Lotus'->ke49 new hardcore sports car,->ke506 the 3-Eleven, will make its official debut at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed,->ke3879 scheduled to commence on June 25th. The report adds that the 3-Eleven->ke5095 will reach its first customers sometime in 2016.

The source doesn't mention which variant of the 3-Eleven, set to get both road and track version, will be showcased at Goodwood. However, the road-legal model is the most likely to arrive first.

As it was revealed earlier this year, the 3-Eleven is being developed as a spiritual successor to the 2-Eleven, a barchetta-style, lightweight sports car Lotus produced between 2007 and 2011. The 3-Eleven is expected to borrow its design from the Exige,->ke525 but feature enhanced aerodynamics and a roll-over hoop integrated into the roll cage. A no-nonsense interior made from aluminum and carbon fiber will further contribute to the car's track-focused nature.

Motivation will be provided by the 3.5-liter V-6 used in the Evora->ke3240 and Exige S, but tuned to generate around 420 horsepower. With a curb weight of less than 1,800 pounds, the 3-Eleven should be able to return supercar-like->ke177 performance. Lotus claims it will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in less than three seconds and lap the Nurburgring->ke999 track in just over seven minutes.

Stay tuned for more details from the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

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Why it matters

Given the 3-Eleven's unveiling was initially scheduled to take place at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show->ke235 in September, as announced by company CEO Jean-Marc Gales in March, news of its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed is a pretty big announcement. If this proves to be accurate, we're only three weeks away from having our first look at what promises to be Lotus' greatest product in a very long time.

Lotus 3-Eleven

Find out more about the upcoming Lotus 3-Eleven in our speculative review here.