2012 Lotus Evora 2dr Coupe on 2040-cars

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Watch the Lotus 3-Eleven run down Porsches and destroy the Nurburgring

The Lotus 3-Eleven is the automaker's most powerful production machine to date. Roughly a year ago, Lotus set out to show just how capable the 3-Eleven is by sending the open-top track-focused machine to the Nurburgring. Lotus claims the car set a blistering time of 7:06 around the track. Now in a belated celebration, automaker released two new, short clips of the vehicle sprinting around the Green Hell. There's no questioning just how capable the 3-Eleven is. In both videos, which are shot from the driver's seat, the track car chases down various Porsches at an impressive rate. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. While there's some controversy over how Lotus set the time, the 3-Eleven's claimed Nurburgring pace is quicker than a Nissan GT-R Nismo and is just four seconds slower than a Lamborghini Aventador LP750-4 SV. Earlier this year, Germany's Sport Auto magazine took the 3-Eleven to the Hockenheimring where the track car managed to set a new record, besting the likes of the Porsche 918 Spyder. With a claimed dry weight of just 1,962 pounds, the 3-Eleven focuses emphasizes lightweight structure over massive power. Still, it's Lotus' most powerful production car with a 3.5-liter supercharged V6. In the right hands, the 3-Eleven can sprint to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds and managed to lap the automaker's test track 10 seconds quicker than the Evora 400. Marc Basseng, the racecar driver piloting the 3-Eleven, claimed the 3-Eleven could go even faster around the Nurburgring with less traffic. After watching these new clips, we would have to agree. Related Video:

Lotus bids farewell to the Elise and the Exige with Final Edition models

Lotus will put the Elise, the Exige, and the Evora out to pasture later in 2021 to make room for a new model that internally is being called Type 131. Before it embarks on this major lineup overhaul, the firm will send off the Elise and the Exige — two of its best-known and longest-running models — with a limited Final Edition. Fittingly, the Final Edition models represent the ultimate evolution of the Elise and the Exige, nameplates released 25 and 21 years ago, respectively. Lotus added power and, somewhat surprisingly, equipment without straying from the famous "light is right" philosophy that shaped both cars. Collectors have two variants of the Elise (Sport 240 and Cup 250) and three of the Exige (Sport 390, Sport 420, and Cup 430) to choose from. Stepping inside either Final Edition version of the Elise reveals a thin-film transistor (TFT) instrument cluster that can be configured with regular gauges or a racecar-like display, depending on whether motorists plan to hit the road or the track. Lotus also redesigned the steering wheel to give taller drivers more space. New upholstery and stitching patterns round out the major updates, and every Final Edition wears a specific metal plaque. Outside, the changes include new additions to the palette, including Azure Blue, which was one of the launch colors when the Elise was presented to the press in 1996. Racing Green, the hue worn by the model when it made its global debut at the 1995 edition of the Frankfurt auto show, makes a comeback as well. If 2,032 pounds is too heavy, Lotus offers optional parts (like carbon fiber panels) that shed 53 pounds. Power for the Elise still comes from a supercharged, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine mounted directly behind the passenger compartment. It delivers 240 horsepower (23 more than stock) and 180 pound-feet of torque, figures that give the roadster a 4.1-second zero-to-60-mph time. Selecting the Cup model brings a full body kit that generates 145 pounds of downforce at 100 mph and 341 pounds at the Elise's 154-mph top speed. Like the Elise, the Exige range receives Final Edition-specific paint colors, decals, and other exterior accents. Inside, it's a similar story: Lotus added a TFT screen and a new steering wheel, among other updated parts. Instead of a four-cylinder, the Exige packs a meaner punch thanks to a supercharged, 3.5-liter V6 tuned to put 397 horsepower (a 47-horse increase) and 310 pound-feet of torque under the driver's right foot.

Lotus and Proton might be sold to Peugeot-Citroen after Geely bails

Despite some strong initial interest, Chinese automaker Geely changed its mind about purchasing a controlling stake in Proton, parent company of Lotus Cars. This leaves Groupe PSA, owner of Peugeot, Citroen, and now Opel, as the sole remaining interested party. This is mixed news for Proton, as Geely's hands-off, cash-flush approach may have helped Lotus. On the other hand, it isn't like Groupe PSA is bordering on bankruptcy. According to Malaysian automotive news site Paultan.org, the reasons behind Geely's change of heart are unclear. In fact, it may seem that the indecision about the deal may have been coming more from Proton, not Geely. Reports say that Proton's parent company, Malaysian manufacturer DRB-Hicom, was uneasy about the potential partnership. DRB-Hicom assembles cars for a number of automakers, including Honda, Isuzu, and Suzuki. A deal with Groupe PSA would give the French automaker access to both DRB-Hicom's facilities and an expanded foothold in Southeast Asia. As only one contender remains, look for news of the deal going one way or another in the next few months. Related Video: News Source: Paultan Lotus Citroen Peugeot Geely groupe psa