Lotus Bids Farewell To 3-Eleven With More Powerful 430 Version

Khodrocar - Lotus is working on a new generation of sports cars, but before it arrives on the market in 2020, customers will be able to buy one last special version of the immortal 3-Eleven. The British manufacturer, now owned by China’s Geely, is presenting the 3-Eleven 430, the "most extreme machine” it has ever built. Only 20 examples will be assembled, each carrying a price of £102,000, approximately $142,000 at the current exchange rates.

Under the hood of this hardcore pocket-rocket is a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 430 horsepower (321 kilowatts) and 324 pound-feet (440 Newton-meters) of torque. Lotus promises the motor can propel the vehicle from a standstill to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) in just 3.2 seconds, while top speed is 180 mph (290 kph). Compared to the previous most powerful 3-Eleven, these numbers represent an improvement of 0.2 seconds in the sprint and 6 mph (10 kph) in the top speed.

Power from the V6 engine is channeled to the wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox, while a Torsen-type limited slip differential and a six-position variable traction control, linked directly to the ECU, provide a better traction.

Proving how fast the car is, Lotus has put it to its limits around the company’s Hethel test track. The 3-Eleven 430’s time of 1:24 minutes is a new lap record, and is 0.8 seconds faster than the Exige Cup 430 and two full seconds than the previous 3-Eleven.

The exotic car maker explains the special edition is not only about power, as it has received a revised aerodynamics to match the increased oomph. A higher mounted straight-cut rear wing with re-profiled end plates, a long front splitter and lip spoiler, and a flat floor with rear diffuser boost the downforce by 97 lbs (44 kg) to 584 lbs (265 kg) at maximum speed.

Source: Motor1