If you've been following TopSpeed recently, then you probably already now Lotus->ke49 is about to unveil a new sports car->ke506 at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed.->ke3879 I'm talking about the 3-Eleven, which comes to take up where the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven, a barchetta-style, Elise-based->ke1678 track-car, left off in 2011. With what could be only hours until the 2016 Lotus 3-Eleven breaks cover, Lotus has released the first teaser of its new sports car.

Not surprising, the photo isn't very revealing, showing only half of the front bumper and a very small fraction of the car's left headlamp. However, that's enough to confirm what I suspected from the very beginning: the 3-Eleven is based on the 2012-2015 Lotus Exige S and borrows heavily from its styling from the waist down. The bumper is nearly identical to the Exige's->ke525 (except for the mesh), while the headlamps appear sport the same shape and size.

Most of the details surrounding the 3-Eleven are still under wraps, but it's believed the barchetta will feature an aggressive aero kit and a no-nonsense interior made from aluminum and carbon-fiber. Power should come from a 3.5-liter V-6 tuned to crank out around 420 horsepower. The company claims the 3-Eleven will hit 60 mph in less than three seconds and lap the Nurburgring->ke999 in just over seven minutes. If this proves to be true, the 3-Eleven will be one hot performer.

Continue reading for the full story.

Why it matters

If you had any doubts that Lotus will indeed show the 3-Eleven at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed, then this is the proof you've been looking for. Furthermore, the teaser confirms the track-prepped barchetta is based on the Exige S, which will translate into attractive styling and a comprehensive aero package. A hardcore Exige without a roof and windshield if you will.

2016 Lotus 3-Eleven

Read more about the Lotus 3-Eleven in our speculative here.