Lotus has Created Something Extreme...ly Special

Colin Chapman would be proud because of what Lotus has just unveiled: the 3-Eleven. Think of it as “Simplify, then add lightness” taken to the extreme with no roof or windscreen all for speed and lightness.

The car will be sold in a track-only “Race” version and a street legal “Road” version, both powered by the supercharged 3.5L Toyota V6 found in the Evora and Exige but updated to 456hp. The “Race” will use a six-speed sequential gearbox and the “Road” a six-speed manual. While the Race has a claimed zero- to-60 time of 3 seconds, the Road has a top speed of 180 mph, 6 mph more than the Race.

Both will be made from a composite material claimed to be 40 percent lighter than conventional fiberglass, resulting in both weighing less than 2000 pounds. The Race will have an aerodynamics package with a claimed 474 pounds of downforce at 150 mph while the Road can be equipped with an optional passenger seat. Unfortunately, the 311 monsters to be built will be quite costly with the Road at around £82,000 ($128,000) and the Race a hefty £115,200 ($181,000) but we’re happy that Lotus will make them.