Race-bred 2-Eleven unleashed

The Lotus 2-Eleven was a pretty focused and uncompromising car in the first place, but the specialist British marque has now conjured up an even more hardcore version designed to compete in the European SRO GT4 Supersports category.

Pictured alongside is the Lotus Sport 2-Eleven GT4 Supersport racer, a flagship model that builds on the strengths of the donor car via a dramatic composite body, full rollcage, pumped-up powertrain and sequential gearbox.

Power and torque rise from the stocker's 188kW and 242Nm respectively to 199kW and 247Nm. Lotus says the increments were harnessed via improved induction and exhaust systems and a high-ratio supercharger drive system for added boost. The engine management system has also been remapped and optimised.

Mated to the engine is a six-speed sequential gearbox with a centrally mounted push/ pull shift lever and Lotus says the gearbox is integrated with the engine management system to allow flat shifts up through the gears and there's an "autoblip" rev-matching system on downchange.

Thrust out of corners is maximised via a plate type limited-slip differential and the double-wishbone suspension is uprated with stiffer race-focused springs and dampers.

Semi-slick AO48 Yokohamas are fitted as standard, and the dampers are two-way adjustable Ohlins units, allowing the handling to be optimised to a particular circuit.

A 70-litre FIA-approved bag tank is fitted as part of the GT4 Supersport spec along with a plumbed-in fire extinguisher system. A concession to easier ingress and egress comes in the form of a removable Lotus Sport steering wheel.

The GT4 Supersport's aero package includes a rigid tonneau cover, deep front splitter and carbonfibre rear wing and rear diffuser. Lotus claims the GT4 Supersport generates up to 80kg of positive downforce at 160km/h, which is over 10 per cent of the car's weight.

In case you were hoping to acquire one, you should be aware that Lotus is planning an initial run of just 10 cars, with UK pricing starting at $181,485. UK deliveries commence in March, just in time for the '09 racing season.

However, some GT4 Supersport features can be retrofitted to standard 2-Elevens, allowing owners to upgrade their car as they hone their skills.

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