The first mid-engine Lotus road car. Colin Chapman's application of racing technology to an affordable sports car. At 610 kg, it was devastatingly quick despite modest power. The backbone chassis and fiberglass body became Lotus's standard construction method.
History
Colin Chapman designed the Europa to bring mid-engine layout technology from Lotus's Formula 1 cars to the road. Ron Hickman styled the distinctive body with its flying-buttress rear quarters and integrated rear window.
The backbone chassis was a steel Y-frame with the engine and gearbox bolted to the rear. The fiberglass body was bonded to the chassis, making it a structural element. Total weight was just 610 kg.
Early Series 1 Europas used a Renault 1.5-liter engine producing 78 PS. The definitive Twin Cam version used a Ford-based Lotus Twin Cam engine producing 126 PS. In a car weighing 610 kg, this gave performance that embarrassed cars with twice the power.
9,230 Europas were built. The car proved that Chapman's lightweight philosophy worked in a mid-engine package and paved the way for the Esprit.
Values range from GBP 25,000 to GBP 60,000.
Production & Heritage
Value estimates are editorial assessments based on recent auction results and market trends.
Technical Specifications
Engine Details
Performance
Tags
Designed by Ron Hickman
