Track day warriors rejoice! Lotus's performance division, Lotus Sport, is launching its long-awaited 2-Eleven at the Geneva show, and it looks the business.

Aimed at the true track day enthusiast, the 2-Eleven weighs in at just 670kg and produces 252bhp and 179lb.ft of torque through a supercharged and intercooled 1.8-litre engine. The power-to-weight ratio is claimed to be similar to that of a 1960's Formula 1 car, allowing the 2-Eleven to reach 60mph from a standstill in 3.8 seconds and top out at 155mph.

Under the 2-Eleven's composite skin (weighing just 40kg!), mechanicals comprise of a Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger (with a sealed-for-life internal mechanism negating use of the engine's oil), four high-capacity fuel injectors, an uprated fuel pump, and a back-up engine oil reservoir with twin oil coolers. An uprated clutch assembly puts power down through the lightweight aluminium six-speed gearbox, with the same ratios as in the Exige S.

The Lotus 2-Eleven uses a unique high-sided variant of the Lotus Elise lightweight chassis structure featuring epoxy bonded aluminium alloy extrusions. This package features a safety system with a glass-fibre reinforced composite front crash structure allied to a high-sill chassis for side impact protection and torsional rigidity. Additional features include an FIA approved six-point rollover structure with integral harness mounts and a galvanised steel rear sub frame.

Fully-independent suspension - utilising unequal length wishbones and a set of two-way adjustable Ohlins dampers with coil-over springs - is charged with keeping the car poised and predictable around bends, and the handling will certainly be enhanced by the adjustable front anti-roll bar and rear double shear track control arm brace. Lightweight five-spoke forged black alloy wheels (16-inch front and 17-inch rear) shod in Lotus Sport-specific Yokohama tyres further serve to ensure grip at all four corners.

Stopping power for the car is provided by 288mm cast iron cross-drilled and ventilated discs with aluminium alloy AP Racing two-piston callipers at the front, and Brembo single sliding pistons at the rear. Lotus's track-tuned servo-assisted four-channel ABS system is also employed.

There will be two different versions of the 2-Eleven, though a 'launch edition specification' (comprising of a specific Lotus Sport colour scheme and racing decals) will be the initial offering. The road-legal car fitted with front and rear lights, exhaust catalyst, single plane rear wing and other items achieves compliance with UK requirements, while the track only version gets an enhanced aerodynamics package with a high-downforce single-plane carbon fibre rear wing, high downforce front splitter, brake lights, rear indicators and a FIA approved driver's race seat.

Production of the new track car is scheduled to start in April at Lotus's manufacturing facility in Hethel, Norfolk, with pricing starting at £39,995. Watch out for our images of the new car from Geneva.

Eric Gallina - 2 Mar 2007