Lotus is also a British performance automobile manufacturer of some fame and reputation. They have in their time produced several famous movie or television vehicles, including the
Lotus Super Seven KAR-120C, seen in every episode of the BBC show
The Prisoner, and the
Lotus Esprit driven by
Agent 007 in the films of
The Spy Who Loved Me and, briefly, in
For Your Eyes Only.
The Lotus Group of Companies, which includes Lotus Cars as well as Lotus Engineering and other ventures connected with racing and automotive engineering, is based in Hethel, in Norfolk, England. Proton Automakers of Malaysia holds an 80% stake in the Lotus Group.
Currently, Lotus produces the twin-turbo V8 Esprit, variants of the extremely lightweight Elise, and professional sports (race) cars and engines. It also is engaged in joint engineering and research projects with companies around the world.
One day, I will own a Lotus Esprit V8 Twin Turbo. 360 BHP, and more important, oh-so-sleek looking. This is an attainable dream, too; the only thing in the world that depreciates faster than a Jaguar automobile is a Lotus! They *are* British Cars, after all. Time to save some pennies...