Description Stratton Motor Company are delighted to be able to show and offer this cherished example of the ultra-rare 2000 Lotus 340R, a piece of Lotus Design History and collaboration between Autocar magazine and Lotus designer Russell Carr. Having covered just 4,900 miles this offers an almost unique opportunity to own a significant piece of Lotus history. The concept of this incredible engineered design was initially unveiled at the 1998 Birmingham Motorshow and never intended as a production model, but an example of how far Lotus Engineering, under the guise of designer Russell Carr, could go to pursue the DNA of Lotus Founder, Colin Chapman, to exploit the advantages of weight over power. Using the extruded aluminium chassis platform of the Series 1 Elise, it went far further in form of the one-piece resin body which was kept to an absolute minimum to keep the kerb weight to an incredible 610kgs. Add to this the ultra-lightweight and all aluminium River K Series engine and 5-speed gearbox and what you ended up with was a power to weight ratio of just 340bhp per ton, and hence the name of the project car, the 340R (Track and Racing). In the immediate years that followed Autocar Magazine kept up the pressure on Lotus and together with significant interest from would be customers the project morphed from just a good idea into motoring reality, Lotus producing just 340 models to continue the link to the magic number. This particular car was registered in September 2000 and has just two owners from new, part of its life having been in the climate of Hong Kong before returning to the UK in 2016. This is car number 325 of 340 examples made. The stock K series engine produces 177bhp but this car has had the Lotus upgrade to 190bhp and so the performance figures of 0-60mph of 4.4 seconds and top speed of 133mph will see an improvement. Fitted with lightweight alloy wheels and Avon ZZR Tyres, with the original alloys carefully stored. Also comes with a custom-made cover produced by Lotus. It has been serviced and is know well to us here at Stratton Motor Company, having undergone careful restoration and upgrades to what must surely be one of the best examples available. A very rare car and an equally rare opportunity to own a significant piece of Lotus history as an investment with values rising steadily. For more details or to arrange a viewing, please call our sales team on 01508 530491.