2-Eleven to launch at Sydney

LOTUS Cars Australia has confirmed its potent, lightweight new 2-Eleven will officially go on sale at the Sydney motor show on October 11, priced at $127,500.

That's significantly more expensive than the pricetag it carries in the UK (£39,995 or $A98,940), where the 2-Eleven will also be road-registerable.

While Australian buyers will have no such luck, the first public production example of the fastest road-going Lotus ever will take centre stage on the Lotus stand in Sydney alongside the Elise S, Europa S and the Australian-designed Lotus Sport 240, which will make its world debut.

The Exige S-based 2-Eleven will make its national public debut direct from the Hethel (UK) factory, where production began in April. The company hopes to build 100 examples annually.

As previously reported, the 2-Eleven's weight-to-power ratio of 3.9kg/kW not only puts it on par with 1960s Formula One cars, but eclipses many current supercars up to five times its price.

Aimed at track or tarmac rally enthusiasts, the "track use only" rear-drive 2-Eleven delivers 188kW at a peaky 8000rpm and 242Nm at 7000rpm from its supercharged/intercooled Toyota-based DOHC 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine.

That's 16 per cent more power than the Exige S, and 13 per cent more torque.

Driving through a six-speed manual transmission and with a kerb weight of just 745kg (not 670kg as originally stated, but still 20 per cent less than the Exige S weighs), the result is claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in a Porsche 911 Turbo-like 3.9 seconds, and a top speed of 250km/h.

The 2-Eleven is also fitted with launch control and driver-adjustable traction control (featuring 18 settings of electronic intervention), developed by the European Exige GT3 race car program.

While the UK market will get both road and track version of the 2-Eleven, Australia's single version will be unique, offering standard front and rear lights, an adjustable carbon-fibre 'track' rear wing, an extended 'track' front splitter, a free-flowing track exhaust and two ProBax 'road' seats.

An FIA-compliant six-point rollover structure with integral harness mounts and four-point harnesses will also be standard.

According to Lotus, the 2-Eleven's body is an all new ultra-lightweight composite structure with core-mat technology weighing just 40kg. All external panels are bolted on to the lightweight aluminium chassis for easy removal, maintenance and repair.

The car's lightweight five-spoke forged alloys are shod with Lotus Sport-specific Yokohama A048R LTS tyres, measuring 195/50-16 up front and 225/45-17 at rear.

The braking system comprises AP Racing four-piston callipers at the front and Brembo callipers on the rear, with silicone brake fluid, stainless steel braided lines and Lotus-tuned ABS offering maximum driver feel.

Finally, Ohlins two-way adjustable coil-over shock absorbers with ride-height adjustment, an adjustable front sway bar and a strengthened rear suspension brace are fitted, along with unique steering arms and front upper wishbones to suit the ultra-low ride height.

Lotus Australia says it is considering motorsport events for the 2-Eleven.

"Naturally we are excited to have the 2-Eleven as the centrepiece of our Sydney stand," said LCA sales and marketing chief Jonathan Stretton.

"But we are also proud that Australia will get the first car off the public production run.

"We appreciate some may have seen the car's international debut at Geneva in March and we expect the car will generate just as much excitement in Australia, where its uniqueness will stand out as a car with both looks and performance.

"This is not a show-only one-off prototype, but a race-ready production car that will join the Lotus Australia range."

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