THE most powerful road going model to emerge from the Lotus stable has been unveiled in the shape of the new Evora GT430.

Powered by a supercharged 3.5-litre V6 developing 430bhp it is capable of 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 190mph.

Only 60 of the hand-built models will be produced, each priced from £112,500.

With plenty of carbon fibre in the body, the high performance Evora has a dry weight of 1.258 tonnes the GT430 tips the scales some 26kg under the super-light Evora Sport 410 and its rear wing helps generate a downforce of 250kg.

As a result, Lotus is claiming a fuel return of 21.9mpg with emissions of 249g/km.

Much of the weight loss is down to a titanium exhaust system which is 10kg lighter and an Öhlins and Eibach adjustable spring and damper assembly.

The Evora GT430 has a power-to-weight ratio of 342 horsepower per tonne and has set a new record for the Evora range, lapping the Lotus 2.2-mile test track at Hethel in Norfolk in one minute 25.8 seconds - the same as the Lotus 3-Eleven super-roadster released last year.

The cockpit of the GT430 features carbon fibre in the trim and in the seat construction and a new lightweight carbon instrument binnacle cover with a new design of graphic on the instrument panel.

The steering wheel, dashboard, door panels, transmission tunnel and centre console are all trimmed in a combination of black Alcantara and perforated leather, with a full leather or full Alcantara trim option available at no additional cost.

Carbon-backed Sparco seats are among the options and so is a four-point harness restraint system to give the two-seater a more race-focused cabin.

An integrated touch-screen infotainment system can also be specified, including iPod connectivity and Bluetooth functionality, satellite navigation and reversing camera.

Jean-Marc Gales, Lotus chief executive, said: "The Evora GT430 is a landmark car for Lotus. Lightweight engineering and class-leading handling, paired with Lotus' aerodynamic expertise, define the Evora GT430 as a legendary Lotus."