Lotus has revealed the 3-Eleven 430, a run out edition of the hardcore track focused 3-Eleven, and dubbed as Lotus’ quickest street-legal sports car. As the name suggests it comes with a 430hp engine, 15hp more than the standard 3-Eleven. It has a supercharged 3.5-litre Toyota V6 engine, and an open-gate six-speed manual transmission. It also produces 440Nm of torque, allowing it to get from 0-100km/h in 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 290km/h.
The 3-Eleven 430 comes with part-visible carbon-composite bodywork, and has a bespoke extruded and bonded aluminium chassis. At 920kg, it weighs 5kg less than the standard 3-Eleven, and doing proud Lotus’ tradition of pursuing performance through light weight. Lotus has also done some work on the aerodynamics. They’ve mounted the straight-cut rear wing 50mm higher than before, and comes with re-profiled end plates. It also has a long front splitter and lip spoiler, as well as a flat floor with a rear diffuser. All these changes increase downforce by 44kg at top speed, for a total of 265kg. Other hardware includes: a Torsen limited-slip differential, öhlins DFV one-way adjustable dampers, and Eibach adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars. There’s also a six-position, variable traction control system with five pre-set traction levels. Drivers can set the system to either: 1%, 3%, 6%, 9%, 12% slip or “off.” The 3-Eleven 430 makes use of Michelin Cup 2 tyres, measuring 225/40 ZR 18 in front and 275/35 ZR19 in the back. Lotus claims that the car can generate 1.5g of cornering grip thanks to these tyres and downforce. Stopping power comes from four-piston callipers from AP Racing, and two-piece J-Hook brake discs measuring 332mm front and rear. As mentioned before, Lotus says that this is the fastest street-legal car that they produce. To make a comparison, the 3-Eleven 430 goes through the Hethel circuit 0.8 sec quicker than the second-place Exige Cup 430, and two seconds quicker than the standard 3-Eleven – with a lap time of 1:24 min. Only 20 of these cars will be built, with order books already open. Price is £102,000 in the UK, including VAT and on the road costs. Written by Alex Kisiri |
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