In the late 1990s, a deal was made between General Motors—parent company to Vauxhall Motors and Opel, serving UK and European markets, respectively—and Lotus Cars. For the forthcoming 2000 model year, Lotus were required to make major revisions to the company’s original Elise platform due to changes in European crash safety regulations. In order to fund the revisions made to the new “Series 2” Elise, the Norfolk-based marque secured investment from General Motors. As part of the agreement, Lotus agreed to produce a car for General Motors. Badged as the Vauxhall VX220 in the United Kingdom and Opel Speedster in Europe, this model was revealed to the automotive media at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show.

Launching with a naturally aspirated 2.2-litre engine built by General Motors that was rated at 145 brake horsepower, a more potent version followed in the form of the turbocharged 2.0-litre powertrain, increasing power output to 197 brake horsepower. Both engines delivered power to the wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. The car was designed to be lightweight to maintain a performance edge. With an aluminium frame with bodywork panels made of fibreglass, it tipped the scales at around 875 kilograms. The interior was also pared back to save weight—showing large sections of exposed stainless steel—occupants of the VX220 and Speedster did not go without creature comforts such as leather seats and a radio.

This example, finished in red over a black leather interior with a black “targa”-style canvas top, benefits from the more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged engine. It is badged as a Vauxhall and was built in UK-market right-hand drive specification. The incumbent owner of this VX220 displayed the car at the Cayman Motor Museum in West Bay, Cayman Islands, alongside many other collectable and rare automobiles from around the world.