Car of the Day - Lotus 2-Eleven

Car of the Day - Lotus 2-Eleven

Lotus is one of the true iconic marques that has built its name on racing. Its competition heritage has come about through all levels of motorsport - from Formula 1 to weekend and gentlemen racers. Lotus has in its stable some of the most illustrious and evocative names in motorsport, such as 11, 7, 49, 72 and Elan. It now looks like another model will join the list of famous and highly successful models with the 2-Eleven having just won the coveted EVO Magazine Trackday Car of the Year.

Back in 2007 Lotus unveiled the 2-Eleven track car the 77th annual Geneva International Motor Show, delivering perhaps the ultimate toy for the well-heeled racing enthusiast. The trackday car is a burgeoning market and the choice is growing rapidly. There is everything from kit based 7’s to Zonda R’s and special edition Arial Atoms and Westfields with motorcycle based V8. Then there are the Nurburgring record holders with the Ultimas and the Donkervoort - it is an exciting time and an exciting niche in the enthusiast market.

While Lotus has just launched a more affordable unsupercharged base model the subject of this COTD is the original fully spec’d performance model.

With a recommended selling price (incl UK VAT) of £39,995 it is far from cheap. In the UK you can include the road registration option of the SVA version (Single Vehicle Type Approval) for an additional £1,100. Finally a reason for an Australian to want to live in England. The SVA version gets front and rear lights, exhaust catalyst, single plane rear wing and everything else required to achieve compliance with UK road legal requirements The Track Only version has an enhanced aerodynamics package including high downforce single plane carbon fibre rear wing, high downforce front splitter, brake lights and rear indicators and FIA approved driver’s race seat.

Weighing just 670 kg (1,477 lbs) and with 252 bhp / 188 kw) available this is one fun car. Power comes from the Toyotas based 1796 cc engine with Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger and intercooler with VVTL-i variable cam system. The engines 242 Nm (179 lb/ft) at 7000 rpm makes it’s way to the rear wheels via a lightweight aluminium C64 six-speed gearbox Standard is an open type differential and Lotus switchable Traction Control System (LTCS) .

The 2-Eleven uses a high-sided variant of the Lotus Elise chassis with epoxy bonded aluminium alloy extrusions. Running gear is modified Exige S. The whole structure is extremely stiff, light and strong. Crash safety components include a glass fibre reinforced composite front crash structure and the high sill chassis for side impact protection. Additional chassis safety features include an FIA compliant 6-point rollover structure with integral harness mounts and lightweight galvanized steel rear sub frame incorporating a further crushable structure. The body is all new and ultra-lightweight at just 40 kg / 88 lbs. The composite structure features core-mat technology. All external panels are bolted on for ease of removal, maintenance and repair.

The brakes utilise 288 mm cast iron cross drilled and ventilated discs, with aluminium alloy AP Racing 2-piston at the front and Brembo single sliding piston at the rear),

With 0-60 mph 3.8 secs and a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h) coupled with the reknowned Lotus driving dynamics, it is no wonder the 2-Eleven is Evos Track day Car of the Year.

Rod Halligan