Lotus Cars is a British manufacturer of sports and racing cars based at the former site of RAF Hethel, a World War II airfield in Norfolk. The company was formed as Lotus Engineering Ltd by engineer Colin Chapman, a graduate of University College, London, in 1952. The company designs and builds race and production automobiles of light weight and fine handling characteristics. Founded in Britain, Lotus is very much a specialty outfit, with output limited to high-performance racecars and sports cars known for their sleek and lightweight designs. The first Lotus was built in 1948, and used by Chapman to compete in races. By 1955, Chapman had officially formed Lotus Cars Ltd. The current Lotus model are Lotus Elise, Lotus Exige, Lotus Exige S, Lotus Evora, Lotus 2-Eleven.