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 latest 3-Eleven 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-optimised for the 3-Eleven, the supercharged and charge-cooled 3.5-litre V6 engine produces 430hp and 440Nm, propelling the 3-Eleven 430 from zero to 100km/h in an astonishing 3.2 seconds and hitting a top speed of 290km/h – up from 3.4 seconds and 280km/h for the previous version of the Lotus 3-Eleven.
Designed to provide enthusiast drivers with the purest and most direct of driving experiences, the 3-Eleven is cut from the same cloth as the most iconic Lotus cars. Remaining true to the company’s edicts, it 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.
Originally unveiled in the summer of 2015 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the 3-Eleven was met by rapturous crowds and universal acclaim. Its unashamedly aggressive styling, lightweight design and hypercar-humbling performance set new standards for speed and agility at any price.
Historically, Lotus’ “Eleven” nomenclature is reserved for models which bridge the gap between road and track in the most direct way possible. As a result, these open-cockpit specials have become some of the brand’s most collectable – revered for their lack of embellishment or gimmickry.
As production draws to a close, this final evolution of the formidable 3-Eleven raises the bar beyond the reach of aspiring rivals. It’s a suitable send-off for such a respected and highly capable sports car. 
Check out Lotus’ most extreme street-legal Exige and Elise.
