Lotus: Cars 1952 to 2024 & Esprit 2 Book Set

This compact and richly illustrated book is part of the popular A Pictorial History series and charts the full journey of Lotus road cars from 1952 through to 2024. Enthusiasts, collectors, and motorsport fans will discover a chronicle of innovation, style, and pure driving excitement that only Lotus can deliver.

From the lightweight brilliance of the Lotus Seven to the exotic Esprit and modern Evora, each model is examined with rare and previously unpublished photographs, capturing the elegance and engineering genius of the marque. Author Matthew Vale — a recognized expert on Lotus — brings his extensive knowledge and passion to this sixth Lotus title, offering clear insight into the brand’s heritage and technical evolution.

The book also explores how Lotus’ racing pedigree shaped its road cars, resulting in vehicles that deliver exceptional handling and performance.

Whether you're a seasoned Lotus devotee or new to the marque, this compact visual history is a must-have addition to your automotive library.

• A definitive visual guide to every Lotus road car from 1952 to 2024
• Over 200 rare and never-before-published images in one collectible volume
• Written by Matthew Vale — respected author of six books on Lotus and 20+ automotive titles

Table of Contents:

1. Chapter 1 Introduction
2. Chapter 2 Lotus VI
3. Chapter 3 Lotus Elite
4. Chapter 4 Lotus Seven
5. Chapter 5 Lotus Elan
6. Chapter 6 Lotus Elan Plus 2
7. Chapter 7 Lotus Elite and Eclat
8. Chapter 8 Lotus Esprit
9. Chapter 9 Lotus Excel
10. Chapter 10 Lotus Elan M100
11. Chapter 11 Lotus Elise
12. Chapter 12 Lotus Exige
13. Chapter 12 Lotus Evora

As Lotus's flagship model for almost three decades, the Esprit was launched in 1976 and remained in production for over a quarter of a century. It received regular refreshment along the way, principally to its original Giorgetto Giugiaro design and, from 1987, to its later Peter Stevens incarnation. Both iterations enabled the Esprit to maintain its position at the forefront of its market segment. Regularly compared to the best available from its German and Italian rivals, the Esprit was equally at home on the race track as it was on the road. A promising return to top-line international GT racing saw the Esprit compete on equal terms with the likes of Ferrari and McLaren, whilst, back in the showrooms, the car was selling for a fraction of their cost. The legacy of the Esprit can clearly be seen in current Lotus models whose core design brief is that they should always be the finest handling vehicle with the deftest of steering, feedback and feel. With over 300 stunning images, including professional photos, factory archive pictures and specially commissioned artworks, and featuring several interviews with Lotus personnel intimately concerned with Esprit production, this volume is a fitting tribute to a masterpiece of design and technology.