LOTUS THRILLA
The new screamer from Lotus is being called the British automaker’s most extreme machine ever. Just 20 of these light-bodied 3-Eleven 430s will be distributed worldwide!
The new Lotus 3-Eleven 430 has retaken the title as Lotus’ quickest street-legal sports car – a fitting sendoff for the company’s legendary road racer.
The most extreme machine that Lotus builds, the new 3Eleven 430 is the fastest Lotus road car to lap the challenging Hethel circuit, 0.8 seconds quicker than the second place Exige Cup 430, and two seconds quicker than the previous 3-Eleven, delivering a benchmark time of 1 minute 24 seconds.
Upgraded and specifically re-optimized for the 3-Eleven, the supercharged and chargecooled 3.5-litre V6 engine produces 430 hp propelling the 3-Eleven 430 from 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds) and a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h) – up from 3.3 seconds (0-60 mph) (3.4 seconds 0100 km/h) and 174 mph (280 km/h) for the previous version of the Lotus 3-Eleven.
Remaining true to the company’s edicts, it employs a lightweight carbon-composite body and a bespoke extruded and bonded aluminum chassis. Sculpted part-exposed carbon side panels and striking carbon interior panels all contribute to the exceptional lightweight.
As the company enters its 70th anniversary, the new 3Eleven 430 is a celebration of the company’s legacy of pure performance and intelligent engineering, as it readies its new range of sports cars.