By the Car Subscriptions Editorial Team · Updated 8 October 2026
- Founded
- 1952
- Headquarters
- Hethel, Norfolk, UK
- Part of
- Geely Holding Group
About Lotus
Lotus was founded by engineer Colin Chapman, who built his first car in a lock-up garage in north London in 1948 and formally established Lotus Engineering in 1952. Chapman's philosophy of light weight and agile handling shaped road cars such as the Elan, Esprit and Elise, and the brand achieved great success in Formula One from the 1960s to the 1980s. Lotus founder Colin Chapman also became famous for innovations in Formula One, including ground-effect aerodynamics.
Lotus moved to its current home at Hethel in Norfolk in 1966. After several changes of ownership, including periods under General Motors and Proton, it became majority-owned by China's Geely in 2017, which brought significant investment. The Emira sports car, built at Hethel, is the brand's last petrol-engined model, while the Eletre SUV and Emeya four-door GT are fully electric. The limited-production Evija is an electric hypercar. Lotus has also expanded its engineering consultancy business, which works for other car makers.
Lotus on a car subscription
A Lotus subscription suits enthusiasts who want a focused sports car or a high-performance electric SUV for a period without the commitment of buying. Lotus models are usually offered through prestige and specialist providers rather than mainstream services. Expect careful insurance checks, a minimum age and driving experience requirement, a higher deposit and tight mileage limits. For the Eletre and Emeya, also check real-world range and access to rapid charging.
Popular Lotus models
- Emira
- Eletre
- Emeya
Electric Lotus models
- ⚡ Eletre
- ⚡ Emeya
- ⚡ Evija
Model availability on subscription changes often. Lotus and its logo are trademarks of their owner; we are not affiliated with Lotus.
Lotus subscriptions: FAQs
Can I get a Lotus on a car subscription in the UK?
It is possible through some prestige and specialist subscription or short-lease providers, though choice is limited. Availability changes, so check with providers directly.
Are Lotus cars electric?
The Eletre SUV and Emeya GT are fully electric, as is the limited-run Evija hypercar. The Emira sports car uses petrol engines.
What do I need to subscribe to a Lotus?
Providers usually set a minimum driver age, require a clean licence and may ask for a larger deposit. The insurance excess is likely to be higher than for an everyday car.