Makes It Special?
Designed for elite drivers, this car comes with a full F1-style carbon fiber monocoque and a semi-automatic paddle-shift transmission, offering an exclusive Formula 1-like experience.
9. Lotus Elise GT1 – $1.25 Million
The Elise GT1 was designed for endurance racing but remains one of the rarest Lotus cars ever made.
Key Details
- Year Released: 1997
- Top Speed: 190 mph
- Engine: 3.5L V8 (500 HP)
- 0-60 mph: 3.5 seconds
What Makes It Special?
Built for the FIA GT1 Championship, this car was made in extremely limited numbers, with only one road-legal version ever produced, making it one of the rarest Lotus cars in history.
10. Lotus Evija – $2.3 Million
The Evija is Lotus’s first all-electric hypercar, redefining performance with cutting-edge aerodynamics and extreme power.
Key Details
- Year Released: 2019
- Top Speed: 200+ mph
- Engine: 4 Electric Motors (2,000 HP)
- 0-60 mph: Under 3 seconds
What Makes It Special?
Only 130 units exist, making it a true collector’s piece. Its active aerodynamics and carbon fiber body give it an F1-inspired design, making it one of the most advanced electric hypercars ever built.
Why Are Lotus Cars So Expensive?
- Limited production makes them rare and collectible
- Lightweight engineering improves speed and handling
- High-performance engines and motorsport technology
- Strong demand among collectors and racing enthusiasts
Comparison Table
| Rank | Model | Price | Year | Horsepower | 0-60 mph | Top Speed | Engine Type |
| 1 | Lotus Evija | $2.3M | 2019 | 2,000 HP | <3 sec | 200+ mph | 4 Electric Motors |
| 2 | Lotus Elise GT1 | $1.25M | 1997 | 500 HP | 3.5 sec | 190 mph | 3.5L V8 |
| 3 | Lotus Exos Type 125 | $1M | 2010 | 650 HP | 2.8 sec | 200 mph | 3.5L V8 |
| 4 | Lotus Esprit Turbo HC | $200K | 1987 | 215 HP | 5.4 sec | 160 mph | 2.2L Turbo Inline-4 |
| 5 | Lotus Evora GTE F1 | $200K | 2012 | 420 HP | 3.9 sec | 190 mph | 3.5L V6 |
| 6 | Lotus 3-Eleven | $130K | 2016 | 450 HP | 3.4 sec | 180 mph | 3.5L Supercharged V6 |
| 7 | Lotus Exige Cup 430 | $112K | 2017 | 430 HP | 3.3 sec | 180 mph | 3.5L Supercharged V6 |
| 8 | Lotus Evora 410 | $105K | 2016 | 410 HP | 3.9 sec | 190 mph | 3.5L V6 |
| 9 | Lotus Carlton | $100K | 1990 | 377 HP | 5.0 sec | 174 mph | 3.6L Turbo Inline-6 |
| 10 | Lotus Elise S Cup R | $90K | 2014 | 217 HP | 4.1 sec | 145 mph | 1.8L Supercharged Inline-4 |
FAQs:
1. What is the most expensive Lotus car?
The Lotus Evija is the most expensive Lotus, priced at $2.3 million.
2. Why are Lotus cars so expensive?
Lotus cars are expensive due to limited production, advanced lightweight engineering, and high-performance technology. Their track-focused design and exclusivity make them highly sought after.
3. What is the rarest Lotus car?
The Lotus Elise GT1 is the rarest, with only one road-going version ever built.
4. Which Lotus is the fastest?
The Lotus Evija holds the title, reaching a top speed of over 200 mph.
5. Can you still buy these Lotus models?
Some models are available in the used market, while others remain limited collector’s editions and rarely go on sale.
Conclusion:
Since its inception Lotus manufactured some of the world’s sought-after sports cars which incorporate high-performance dynamics with light-weight construction elements. All rare and expensive models produced by Lotus display both the brand’s technical leadership and engineering brilliance through their existence in the market. Drop a comment below!
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