Lotus Europa | Spotted
The Europa struggled for success as a brand-new prospect - what about a second-hand one?
In theory, the Lotus Europa should have been brilliant: combine the visceral thrills of an Elise with a dose of extra usability, and there's the blueprint for a great everyday sports car. But, as we know, it didn't quite work out that way. What ought to have been something like the Alpine A110 many, many years beforehand ended up being a slightly awkward compromise. It retained a lot of the hassle that came with driving a car derived from Elise architecture, while numbing the dynamic experience with additional weight. In a vehicle arguably less attractive than an Elise. That was more expensive. The result was that just 450 Europas were made in total, and the Elise continues to this day. Because buyers that want a sports car like an Elise just buy an Elise; not a Europa, not a VX220 - not anything else, really.
Still, time can sometimes be kind, and there's potentially a lot more going for the Europa as a second-hand sports car a decade after production ended. The first attribute is that incredible rarity: it's believed that only around 100 cars exist in the UK, which is a tiny number against contemporary Elises, and even when put against the amount of original Europas that still survive. As a used buy, don't underestimate the appeal of having the Lotus that nobody else does, and also the benefit that scarcity has on residuals.
In addition, 'not quite as good to drive as an Elise' still means it's going to be brilliant, particularly with the past decade having made the vast majority of cars less driver focussed. Turbocharged torque provides the in-gear performance that naturally-aspirated alternatives won't be able to match, the steering will be lovely, the ride/handling compromise as perfectly judged as we've come to expect. And there's now nearly 15 years of specialist experience with these cars, meaning all manner of tweaks and upgrades will be available if it doesn't hit the spot as is.
Having a roof, air-con and leather, even in the confines of an Elise-based interior, should make the prospect of driving a Europa long distances - for road trips, driving holidays, a distant track day or so on - more appealing than something truly stripped out. We all make allowances for second-hand cars that we wouldn't when new, so perhaps now is the Europa's time to shine: no longer the less thrilling Elise, but instead the more accommodating one.
This particular car shows the Europa at its best. The spec is subtle and restrained where Elises are typically more lairy, the mileage is minimal (it's covered just 50,000 miles in 14 years), and there are sensible modifications to help re-inject some of the character said to be lost. Not only has the 2.0-litre turbo been upgraded to Europa S spec with 225hp, there's also a Milltek exhaust to give that old GM lump some voice, too.
That's in addition to a recent cambelt change, the common sump pan and oil line issues addressed and a full service history either with Lotus or known specialists. That this car is owned by the selling dealer's father has to be an encouraging sign, too. And it could be argued the shape is ageing better than expected?
That's up for debate; arguably less contentious is the belief that this looks like a lot of modern classic Lotus sports car for £20k. You'll search in vain for an Exige at the same money, and a comparable supercharged Elise is a chunk more expensive. More could even be spent on a VX220 than this Lotus. Sure, something like a Cayman will have a more emotive powertrain, but there's going to be no escaping the additional weight. And that's before considering how common they are.
While it's never going to garner Elise-like levels of popularity, then, it seems the Europa has been unfairly discarded in the Hethel sports car hierarchy. This one looks like the perfect opportunity to see what everyone else has been (foolishly, surely) passing up on.
SPECIFICATION - LOTUS EUROPA
Engine: 1,998cc four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 200@5,400rpm (standard car)
Torque (lb ft): 200@5,000rpm (standard car)
MPG: 30.7
CO2: 220g/km
Recorded mileage: 53,000
First registered: 2006
Price new: £32,995
Yours for: £20,995
I really loved this car. I also bought it in the middle of the economic downturn for 17k and 2 years later sold it for 23k!! I personally loved it’s looks. It’s also super rare and gets plenty of attention and questions.
I don’t think that the person writing this article has ever driven one though. I know the original marketing way back in the day promoted these as a usable Elise / vx220 but there was no truth to this.
A slightly larger boot was the only measurable difference. The seats are the same. The interior was the same as an Elise. The ride was the same as an Elise as far as I could tell. The engine was the same as the vx220 turbo.
I took it to lemans and it was 100 percent not relaxing or comfortable. For me any suggestion these are somehow more practical than an Elise / vx220 as an everyday car is just someone at marketing looking for a USP.
I've been around various Lotus clubs for nigh-on 20 years and seen literally hundreds if not a thousand Elises and Exiges of all varieties.... but I've probably only seen less than a dozen Europas over the years, maybe even single digits, and they always catch my eye. I think they're ageing really well. Smart money at £20k. That's not going to lose much.
I seriously considered one when I decided to dip my toe into the modern Lotus world after years with classic Loti because they fit between the Elise and the Evora in terms being a weekend car which could also be used an occasional work/mid week conveyance. But I simply could not find one! (a consequence of one of the other attractions, that being rarity).
I bought an Evora which is nice but I am left with the nagging feeling each time I drive it that, whilst hugely more capable, it's less fun than the Elan Plus 2 I came off and I think a Europa may just have been on the right side of impractical but not too far as to disuade me from using it.
I think these will continue to go up in value.
If a car this rare had been built by a sports car manufacturer with buoyant sales today it would be worth a small fortune. Its curious how the market behaves.
A nice buy for the right buyer at a very attainable price.
Personally I can't understand why anyone would buy one of these over a VX220 Turbo, the higher price just isn't justified in any way at all. Plus it's dog ugly!
Personally I can't understand why anyone would buy one of these over a VX220 Turbo, the higher price just isn't justified in any way at all. Plus it's dog ugly!
..everything's subjective I guess, oh and it's a Lotus!
The prices have been stable for years, they seem to not get any lower. They do seem to be more appreciated afterwards than they where when they where new. I really wanted to buy one since i think it looks better than the VX, has a nice enough interior and AC. But it was a bit tough to justify almost twice the price of a VXT (back then at least, they are closer now).
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