Having launched the 2015 Lotus Elise S Cup 
in 2014 and the 2016 Lotus Evora 400 in 2015, Lotus is slowly but surely heading toward stability under the guidance of Jean-Marc Gales. The Frenchman joined the company in May 2014, when the Brits were struggling to stay afloat with net losses at more than $250 million at the end of 2013. Now that the British brand is somewhat stable, Gales reportedly wants three new vehicles in dealerships, including an Evora Roadster, an SUV, 
and a successor to the 2-Eleven. And the latter was just introduced at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
in 2014 and the 2016 Lotus Evora 400 in 2015, Lotus is slowly but surely heading toward stability under the guidance of Jean-Marc Gales. The Frenchman joined the company in May 2014, when the Brits were struggling to stay afloat with net losses at more than $250 million at the end of 2013. Now that the British brand is somewhat stable, Gales reportedly wants three new vehicles in dealerships, including an Evora Roadster, an SUV, and a successor to the 2-Eleven. And the latter was just introduced at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Dubbed 3-Eleven, the new sports car follows in the footsteps of its predecessor in just about every respect. It sports the barchetta-style design and features a comprehensive aerodynamic kit that includes all the goodies usually seen on a hardcore track car, including a large front splitter and rear wing, as well as a race-spec diffuser.
follows in the footsteps of its predecessor in just about every respect. It sports the barchetta-style design and features a comprehensive aerodynamic kit that includes all the goodies usually seen on a hardcore track car, including a large front splitter and rear wing, as well as a race-spec diffuser.
What sets the 3-Eleven apart from its ancestor besides the updated styling is the significantly more powerful engine and the fact that it comes in two versions. The Brits will built models for both the road and the track. Both will feature the same powerplant, but the racing variant will feature improved aerodynamics to help it go faster around the track. Lotus also aims to lap the Nurburgring in only 7:09 with the 3-Eleven, which would make it the fifth quickest production car on the "Green Hell."
variant will feature improved aerodynamics to help it go faster around the track. Lotus also aims to lap the Nurburgring in only 7:09 with the 3-Eleven, which would make it the fifth quickest production car on the "Green Hell."
Updated 09/09/2015: Lotus announced that the new 3-Eleven just finished a two-week test session at the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit, in which over 1,200 miles were covered. During the test sessions, the 3-Eleven achieved one of the fastest ever lap times around the Nürburgring: 7 minutes and 6 seconds — which is even better than the company predicted. The time however, was obtained combining the quickest sector times achieved during the fastest 2 laps on the “Sport Auto” magazine lap configuration.
SOURCE:TOPSPEED
Rendering
Note: Image above is a (pretty good) rendering.
Exterior
Much like the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven before it, the 3-Eleven is based on the lightest and smallest sports car in Lotus’ current lineup. In this case, it’s the 2012-2015 Lotus Exige S.The front fascia is the most recognizable feature coming from the Exige. The bumper intakes are shaped in a similar way, while the headlamps are identical to the Exiges. However, the aero kit Lotus has designed for the 3-Eleven adds a larger splitter and reshaped fenders. The hood is also different, and because the 3-Eleven doesn’t have a conventional windscreen, it’s also longer.
before it, the 3-Eleven is based on the lightest and smallest sports car in Lotus’ current lineup. In this case, it’s the 2012-2015 Lotus Exige S.The front fascia is the most recognizable feature coming from the Exige. The bumper intakes are shaped in a similar way, while the headlamps are identical to the Exiges. However, the aero kit Lotus has designed for the 3-Eleven adds a larger splitter and reshaped fenders. The hood is also different, and because the 3-Eleven doesn’t have a conventional windscreen, it’s also longer.
Above the waistline, you can see the rollover hoop and the nearly flat windscreen so commonly found on barchetta-style sports cars and racers.
The rear fascia, on the other hand, has very little in common with the Exige. The round taillights are seemingly the only part the two sports cars share. Both the bumper and vents are different, as well as the two-piece diffuser. The large exhaust pipe, however, is still positioned at the center. The 3-Eleven is equipped with a decklid spoiler, as well as a large wing.
When viewed from the side, the 3-Eleven is also different than the Exige S. Both the front and rear fenders, as well as the side skirts, have been redesigned for optimized aerodynamics. Above the waistline, you can see the rollover hoop and the nearly flat windscreen so commonly found on barchetta-style sports cars and racers. A set of multi-spoke, lightweight wheels wrapped in Michelin tires round off the performance package.
Lotus says the Race version features "a more aggressive aero kit" compared to the Road model, but no specifics were given.
Lastly, the show car is wrapped in a metallic shade of British Racing Green and the yellow found on Lotus’ historic badge. I’m guessing customers will be able to order the 3-Eleven in a wider range of liveries.
Interior
The single photo released as of yet confirms that the 3-Eleven comes with a no-nonsense cockpit devoid of any convenience features.
It’s looking like we’ll get a fresh taste of Alpine performance
Details as to what technology has gone into this car are scant, but the only picture available shows a digital display that enables the driver access to a range of parameters, including speed, rpm, gear, oil pressure and temperature, fuel, and many more.
In front of the screen there’s a leather-wrapped, three-spoke Momo steering wheel with aluminum paddle shifters for the sequential gearbox, while the right side of the dash features a small panel with an engine start button and other controls.
The road-going 3-Eleven is also equipped with a sports seat, while the Race version features an FIA-approved seat with a six-point harness. Other than that, the 3-Eleven’s cockpit appears to be an aluminum shell designed with pure racing in mind. And that’s just awesome!
in mind. And that’s just awesome!Drivetrain
As speculated from the very beginning, the 3-Eleven is powered by a supercharged V-6 engine that’s likely based on the same 3.5-liter powerplant found in the Evora and Exige S. I say "likely" because Lotus hasn’t revealed displacement information. What’s important here is that the mill generates a whopping 450 horsepower, which accounts for a massive 188-horsepower improvement over the most powerful iteration of the 2-Eleven.
and Exige S. I say "likely" because Lotus hasn’t revealed displacement information. What’s important here is that the mill generates a whopping 450 horsepower, which accounts for a massive 188-horsepower improvement over the most powerful iteration of the 2-Eleven.
Lotus also unveiled that the Race variant of the 3-Eleven tips the scales at less than 1,984 pounds, offering a power-to-weight ratio of more than 500 horsepower per tonne.
Lotus claims all that power is enough to send the 3-Eleven flying from 0 to 60 mph in "less than three seconds." This figure not only makes it the quickest Lotus ever built, but also gives the 3-Eleven supercar-like sprints. Top speed is estimated at 174 mph for the Race version and 180 mph for the Road version.
sprints. Top speed is estimated at 174 mph for the Race version and 180 mph for the Road version.
Lotus also unveiled that the Race variant of the 3-Eleven tips the scales at less than 1,984 pounds, offering a power-to-weight ratio of more than 500 horsepower per tonne. Although that’s about all we can get from the brief press release, Gales did say, prior to the unveiling, that the 3-Eleven will lap the Nurburgring lap in 7:09 minutes, which is only a second slower than the 2015 Nissan GT-R Nismo.
An official Nurburgring lap attempt is reportedly due later this year, but since the Germans have yet to lift the speed limitation on certain areas of the track, it remains to be seen whether it will happen or not.
it remains to be seen whether it will happen or not.DRIVETRAIN SPECIFICATIONS
| Type | V6 supercharged |
|---|---|
| Output | 450 HP |
| 0-60 mph | 3.0 seconds |
| Top Speed | 174 MPH (Race version)/180 MPH (Road Version) |
Prices
Besides being the quickest Lotus in history, the 3-Eleven is also the most expensive production car the brand has offered yet. The Road version will start from £82,000 (about $129,090) including VAT, while the Race variant will retail from £115,200 (around $181,335) including VAT. Total production will be limited to only 311 cars. There’s no word on U.S. availability yet, but don’t get your hopes up on the 3-Eleven making it Stateside.
Conclusion
Needless to say, the 3-Eleven looks ready to kick some arse in the sports car world and judging by the preliminary numbers, it should be able to outgun a couple of supercars too. With 450 horsepower at its disposal and a Nurburgring lap time of only 7:09 seconds, the 3-Eleven could become one of the most exciting track-prepped sports cars yet. In the meantime, it’s Lotus’ first brand-new vehicle since the 2009 Evora and that’s a very good reason to celebrate. The 3-Eleven might just help Lotus get back on track after many years of financial hardship. All I want is to see this beast delivers some quick laps on Europe’s hottest race courses and, why not, maybe see it star in a one-make series.
Update History
Updated 06/26/2015: Lotus dropped the official details on the new 3-Eleven, which will make its public debut this weekend at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Updated 02/30/2015: While all we have so far on the Lotus 3-Eleven is speculation, we decided to create a rendering of what we think the car will look like. We hope you like it.
Press Release
Heralding a new generation of Lotus high performance sports cars, today saw the unveiling of the company’s quickest and most expensive series production car ever, the 3-Eleven, at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Designed as an uncompromised manifestation of the Lotus spirit, the new car is focused on providing an undiluted driving experience, and unde
rlines the company’s ability to deliver legendary handling and blistering speed.
rlines the company’s ability to deliver legendary handling and blistering speed.
Working on the concept of less is more, and keeping close to Lotus’ track roots, the dramatic new vehicle features an all-new lightweight body, with
an open cockpit design and a revised V6 supercharged engine developing 450 hp. Two variations of the Lotus 3-Eleven will be available: Road and Race; both delivering an impressive combination of high performance, agility and precision. Based on the Road version, the Race includes a more aggressive aero kit, a sequential gearbox and an FIA approved driver’s seat with a six-point harness.
an open cockpit design and a revised V6 supercharged engine developing 450 hp. Two variations of the Lotus 3-Eleven will be available: Road and Race; both delivering an impressive combination of high performance, agility and precision. Based on the Road version, the Race includes a more aggressive aero kit, a sequential gearbox and an FIA approved driver’s seat with a six-point harness.
With a dry weight of below 900 kg (Race version), the 3-Eleven offers an enviable power to weight ratio, in excess of 500 hp per tonne, and is capable of sprinting from 0-60 mph in less than 3.0 seconds before reaching a maximum speed of 174 mph (280 km/h) for the Race version and 180 mph (290 km/h) for the Road version Speaking at Goodwood, Jean-Marc Gales, Chief Executive Officer for Group Lotus plc, stated, "We always say that to make a sports car better, yo
u make it faster and lighter. The new Lotus 3-Eleven carries that philosophy to a new level, and is perfectly in keeping with our brand values.”
u make it faster and lighter. The new Lotus 3-Eleven carries that philosophy to a new level, and is perfectly in keeping with our brand values.”
Jean-Marc Gales continued, “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 new Lotus 3-Eleven will enter production in February 2016 and deliveries will commence in April 2016. Production will be limited to just 311 vehicles in total.
Prices start at £82,000 for the Road version (including VAT and on the road costs) and £96,000 excluding VAT for the Race version (£115,200 including VAT)
Prices start at £82,000 for the Road version (including VAT and on the road costs) and £96,000 excluding VAT for the Race version (£115,200 including VAT)
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