Lotus releases more details on hardcore 3-Eleven

We’ve already seen it, but Lotus has just announced official production news on the 3-Eleven lightweight sports-nutjob, and we’re pleased to announce that it really is as feral as it looks.

Powered by a supercharged 3.5-litre V6, try these official numbers on for size for the “Race” version: 890kg, 460bhp, 517bhp/tonne, 0-60mph in 2.9, max speed of 180. The road going variant isn’t much slower though, that’s ‘only’ 925kg/410bhp and can hit 60mph in 3.3 before topping out at 174.

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus said: “I know that anyone who is fortunate enough to drive a 3-Eleven will be blown away by the performance that only adding lightness and power can give. However, to say that this car is the fastest road car that Lotus has ever produced only tells half the story. There are few cars on the market that can match the 3-Eleven, in looks, speed or lap times - it will reward those that are prepared to take the reins of the highest performing Lotus road car ever.”

He’s not kidding. Lotus knows a thing or two about car setup, so the 3-Eleven should deliver. There’s a carbon tonneau cover that all but turns it into a single seater (for either version), and the splitters and spoilers produce 150kg of downforce at 150mph on the Road car, with the Race version getting an adjustable rear wing and front canards to make 215kg at the same speed.

The main differences between the two are suspension set up and gearbox - Race gets a competition spec Xtrac 6-speed sequential transmission with a semi-dry sump, oil cooler, limited slip diff and paddle shift and Ohlins adjustables. Road gets a more convenient close-ratio manual with a Torsen diff, and the Ohlins are a cost-option. That ‘box should be a lot more gentle than the sequential for road use, though. And it also looks awesome with its exposed shift.

Other toys? GPS logging for serious track work, FIA race spec safety and bits for the Race variant and talk of a possible sub-7 minute time for the Nurburgring. Which is… acceptable.

Prices start at £82,500 (including VAT and road going taxes for the Road version) and £97,083 excluding VAT for the Race (£116,500 including VAT). Only 311 will be produced worldwide in total, with deliveries starting in March.