Among British carmakers, Rolls-Royce may be luxury and Aston Martin has style, but Lotus has always been about speed. Indeed, some of their best offerings are so fantastic in their engines that several models (like the Elise) are banned in the U.S.
It can be tricky getting some road-legal Lotus models even in Europe, as Lotus does spend most of its time developing track cars or models intended just for certain markets. However, the company still produced some terrific street cars with luxurious interiors and powerful engines. What’s interesting is that some cars may not boast the fastest zero-to-60 times, but once they cut loose on the road, they can leave some competitor supercars in the dust. These ten fastest street-legal Lotus models put on the road show that the brand doesn't need hypercars to command the attention of drivers.
10 2009 Lotus Evora V6: 160 MPH
Making headlines as the first all-new Lotus in 15 years, the 2009 Evora set a new bar the company is still measuring up to. For a road-legal car, it boasted great specs, with the 3.5-liter V6 engine producing up to 257 hp, and in a frame just cracking a ton meant it handled great on the road.
Its zero-to-60 of 4.9 seconds may not have been as spiffy as others, but considering its upscale looks, that means a sleek and quick ride. Even as other versions have come out, this Evora was a groundbreaker for Lotus and still one of the brand's best models ever.
9 1996 Lotus Esprit 2.0 Turbo GT3: 163 MPH
Often ignored even by Lotus fans, the early '90s Esprit has its charms. Sure, the wedge-shaped front may throw some off and the 2.2-liter four-cylinder kept it away from the public eye, but the model handled well on the road. The special Turbo GT3 model offered a more striking turbocharged 2.0-liter good for 240 hp and 216 lb-feet of torque.
That was linked to the nice wedge shape, and it felt much faster than it seemed. Slinking under the radar, it’s a good buy today for some terrific driving in ‘90s style.
8 Lotus Esprit S4 V8 Turbo: 175 MPH
As noted, a regular early-'90s Esprit works well as a weekend sports car. But there’s another version that upgrades the engine to match the striking looks. The best version is the rare but extraordinary 3.5-liter twin-turbo V8 capable of 500 hp and zero to 60 in 4.4 seconds.
That was a great push for the model, even as it began giving way to the GT1. Legal in the U.S. at last, this version of the S4 is an underrated but excellent speedy Lotus that stands out with its unique design. It also proves how an “older” car can easily leave some modern sports cars in the dust.
7 Lotus Carlton 3.6 Turbo: 175 MPH
Amazing as it sounds, a car from the early '90s still ranks among Lotus’ fastest efforts. There was a bit of controversy when the Carlton debuted in 1990 as cars in the U.K. were starting to limit speeds, yet the Carlton boasted a 3.6-liter inline-six capable of 377 hp and a top speed close to 180 with tinkering.
It was such a favorite target of car thieves that there was a brief attempt to ban the Carlton. Yet it still holds up amazingly well when it comes to performance. It may not be the prettiest Lotus, but it's still one of the fastest in the company’s history.
6 Esprit Sport 300: 180 MPH
Another early '90s variation of the Esprit that’s now street-legal, the Sport 300 lived up to its name with a spiffier engine, an inline-four capable of 300 hp, and a zero-to-60 of 4.7 seconds. Like other Lotus cars, that seemingly slow acceleration time actually hides a fantastic speed when it gets going.
Sadly, only 64 were made, and finding one used won't be easy or cheap as these cars represent the perfect alternative to a cool '90s Ferrari or Lamborghini.
5 Exige Cup 430: 180 MPH
It’s amazing a car this advanced can be street-legal, but that’s true for the Exige Cup 430. The stylized body kit not only gives it a nice flair, but the aerodynamic design lets it race faster on the road. It’s actually a tad quicker than the Lotus 3-Eleven but held back by being a bit slower in the top speed of 180 mph.
However, the style lets it stand out, looking like a supercar with the 3.5-liter V6 engine featuring an Edelbrock supercharger creating 430 hp. Whether on a pure racetrack or a road, this Lotus can win any cup race.
4 3-Eleven 430: 180 MPH
Reaching 60 mph in just a hair over 3 seconds, the Lotus 3-Eleven is the quickest street-legal model from the company in terms of acceleration. It does have two options: a top racer and the street version with a revised supercharged V6 capable of 450 hp.
It’s aided by its featherlight body weighing under a ton, so it feels much faster than it is, but it still has a great top speed of 180 mph. The road-legal version also feels a little different than the race version. The racer can get to 60 in 2.9 seconds, yet the legal 3-Eleven ranks as Lotus’ fastest street cars and still one of the best rides the company has put out.
3 Evora GT: 188 MPH
Lotus is interesting in some models having slower acceleration speeds, but once they get going, they are astounding. The Evora GT is a great example, boasting a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds alongside one of the highest top speeds of any Lotus model to date.
The mid-mounted, supercharged 3.5-liter V6 makes 416 horsepower and up to 332 lb-ft of torque. The exterior is sleek and shows Lotus’ unique style along with excellent handling. It’s also pretty reliable, so not only is this one of the fastest legal Lotus cars, but it's also a great car off the track.
2 Evora GT430 Sport: 196 MPH
While it may seem on the slow side in terms of the zero-to-60 speed, the Evora GT430 Sport does provide an incredibly high top speed. The supercharged 3.5-liter V6 generates 424 hp and enables the car to reach a top speed of 196 mph. A little tuning could boost the top speed to over 200 mph, and it also handles well.
That huge wing at the back isn’t just for show; it also aids the airflow, so once this baby hits 60, it truly opens up.
1 Elise GT1: 198 MPH
This is a bit complicated as technically, it's not road-legal in the U.S. because it's right-hand drive. There's also how this wasn't mass-produced, as only two models were made, and it's up in the air where either is.
Yet they exist, so yes, there's a road-legal version of this monster with a wider and longer body alongside the water-cooled 3.5-liter turbocharged V8 engine with a power output of 542 hp. Thus, while a rare beast, this does rank as the fastest Lotus ever made...even if it's hard to find.