As the fastest production Lotus ever, the 2-Eleven has been confirmed as the centre-piece of the Lotus stand at the Sydney Show. This will be the Australian public's first chance to see the car locally.

This car will also be the first public production 2-Eleven to come from the UK factory, where Lotus plans to build 100 of the 2-Elevens annually.

Lauded by the English press, the 2-Eleven's power-to-weight ratio of 3.9kg/kW not only puts it on par with 1960s Formula One cars. The 2-Eleven produces 188 kW at a high 8,000 rpm combined with a low weight of just 745 kg.

Taking Lotus founder Colin Chapman's philosophy of 'performance through light weight' to its most extreme, the 2-Eleven is aimed at the track or tarmac rally enthusiast offering race-car levels of performance coupled with legendary Lotus ride and handling.

"Naturally we are excited to have the 2-Eleven as the centrepiece of our Sydney stand", said Jonathan Stretton, Sales and Marketing Manager of Lotus Cars Australia, "but we are also proud that Australia will get the first car off the public production run."

"We appreciate some may have seen the car's international debut at Geneva in March and we expect the car will generate just as much excitement in Australia where its uniqueness will stand out as a car with both looks and performance. This is not a show-only one-off prototype, but a race-ready production car that will join the Lotus Australia range."

Based on modified Exige S running gear, performance is astonishing, with 0-100 km/h arriving in 3.9 seconds and a top track speed just under 250 km/h through its close-ratio six-speed gearbox.

Built by the Lotus Sport arm of the Hethel Lotus factory in the UK, the 2-Eleven features a 1.8-litre supercharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine. Tuned to develop 188 kW at 8,000 rpm, it's 16 percent more powerful than the Exige S and is the most powerful Lotus to ever be offered to the public. At just 745 kg, the 2-Eleven also weighs a considerable 20 percent less than an Exige S, a model well known for its low weight. Over the Exige S, the 2-Eleven's torque is also increased 13 percent to 242 Nm at 7,000 rpm.

This significant increase in power and torque works with VVTL-i variable cam timing and lift, to ensure a smooth and linear surge of power from near idle to 8,000 rpm.

The 2-Eleven is also fitted with launch control and driver-adjustable traction control, developed by the European Exige GT3 race car programme.

The launch control system maximises the performance of standing starts and is adjustable to offer the optimum launch despite differences in road grip.

The same system also controls traction control which is cockpit-adjustable. The driver has the choice of 18 settings of electronic intervention down to zero. This, and the fact it is based on the Exige chassis, allows the 2-Eleven to be extremely user-friendly and easily tuned to suit any driver's level of skill in any road condition.

Though two versions are available in the UK for road and track, Australia will get a single bespoke version. Standard Australian specification includes front and rear lights, adjustable carbon fibre 'track' rear wing, extended 'track' front splitter, free-flowing track exhaust and two ProBax 'road' seats. An FIA compliant six-point rollover structure with integral harness mounts and four-point harnesses are also standard equipment.

The 2-Eleven's body is an all new ultra-lightweight composite structure with core-mat technology weighing just 40 kg. All external panels are bolted on to the lightweight aluminium chassis for easy removal, maintenance and repair.

Lightweight five-spoke forged alloys are shod with Lotus Sport specific Yokohama A048R LTS tyres (front: 195/50x16; rear: 225/45x17) designed to maximise grip, as well as ride and handling.

The braking system consists of AP Racing four-piston calipers on the front and Brembo calipers on the rear, with silicone brake fluid, stainless steel braided lines and Lotus-tuned ABS designed specifically to allow maximum driver feel.

Ohlins two-way adjustable coil-over shock absorbers with ride-height adjustment and an adjustable front sway bar allow fine tuning, while a strengthened rear suspension brace is fitted to better cope with expected kerb hopping during competitive use. Unique steering arms and front upper wishbones are fitted to suit the ultra-low ride height.