This is the fastest, most expensive series production car ever to come out of Hethel. It's the sensational Lotus 3-Eleven, a successor to the 2-Eleven of 2007-2011, and it looks bloody superb. Like everything this week, it was unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed over in the UK.
Exterior
Hand-made at Hethel, the 3-Eleven has a super light body made of composite materials, Lotus claiming it is 40 per cent lighter than it would be if it were made of GRP. And while it is designed to look good, form follows function, as the 3-Eleven has a minimised cross-sectional area that keeps aerodynamic drag to a minimum while also allowing for optimum cooling. The front clamshell, for instance, has large openings to channel air to the engine and gearbox.
There are two versions of the 3-Eleven, the Road and the Race. The latter, of course, speaks for itself and features a more aggressive aero kit, a sequential gearbox and an FIA-approved driver's seat with a six-point harness. It also means there are two front splitter and two rear spoiler configurations; depending on which 3-Eleven you've bought. The roll bar fully encloses the rear cage and it not only generates downforce, it's a vital part for the car to meet homologation standards for motorsport. The Race version tips the scales at less than 900kg, meaning it has well in excess of 500hp-per-tonne, and in this spec it is not for the faint-hearted: there's no windscreen and no doors.
Interior
Track-focused in here, so please don't be expecting Bluetooth connectivity and full climate control. If you want it as a Road model, an aeroscreen and optional passenger seat means you can scare the life out of at least one poor soul, although both can be removed and replaced with the tonneau panel, which encloses the driver and improves aerodynamics. The 3-Eleven has a colour TFT instrument cluster, which can be switched between road and track modes, while a quick-release steering wheel and Lotus sports seats with four-point harnesses are standard kit. As mentioned, the Race gets a six-point harness and race seat, as well as a data logger system, fire extinguisher and battery kill switch.
Mechanicals
In order for it to lap Hethel's test track in a searing 1:22s, the 3-Eleven uses an uprated version of the 3.5-litre V6 first seen in the Evora 400. Mid-mounted, it is supercharged and fitted with a water-to-air chargecooler, with peak power standing at a giddy 456hp at 7,000rpm. Torque is 450Nm from 3,500- to 6,500rpm. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox with a performance clutch, oil cooler and a Torsen limited-slip differential, while the Race gets the sequential 'box, a semi-dry sump and a paddle shift.
The Lotus uses Eibach springs with Öhlins adjustable dampers, an adjustable front anti-roll bar and 215kg of downforce at 240km/h (Race version). It has lightweight forged aluminium wheels with either Michelin Pilot Super Sport (Road) or Cup 2 tyres (Race), which are 225/40 ZR18 front and 275/35 ZR19 rear. Stopping power is provided by AP Racing four-pot calipers and 332mm vented brake discs front and rear. The pads are uprated for the Race model.
So, how quick is it when it's not tearing up Hethel? Try 0-100km/h in around 3.0 seconds and a top speed of either 280km/h (Race) or 290km/h (Road). Wow!
Anything else?
Speaking at Goodwood, Jean-Marc Gales, CEO for Group Lotus plc, said: "This new car is a giant slayer, capable of embarrassing far more expensive rivals. 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."
The Lotus 3-Eleven will enter production in February 2016 and deliveries will commence in April 2016. Guess how many will be made? That's right, a limited run of... 311. Pricing for Ireland is not confirmed yet but over the water in the UK, the Road starts at £82,000 and the Race at either £96,000 or £115,200 (depending on whether VAT is included).