The Lotus 2-Eleven GT4 Supersport is mean. So mean, in fact, that only ten people will be deemed hard enough to buy one.
We found the
standard 2-Eleven to be potent enough, with a 255bhp engine that hits its peak at a howling 8,000rpm, a 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds and no pesky windscreen to get in the way of the air. It's built on a development of the Elise chassis as a relatively affordable weekend racer for relatively rich weekend racer types.
But this bad boy takes matters a step further. The new flagship is made specifically to complete in the European SRO GT4 Supersports racing category - an FIA approved racing class for amateur track day enthusiasts.
Lotus Sport has fettled the engine and aerodynamics, as well as adding a smart-as-heck sequential gearbox that blips the throttle automatically on downshifts to match the revs with the engine speed, improving chassis stability and making each change lightning quick. The shifter stick is mounted on the transmission tunnel, rather than being a flappy paddle affair, and there's a shift indicator.
The engine management software of the 1.8-litre supercharged unit has been remapped, and the induction and exhaust upgraded, liberating an extra 11 horses, taking the output up to 266bhp. Torque is improved slightly too, up to 182lb.ft.
Other changes include stiffer springs and dampers, though they're still adjustable, semi-slick Yokohama tyres, and FIA-spec carbon fibre race seats with an electric massage function. That last bit was a lie.
There are no specific performance numbers, but expect a 0-60mph time in the low three-second region and a top speed of around 150mph. All ten cars will be ready for March 2009 deliveries, priced at £78,255, although Lotus can retrofit the GT4 kit to any 2-Eleven.
Mark Nichol - 13 Nov 2008