Lotus says its new “Focus 2030” plan marks a fresh start for the iconic British sports car brand, but after years of chasing EV luxury trends, has the company finally remembered what Lotus is really all about?

There was a time when hearing the word “Lotus” instantly conjured up images of lightweight sports cars dancing down B-roads with the delicacy of a hummingbird. Tiny steering wheels writhing in your hands. Barely-there kerb weights. Fibreglass bodies. A driving experience so pure and alive that you could forgive the occasional electrical tantrum, water leak, or trim piece that decided it no longer wished to participate in the journey – because the journey itself was epic (and that’s just to the shops!).