The global automakers tend to understand the US auto market better than the Detroit auto giants interpret it themselves. Americas love for the foreign cars has been on an upswing and the way things have evolved over the past few years, it is destined to get a further boost, especially with the cars like Lotus 2 Eleven making waves on American shores.
The boys from Hethel have developed a car, which defines extremity at its best when talking off street legal cars with a competitive tinge. Dubbed the 2-Eleven, it is a gulped version of the Lotus exige S, thus, you rightly guessed that the doors, roof or the windows are nowhere to be seen in this uniquely street legal sedan.
0-60 mph timing
Underestimation would be a severe folly for without even the normal outfitiings, though an irrelevant requisition but still important for those sitting there with their critique pangs, this car can hit 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, not to forget that it tops it out at 150mph .
This car is small enough to make a person ignore the entire effort but then it boasts of that appreciable speed, by only using a four banger, which is why I laud the stakes with vehemence.
Overall weight
The missing doors, windows and a roof hint at a lightweight car, which weighs only 670 kg with an output of 252 horses and an overall torque of 242Nm@ 7000 rpm.
The power to weight ratio of this car is comparable with a Formula One car of the 1960’s, but that no way means that the makers have toyed with the legendary Lotus ride quality, a trait where Lotus has bettered many challengers in the past.
Safety Equippings
What bothered me though was the safety aspect, meaning how this car would satiate the driving-ethics conscious American driver, who demands safety as a priority.
The credentials came good this time too as the safety package incorporated into the 2-Eleven left me with nothing but appreciation. It comes loaded with many safety features of the Elise and Exige.
The Front crash box and the crushable rear sub-frame feature in the 2-Eleven as standard. That is not just all as a 6-point rollover bar, ‘high-sided’ chassis, 4-point seat harness and kill switch are also standard on the launch edition model.
Well, let us just forget that this car is miniscule by any figment of imagination and even if you prefer calling it a pony the details to follow would surely oblige a random change of thoughts.
Transmission
If six-speed is the buzzword around, this one won’t let you down on that too. The engine is mated to a C64 manual transaxle six-speed gearbox. The aluminum lightweight construction ensures close ratio and the British manufacturer hasn’t missed out on the variable traction control system.
Braking System & Suspension
The adjustable ride height was something, which even the manufacturer couldn’t deny, for the make of the car is such. But then there are other suspension features which have been outfitted to justify, every inch of the make is worth dying for.
A fully independent suspension ensures the utilization of the unequal length wishbones. For that impeccable and constant performance, the 2-Eleven sports Ohlins two-way adjustable dampers with remote reservoirs and cool over springs. To top it all, it comes equipped with Lotus Sport Adjustable front anti-roll bars and rear double sheer track control arm-brace.
In addition, how quickly the brakes respond and their timing at it is laudable just like every other facet of this car. Servo assisted, track tuned 4-channel ABS, twin opposed piston AP racing brake calipers, Race Spec Pagid RS14 front and rear pads and Goodridge stainless steel braided hoses guarantee that a somber foot on the centre paddle makes the stoppage happen before exceeding the bloodcurdling limits.
Wheels
As they say ‘what’s behind the wheel’, we’ve already told you what’s behind it, what we would lastly prefer mentioning would be, what’s in the wheel.
The machinery runs on Black lotus Sport 5-Spoke lightweight forged alloy wheels mated with Yokohama Advan AO48 LTS tyres. The configuration for the front wheel is 195/50 7J R16 and for the rear ones the reading goes as 225/45 8J R17.
This is all we have for you people to decide whether you would pay $70,000 for this car when it arrives at American dealerships later this year. If your answer is in the affirmative, just be sure of one thing; only 300 of them would arrive (even the exclusivity is taken care off) so be one of them to book it or have your heart scalded when it roars past you.
Images : Insideline
Credit : GroupLotus
