The new Lotus 3-Eleven 430 has retaken the title as Lotus’ quickest street-legal sports car – a fitting send-off for the company’s legendary road racer.
The most extreme machine presently made by the British marque, the new 3-Eleven 430 is the fastest Lotus road car to hit the challenging Hethel circuit; with a lap time of 1 minute 24 seconds, the new pocket rocket was 0.8 seconds quicker than the second place Exige Cup 430, and two seconds quicker than the previous 3-Eleven.
READ: How to Buy Your Own Formula One Car
Of course, Lotus’ engineers expected nothing less from the 3-Eleven, with its supercharged and charge-cooled 3.5-litre V6 engine, upgraded and specifically re-optimised for the new model, producing 430 hp and propelling the supercar from 0-100km/hr in an astonishing 3.1 seconds to reach a top speed of 290 km/hr.
Designed to provide enthusiast drivers with the purest and most direct driving experience possible, the 3-Eleven employs a lightweight carbon-composite body and a bespoke extruded and bonded aluminium chassis. Sculpted part-exposed carbon side panels and striking carbon interior panels all contribute to the exceptional performance.
With an increased performance envelope, the Lotus 3-Eleven 430 has also evolved its aero accordingly. Already noted for its high levels of downforce, the carefully optimized design integrates a higher mounted straight-cut rear wing (50 mm higher than the previous model) with re-profiled end plates, a long front splitter and lip spoiler, and a flat floor with rear diffuser to increase downforce by 44 kg to 265 kg at maximum speed.
READ: Your New Urban Hideaway in the Heart of Bangkok
The 3-Eleven 430’s unashamedly aggressive styling, lightweight design and hypercar-humbling performance sets new standards for speed and agility and joins the ranks of Lotus’ ‘Eleven’ models, each of which was designed to bridge the gap between road and track in the most direct way possible.
As a result, these open-cockpit specials have become some of the brand’s most collectible; the Lotus 3-Eleven 430 is limited to just 20 production road cars and is priced at US$143,000.
For more Auto inspiration click here.