Lotus 3-Eleven Revealed as Quickest, Most Expensive Lotus Ever
Revealed today at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Lotus 3-Eleven takes the brand’s philosophy of performance through light weight to a new level.
Weighing less than 2,000 lbs and making 450-hp horsepower from a supercharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, the 3-Eleven promises to be, “an uncompromised manifestation of the Lotus spirit.”
To be offered in both road and race trims, Lotus says it will be the quickest Lotus ever, with a 0-60 mph time of less than 3.0 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph (road version).
Full power comes on at 7000 rpm with max torque of 332 lb-ft available from 3500 rpm to 6500 rpm.
Both Road and Race versions will be available, with the street car making use of a 6-speed manual transmission while the track model will come with a 6-speed sequential transmission using paddle shifters.
Race models will also get a more aggressive aero kit and meet FIA specs with a racing seat and six-point harness.
Based on a new aluminum chassis, the 3-Elevent makes use of a lightweight composite body with an open top design.
Power makes it to the ground using 225/40 ZR18 front and 275/35 ZR19 rear Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. Race versionw ill make use of Michelin Cup 2 tires.
“This new car is a giant slayer, capable of embarrassing far more expensive rivals,” said Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales speaking at the car’s unveiling. “It condenses our engineering know-how into one, hard-core package, and is so focused that it won’t suit everyone. This is a perfect demonstration of the faster and lighter concept, something which will be crucial to all Lotus cars in the future.”
Just 311 examples of the 3-Eleven will be made with production beginning in February of 2016 and deliveries in April.
U.S. pricing has not been announced, not has Lotus confirmed if the car will be sold in North America. Pricing in the UK is set at £82,000 for the Road version and £115,200 for the Race version.
Discuss this story at our Lotus forum
With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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I'll take one of these with an Alfa Romeo on the side. I wonder if they will use the Lotus in a James Bond in the near future
...I think we are forgetting that Lotus sold a T125 which should be lighter, quicker, and more expensive