Lotus is synonymous with motorsport, stemming from Colin Chapman’s desire to race. Many motorsport icons have represented the famous marque, and its Formula One endeavours have bred some of the biggest names within the sport. Senna, Hill, Fittipaldi, Andretti; the list can go on. However, the only driver to win multiple F1 Drivers’ Championships with Team Lotus was Jim Clark. It’s only right, then, that his record-breaking 1965 season is honoured 60 years later with the Lotus Emira Clark Edition.
Celebrating Unprecedented Success
‘Legend’ is an overused term in the motorsport world, but it’s hard to deny Jim Clark of that status. Twice a winner of the premier motorsport championship, the Scotsman’s achievements in 1965 are the focus of the limited-edition Lotus.
Firstly, he fought a fierce battle with BRM’s Graham Hill in Formula One and came out victorious. He added a victory at the notoriously difficult Indianapolis 500 to that title, but wasn’t yet finished. Clark also took race wins in Formula 2 and Tasman Series Down Under, while touring car race victories proved he was far from a one-trick pony.
In collaboration with the Jim Clark Trust, Lotus has launched this exclusive Emira 60 years after what it calls ‘the greatest season of successes by any racing driver’. As a nod to this, just 60 examples will be produced.
More Than Just a Name
Sometimes, manufacturers are tempted to give a car a special paint job, jack up the price, and call it a day. However, the Lotus Emira Clark Edition has plenty of bespoke touches throughout, nodding to the company’s connection with the racer. Inspired by the Indy 500-winning Type 38, it’s finished in Clark Racing Green and complemented by a contrasting black roof, silver mirrors and the exuberant yellow racing stripe.
Furthermore, there’s a special aluminium fuel filler cap, yellow exhaust pipes and a hand-painted yellow pinstripe following the curve above the rear air intake. Clark Edition branding, akin to the logo used on his cars, features on the doors, while carbon fibre tread plates bear the badge again in addition to the number of the car.
Inside, the use of red leather is a reference to the interiors of the cars Clark raced in 1965. Emphasising the driver-focused nature of the special Emira, only the driver’s seat is finished in the vivid colour. The passenger seat is instead wrapped in black leather, but both also feature Alcantara upholstery.
The Clark Edition also features an old-school wooden gear knob and badging featuring Clark’s personalised tartan from Lochcarron, Scotland. Meanwhile, his signature features on the dashboard and Team Lotus detailing can be found on the seats. Additionally, all 60 buyers will receive a bespoke hand-crafted leather holdall.
It’s Based on a Pretty Good Car
It’s only right that a legendary racer is honoured by the closest thing Lotus makes to a retro racer: the Emira V6. Recently upgraded, it features a mid-mounted 400hp supercharged 3.5-litre V6 paired with a six-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip diff.
The Clark Edition includes the Lotus Driver’s Pack, which is curiously standard on the four-pot Turbo SE but not the dearer V6, and this includes sports suspension, Track Mode and a revised exhaust sound.
The privilege of buying one of the 60 Lotus Emira Clark Editions will set you back £115,000, £22.5k more than the standard V6 model.
