By Dean Larson

There are quite a few options these days for stripped-down track cars, but there are few that look as right as the Lotus 2-Eleven. The reinforced cage, rear wing and topless configuration let you know that this isn’t your average import, but otherwise the car is actually quite good looking, and there isn’t anything ugly or unrefined about its appearance.

If there’s one thing people know about the Lotus, it’s the Toyota connection. And yes, the 2-Eleven and other Lotuses are indeed powered by a 1.8-liter Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine, but don’t kid yourself. The 2ZZ-GE was only found in upgraded Toyota packages and makes about 190 horsepower on its own, and that’s before Lotus boosted it with an Eaton M62 supercharger to bring the output up to 252 horsepower. Funneled through a six-speed manual transmission, the 1,500-pound 2-Eleven is capable of reaching 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds, and completes the quarter-miles in 12.2 seconds. That’s some serious flat-out speed, but it’s truly in the twistys that the Lotus shines.

The 2-Eleven is based on the Lotus Elise running gear with a few tweaks for all-out track performance. The rollcage is an FIA-complaint six-point structure with integrated harness mounts. The front and rear of the car are also fitted with crushable crash structures and the chassis features high sills for side-impact protection. The fiberglass bodywork uses a core-mat construction and all exterior panels are removable for any necessary repairs.

The car also has an interesting 18-position traction control dial that allows the driver about as much adjustability as one could desire. Each position on the switch allows more and more oversteer until the traction control is entirely off.

The 2-Eleven offered for sale here on BringaTrailer.com is nice example with just over 2,000 miles on the odometer. While originally sold as a two-seater, the car has been treated to a center-seat conversion, which allegedly cost about $10,000. That’s a significant price to pay, but owners report that it’s worth every dollar on the track. The car is overall pretty clean with well-documented ownership and a few tasteful upgrades. You'll find an appropriate amount of wear on the bodywork for 2,000 miles of track-only use, but it's limited to a peppering of rock chips. 

Read through the comments on the auction, and you’ll find two previous owners of this very car who rave about the its reliability and performance. They reinforce the sentiment on the web about these cars. No drama, just simple, reliable mechanicals and great driving experience—just as Lotus intended.