The Cortina was introduced in 1962 and soon became a best seller and subsequently maintained this status for 20 years. Although it was conventional in its engineering, it offered the public exactly the car it needed. Sports versions including various Lotus tuned versions enhanced its status and helped it become competitive in motorsports. From 1970 the Cortina was sold in mainland Europe as the Taunus, with different styling traits that became less unique after each successive generation.