The Lotus 340R is a limited edition sports car manufactured by Lotus Cars in 2000 at their Hethel factory. The 340R is a special edition of the Lotus Elise. Just 340 were built, and all were sold before they were manufactured. It uses a custom built bodyshell with no roof and no doors. All cars came with a silver and black colour scheme. Special A038R tyres were developed for the 340R in collaboration with Yokohama.

In 1999 Lotus took the Elise design one step further, with the 340R. Technically it was very similar to the Elise, but it was further stripped of all but the bare essentials. Most of the bodywork was removed, giving the 340R a cycle-fender appearance, reminiscent of the Seven. Carbon fibre was used for the few remaining body panels, the wings and the fenders.

With next to no weather protection and a feisty engine, the 340R was best suited for track-day use. Despite its race car look and feel, it was fully approved and homologated for road use. When production ended, 340 examples were completed.

The engine's sound insulating cover can be removed and if the ever more ridiculous noise regulations allow, the catalytic converter can be removed. A replacement ECU is then slotted in and power is up from 177bhp to 190bhp. In a car weighing 568kg, that's a serious number of horses. 60mph can be reached in a mere four seconds.

The brakes are cross drilled, vented and 282mm in diameter. Racing hoses, Pagid brake pads, racing brake fluid and AP Racing opposed piston callipers will bring the car to a rapid halt. s

Tyres aren't skimped on either. The 340R is fitted with super-sticky road/race rubber compound Yokohama A038R Tyres, with a highly distinctive tread pattern. The wheels are secured with racing style centre locks and Lotus even supply the torque wrench to get them back on at the correct tolerances. Adjustable shocks come as standard.

the cabin a race-spec quick-release steering wheel and race harness adapter kit are available as part of the 'track pack'. There's a Stack race rev-counter with shift lamps and lap timing facilities, altough that would of course invalidate track day insurance...

4 cylinder in-line, 1.8 mid-mounted water-cooled engine with Lotus developed engine management system. Double overhead cmshafts with mechanical tappets. Electronic multi-point injection.

Performance (estimated): Maximum Power: 170bhp @ 7800 RPM Maximum speed: 130 mph 0-60 mph: 4.3 seconds Unladen weight: Road 600kg, Race 568kg. Dimensions: Wheelbase: 2300mm, front track: 1448mm, rear track: 1470mm.

The Lotus 340R is a limited edition sports car manufactured by Lotus Cars in 2000 at their Hethel factory. The 340R is a special edition of the Lotus Elise. Just 340 were built, and all were sold before they were manufactured. It uses a custom built bodyshell with no roof and no doors. All cars came with a silver and black colour scheme. Special A038R tyres were developed for the 340R in collaboration with Yokohama.

In 1999 Lotus took the Elise design one step further, with the 340R. Technically it was very similar to the Elise, but it was further stripped of all but the bare essentials. Most of the bodywork was removed, giving the 340R a cycle-fender appearance, reminiscent of the Seven. Carbon fibre was used for the few remaining body panels, the wings and the fenders.

With next to no weather protection and a feisty engine, the 340R was best suited for track-day use. Despite its race car look and feel, it was fully approved and homologated for road use. When production ended, 340 examples were completed.