Final version of the 3-Eleven becomes Lotus’ fastest street car

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 that Lotus builds, the new 3-Eleven 430 is the fastest Lotus road car to lap the challenging Hethel circuit, completing a run 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.

The supercharged and charge-cooled 3.5-litre V6 engine, what was specifically upgraded and redesigned for the 430 produces 430 hp and 440 Nm, propelling the car from 0-60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 180 mph – up from 3.3 seconds (0-60 mph) (3.4 seconds 0-100 km/h) and 174 mph (280 km/h) for the previous version.

The 3-Eleven 430 stays true to the company’s edicts, and 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 light weight.

“When we first unveiled the Lotus 3-Eleven it heralded a new generation of truly focused, world-class sports cars,” said Group Lotus CEO Jean Marc Gales. It altered perceptions of what was possible at this price category, and today the new 3-Eleven 430 moves the benchmark to remain the ultimate weapon in focused road driving and track work.”

The car’s standard specification does little to belie its focused intentions, with a Torsen-type limited slip differential, Öhlins DFV one-way adjustable dampers and Eibach adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars. In addition, 6-position variable traction control, linked directly to the ECU, with five pre-set traction levels allows owners to tune their preferred setup. These features are joined by Lotus’ slick, six-speed manual gearbox and acclaimed open-gate design – precisely engineered for fast and seamless shifts.

The Lotus 3-Eleven 430 employs Michelin Cup 2 tyres to transfer its considerable power to the road. This mechanical grip, combined with the considerable aerodynamic downforce, allows drivers to tap into the model’s lateral acceleration potential of up to 1.5 g whilst cornering.

The Lotus 3-Eleven relies on AP Racing four-piston callipers front and rear and new, two-piece J-Hook brake discs which provide improved bite and debris clearance and reduce distortion and vibration. Each corner is finished by Lotus-designed ultra-lightweight forged aluminium wheels, finished either in gloss or satin black.

“The development of the original 3-Eleven focused our thoughts on a Lotus of pure simplicity and advanced our thinking on the sports cars of the future. The 3-Eleven 430 is the ultimate conclusion of that work, a super car killer and something that we’re all immensely proud of,” added Gales.