[ACP]

Track day hero gets 450bhp 3.5-litre V6, weighs less than 900kg but priced from $150k.

Lotus has revealed the fastest, most extreme car it’s ever made at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Called the 3-Eleven, the new British firm’s racer-for-the-road is the replacement for the old 2-Eleven.

Like the last model the 3-Eleven is once again based on the Elise, but this time powered by a 336kW version of the Toyota-sourced supercharged 3.5-litre V6.

With a power-to-weight ratio of 373kW per tonne, against the clock the new 3-Eleven is easily the quickest car Lotus has ever made with the range-topping Race version said to reach 100km/h, from standstill, in less than 3.0 seconds. Top speed, meanwhile, for the roof and screen-less sports car is 290km/h in the Road version.

The recent introduction of temporary speed limits at the Nurburgring means Lotus hasn’t recorded a fast lap but, if it did, the firm is confident of a sub-7 minute time making the new 3-Eleven almost as quick as a million dollar Porsche 918 Spyder.

Around Lotus’ own Hethel-based circuit, in the UK, the new 3-Eleven has been times timed ten seconds faster than anything Lotus currently makes.

Two versions of the 3-Eleven will be available. A road-going version that comes with a conventional six-speed manual and a track-biased model that comes with a sequential manual. The ‘Race’ version also comes with an FIA-approved rollcage. Both versions come with a limited slip differential.

Under the skin there’s all-round double wishbones suspension with special Ohlins dampers, plus adjustable anti-roll bars. Brakes, meanwhile, are by AP Racing that adds four-piston callipers.

The Race also has shorter gearing and an aero package that generates 215kg downforce at 250km/h.

Inside the stripped-out cabin there’s just a small aero screen to protect you from the elements and a single TFT instrument panel. Both driver’s and passenger seats are lightweight bucket seats with four-point harness. There’s also a quick-release steering wheel to help getting in and out of the narrow cabin that does without doors.

Road versions are available with an optional tonneau cover that wraps around the driver to cover the passenger seat when not in use.

Pricing for the 3-Eleven, in the UK, is said to start at $150,000 for the road-going version and stretch to around $220,000 for the more track-focused model.

Lotus plans to make a total of 311 3-Elevens over the next two years.

http://www.motoring.com.au/news/2015/sports/lotus/goodwood-fos-lotus-3-eleven-revealed-52140

[allanuber]

That looks like the world's fastest sneaker.

But, still want one 

[looney]

it would be a fun drive that's for sure.