Wikicars - User contributions [en]

Lotus Elise GT1

2007-06-30T12:13:32Z

88.107.207.248:

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | [[Image:2lotus elise gt1 23 front donington.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Lotus]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| aka
| {{{aka (Type here, not up there)}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| {{{produced from when to when+total units made (optional)}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| {{{Class}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| {{{Body-Style}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
| {{{length - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
| {{{Width - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;
| Height
| {{{Height - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| {{{wheelbase - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
| {{{Weight - you get the point}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| {{{transmission + drive}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| {{{engine}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| {{{Horsepower and Torque rating}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| {{{similar (competition)}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Designer
| {{{Designer (lead designer if it was a team effort)}}}
|}

The '''Lotus Elise GT1''' (also known as the '''Lotus GT1''' and known internally as '''Type-115''') was a [[race car]] developed for [[grand tourer]]-style [[sports car racing]] starting in 1997.

==Development==
[[Lotus Cars]] had previous been using a racing version of their [[Lotus Esprit]] model in the [[BPR Global Endurance GT Championship]] since its foundation in 1994, competing in the premiere GT1 class against the likes of the [[McLaren F1 GTR]], [[Venturi]] 600LM, [[Ferrari F40]] GTE, and others. However in 1997 the series became known as the [[FIA GT Championship]], and manufacturer involvement was increased with the new international exposure. [[Porsche]] was the first to start a new breed of racing car in 1996, with their purpose-built homologation special known as the [[Porsche 911|911 GT1]]. This was quickly followed by announcement that [[Mercedes-Benz]] planned to do the same with their [[Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR|CLK-GTR]] for 1997.

Thus Lotus decided that in order to remain competitive in the GT1 class, let alone be victorious, they would be required to follow the route set forth by Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. However, aware that they lacked the resources available that Porsche and Mercedes had to create not only the race cars but also the production supercars at a guarenteed loss of money for the company, Lotus decided to take an alternate route. Through interpretation of the rules for FIA GT, Lotus realized they would only need to build a single production car in order to meet homologation requirements. The car would not even need to be sold to a customer, it merely had to be built.

With this in mind, Lotus turned to designing their racing car. Lotus decided to abandon the aged Esprit chassis and instead turn to its new sportscar, the [[Lotus Elise|Elise]]. Mechnically, only the Elise's aluminium chassis was retained for the GT1, although it was heavily modified from its stock form. A new carbon fiber body that resembled the Elise was built, featuring a much longer length in order to increase the car's aerodynamic capabilities.

For an engine, Lotus knew that the Elise's stock [[straight-4 engine]] would not be able to compete, and so it was initially decided that the car would use the 3.5L [[V8 engine]] out of the old Esprit racing car, attached to a [[Hewland]] six-speed sequential gear box. This engine would only appear in the production car however, as testing proved that it was unreliable in comparison to the competition. Instead, the racing cars used [[GM LT engine|Chevrolet LT5]] 6.0L [[V8]] engines from the [[Chevrolet Corvette]] ZR-1, a car which Lotus had originally helped to develop when they had been owned by [[General Motors]]. With this, seven Elise GT1 racing chassis were built, going to factory teams GT1 Lotus Racing as well as privateer GBF UK, First Racing Project, and MVR Racing.

==Racing history==
Debuting at the first round of the [[1997 FIA GT Championship season]], the three factory Elise GT1s took to the grid. Unfortunately, their debut was short lived, as all three cars failed to finish, all due to alternator problems in the engine. For race two, privateer GBF UK received their two cars. Again the three factory cars suffered, failing to finish because of gearbox difficulty. GBF's Elise GT1s fared slightly better, with one of their entries actually finishing, although classified last and 25 laps down from the winner.

The third race of the season in Helsinki was a shorter race, featuring a smaller field. Only three Elise GT1s were entered, but GBF was able to succeed in taking 5th place, earning them points in the championship. The other two Elise GT1s also finished the race as well, an improvement for the company.

However as the season progressed, the teams began to suffer. After Helsinki was the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]], in which only a lone GT1 was entered due to concern over the ability of the car to last 24 hours. The car unfortunately did fail due to an oil leak after 121 laps. Returning to FIA at the [[Nürburgring]], the full team managed to muster only 11th place, while at [[Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps|Spa]] they achieved 8th, but at [[Zeltweg]] all five cars failed to finish again. The teams did not attempt the [[Suzuka Circuit|Suzuka]] round, and again could only earn 12th place at [[Donington Park|Donington]] and 11th at [[Mugello Circuit|Mugello]] when the series returned to Europe. The final two races in the United States saw only the factory team bring two cars, in which they managed a 13th and 9th place finish. The factory squad ended the season without any points, while GBF's points finish at Helsinki earned them 8th place in the championship.

Following the 1997 season, Lotus and its parent company, [[Proton|Proton]], decided that the GT1 was not only lacking in pace in comparison to Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and the older McLarens, but that it was also extremely expensive. The Chevrolet V8 was not a custom built race engine like its competitors leaving it lacking in top speed, and the chassis was too similar to a production car to compete with the exotic designs of other machines. The project was therefore cancelled and the factory team folded. The privateer teams also either folded or bought more capable machines.

Miraculously, in 2003 British squad Team Elite announced plans to purchase Elise GT1 chassis #05 and to use in in the [[12 Hours of Sebring]] and [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] in 2004 as a closed cockpit [[Le Mans prototype]]. This was similar to a plan by [[Panoz]] and French squad Larbre Compétition to use a [[Panoz Esperante GTR-1]], a car which had originally competed with the Elise GT1 in FIA GT in 1997, as a closed cockpit prototype as well. The Elise would be modified to meet modern regulations as well as to attempt to bring the seven year old car up to speed. Unfortunately at Sebring the car proved its age, lasting a mere seven laps before its transmission failed. The project was promptly cancelled.

==Bitter GT1==
Former factory driver Mike Hezemans of the Netherlands, feeling that the Elise GT1's main faults were in its power and aerodynamics, decided that the car should not be abandoned. Buying two former Elise GT1 chassis, Hezemans turned to [[Bitter Cars]] of Germany to modify the car. The front end was made longer and smoother in an attempt to increase front downforce. To replace the Elise GT1's Chevrolet V8, Hezemans and Bitter turned to [[Chrysler]], buying [[Dodge Viper|Viper]] GTS-R 8.0L V10s which were being used in their GT2 class racing cars. The new cars were named Bitter GT1s, and promised to compete in the [[1998 FIA GT Championship season]].

Unfortunately the cars were never able to match even the lackluster performance of the original Elise GT1s. The only race in which they actually competed, [[Silverstone Circuit|Silverstone]], saw both Bitters failing to finish. After failing to even get past initial practice at [[Hockenheimring]], the project was cancelled.

== Road legal Lotus Elise GT1s==

There are at least two road legal Lotus Elise GT1, both are believed to be converted race cars.
One is in the uk, that car appied in an artical in evo magazine.
The other is believed to be in holland.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Elise1.jpg
</gallery>

==External links==
* [http://www.bittercars.com/bitter/bitter.nsf/pages/otherprojects Bitter GT1]

http://www.supercars.net/cars/1035.html

{{Lotus}}

[[Category:Racing cars]]
[[Category:Lotus vehicles|Elise GT1]]

Lotus Elise GT1

2007-06-30T12:07:52Z

88.107.207.248: /* External links */

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | [[Image:2lotus elise gt1 23 front donington.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Lotus]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| aka
| {{{aka (Type here, not up there)}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| {{{produced from when to when+total units made (optional)}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| {{{Class}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| {{{Body-Style}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
| {{{length - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
| {{{Width - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;
| Height
| {{{Height - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| {{{wheelbase - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
| {{{Weight - you get the point}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| {{{transmission + drive}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| {{{engine}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| {{{Horsepower and Torque rating}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| {{{similar (competition)}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Designer
| {{{Designer (lead designer if it was a team effort)}}}
|}

The '''Lotus Elise GT1''' (also known as the '''Lotus GT1''' and known internally as '''Type-115''') was a [[race car]] developed for [[grand tourer]]-style [[sports car racing]] starting in 1997.

==Development==
[[Lotus Cars]] had previous been using a racing version of their [[Lotus Esprit]] model in the [[BPR Global Endurance GT Championship]] since its foundation in 1994, competing in the premiere GT1 class against the likes of the [[McLaren F1 GTR]], [[Venturi]] 600LM, [[Ferrari F40]] GTE, and others. However in 1997 the series became known as the [[FIA GT Championship]], and manufacturer involvement was increased with the new international exposure. [[Porsche]] was the first to start a new breed of racing car in 1996, with their purpose-built homologation special known as the [[Porsche 911|911 GT1]]. This was quickly followed by announcement that [[Mercedes-Benz]] planned to do the same with their [[Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR|CLK-GTR]] for 1997.

Thus Lotus decided that in order to remain competitive in the GT1 class, let alone be victorious, they would be required to follow the route set forth by Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. However, aware that they lacked the resources available that Porsche and Mercedes had to create not only the race cars but also the production supercars at a guarenteed loss of money for the company, Lotus decided to take an alternate route. Through interpretation of the rules for FIA GT, Lotus realized they would only need to build a single production car in order to meet homologation requirements. The car would not even need to be sold to a customer, it merely had to be built.

With this in mind, Lotus turned to designing their racing car. Lotus decided to abandon the aged Esprit chassis and instead turn to its new sportscar, the [[Lotus Elise|Elise]]. Mechnically, only the Elise's aluminium chassis was retained for the GT1, although it was heavily modified from its stock form. A new carbon fiber body that resembled the Elise was built, featuring a much longer length in order to increase the car's aerodynamic capabilities.

For an engine, Lotus knew that the Elise's stock [[straight-4 engine]] would not be able to compete, and so it was initially decided that the car would use the 3.5L [[V8 engine]] out of the old Esprit racing car, attached to a [[Hewland]] six-speed sequential gear box. This engine would only appear in the production car however, as testing proved that it was unreliable in comparison to the competition. Instead, the racing cars used [[GM LT engine|Chevrolet LT5]] 6.0L [[V8]] engines from the [[Chevrolet Corvette]] ZR-1, a car which Lotus had originally helped to develop when they had been owned by [[General Motors]]. With this, seven Elise GT1 racing chassis were built, going to factory teams GT1 Lotus Racing as well as privateer GBF UK, First Racing Project, and MVR Racing.

==Racing history==
Debuting at the first round of the [[1997 FIA GT Championship season]], the three factory Elise GT1s took to the grid. Unfortunately, their debut was short lived, as all three cars failed to finish, all due to alternator problems in the engine. For race two, privateer GBF UK received their two cars. Again the three factory cars suffered, failing to finish because of gearbox difficulty. GBF's Elise GT1s fared slightly better, with one of their entries actually finishing, although classified last and 25 laps down from the winner.

The third race of the season in Helsinki was a shorter race, featuring a smaller field. Only three Elise GT1s were entered, but GBF was able to succeed in taking 5th place, earning them points in the championship. The other two Elise GT1s also finished the race as well, an improvement for the company.

However as the season progressed, the teams began to suffer. After Helsinki was the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]], in which only a lone GT1 was entered due to concern over the ability of the car to last 24 hours. The car unfortunately did fail due to an oil leak after 121 laps. Returning to FIA at the [[Nürburgring]], the full team managed to muster only 11th place, while at [[Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps|Spa]] they achieved 8th, but at [[Zeltweg]] all five cars failed to finish again. The teams did not attempt the [[Suzuka Circuit|Suzuka]] round, and again could only earn 12th place at [[Donington Park|Donington]] and 11th at [[Mugello Circuit|Mugello]] when the series returned to Europe. The final two races in the United States saw only the factory team bring two cars, in which they managed a 13th and 9th place finish. The factory squad ended the season without any points, while GBF's points finish at Helsinki earned them 8th place in the championship.

Following the 1997 season, Lotus and its parent company, [[Proton|Proton]], decided that the GT1 was not only lacking in pace in comparison to Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and the older McLarens, but that it was also extremely expensive. The Chevrolet V8 was not a custom built race engine like its competitors leaving it lacking in top speed, and the chassis was too similar to a production car to compete with the exotic designs of other machines. The project was therefore cancelled and the factory team folded. The privateer teams also either folded or bought more capable machines.

Miraculously, in 2003 British squad Team Elite announced plans to purchase Elise GT1 chassis #05 and to use in in the [[12 Hours of Sebring]] and [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] in 2004 as a closed cockpit [[Le Mans prototype]]. This was similar to a plan by [[Panoz]] and French squad Larbre Compétition to use a [[Panoz Esperante GTR-1]], a car which had originally competed with the Elise GT1 in FIA GT in 1997, as a closed cockpit prototype as well. The Elise would be modified to meet modern regulations as well as to attempt to bring the seven year old car up to speed. Unfortunately at Sebring the car proved its age, lasting a mere seven laps before its transmission failed. The project was promptly cancelled.

==Bitter GT1==
Former factory driver Mike Hezemans of the Netherlands, feeling that the Elise GT1's main faults were in its power and aerodynamics, decided that the car should not be abandoned. Buying two former Elise GT1 chassis, Hezemans turned to [[Bitter Cars]] of Germany to modify the car. The front end was made longer and smoother in an attempt to increase front downforce. To replace the Elise GT1's Chevrolet V8, Hezemans and Bitter turned to [[Chrysler]], buying [[Dodge Viper|Viper]] GTS-R 8.0L V10s which were being used in their GT2 class racing cars. The new cars were named Bitter GT1s, and promised to compete in the [[1998 FIA GT Championship season]].

Unfortunately the cars were never able to match even the lackluster performance of the original Elise GT1s. The only race in which they actually competed, [[Silverstone Circuit|Silverstone]], saw both Bitters failing to finish. After failing to even get past initial practice at [[Hockenheimring]], the project was cancelled.

=== Road legal Lotus Elise GT1s===

There are at least two road legal Lotus Elise GT1, both are believed to be converted race cars.
One is in the uk, that car appied in an artical in evo magazine.
The other is believed to be in holland.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Elise1.jpg
</gallery>

==External links==
* [http://www.bittercars.com/bitter/bitter.nsf/pages/otherprojects Bitter GT1]

http://www.supercars.net/cars/1035.html

{{Lotus}}

[[Category:Racing cars]]
[[Category:Lotus vehicles|Elise GT1]]

Lotus Elise GT1

2007-06-30T12:05:11Z

88.107.207.248:

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | [[Image:2lotus elise gt1 23 front donington.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Lotus]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| aka
| {{{aka (Type here, not up there)}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| {{{produced from when to when+total units made (optional)}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| {{{Class}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| {{{Body-Style}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
| {{{length - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
| {{{Width - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;
| Height
| {{{Height - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| {{{wheelbase - type here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
| {{{Weight - you get the point}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| {{{transmission + drive}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| {{{engine}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| {{{Horsepower and Torque rating}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| {{{similar (competition)}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Designer
| {{{Designer (lead designer if it was a team effort)}}}
|}

The '''Lotus Elise GT1''' (also known as the '''Lotus GT1''' and known internally as '''Type-115''') was a [[race car]] developed for [[grand tourer]]-style [[sports car racing]] starting in 1997.

==Development==
[[Lotus Cars]] had previous been using a racing version of their [[Lotus Esprit]] model in the [[BPR Global Endurance GT Championship]] since its foundation in 1994, competing in the premiere GT1 class against the likes of the [[McLaren F1 GTR]], [[Venturi]] 600LM, [[Ferrari F40]] GTE, and others. However in 1997 the series became known as the [[FIA GT Championship]], and manufacturer involvement was increased with the new international exposure. [[Porsche]] was the first to start a new breed of racing car in 1996, with their purpose-built homologation special known as the [[Porsche 911|911 GT1]]. This was quickly followed by announcement that [[Mercedes-Benz]] planned to do the same with their [[Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR|CLK-GTR]] for 1997.

Thus Lotus decided that in order to remain competitive in the GT1 class, let alone be victorious, they would be required to follow the route set forth by Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. However, aware that they lacked the resources available that Porsche and Mercedes had to create not only the race cars but also the production supercars at a guarenteed loss of money for the company, Lotus decided to take an alternate route. Through interpretation of the rules for FIA GT, Lotus realized they would only need to build a single production car in order to meet homologation requirements. The car would not even need to be sold to a customer, it merely had to be built.

With this in mind, Lotus turned to designing their racing car. Lotus decided to abandon the aged Esprit chassis and instead turn to its new sportscar, the [[Lotus Elise|Elise]]. Mechnically, only the Elise's aluminium chassis was retained for the GT1, although it was heavily modified from its stock form. A new carbon fiber body that resembled the Elise was built, featuring a much longer length in order to increase the car's aerodynamic capabilities.

For an engine, Lotus knew that the Elise's stock [[straight-4 engine]] would not be able to compete, and so it was initially decided that the car would use the 3.5L [[V8 engine]] out of the old Esprit racing car, attached to a [[Hewland]] six-speed sequential gear box. This engine would only appear in the production car however, as testing proved that it was unreliable in comparison to the competition. Instead, the racing cars used [[GM LT engine|Chevrolet LT5]] 6.0L [[V8]] engines from the [[Chevrolet Corvette]] ZR-1, a car which Lotus had originally helped to develop when they had been owned by [[General Motors]]. With this, seven Elise GT1 racing chassis were built, going to factory teams GT1 Lotus Racing as well as privateer GBF UK, First Racing Project, and MVR Racing.

==Racing history==
Debuting at the first round of the [[1997 FIA GT Championship season]], the three factory Elise GT1s took to the grid. Unfortunately, their debut was short lived, as all three cars failed to finish, all due to alternator problems in the engine. For race two, privateer GBF UK received their two cars. Again the three factory cars suffered, failing to finish because of gearbox difficulty. GBF's Elise GT1s fared slightly better, with one of their entries actually finishing, although classified last and 25 laps down from the winner.

The third race of the season in Helsinki was a shorter race, featuring a smaller field. Only three Elise GT1s were entered, but GBF was able to succeed in taking 5th place, earning them points in the championship. The other two Elise GT1s also finished the race as well, an improvement for the company.

However as the season progressed, the teams began to suffer. After Helsinki was the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]], in which only a lone GT1 was entered due to concern over the ability of the car to last 24 hours. The car unfortunately did fail due to an oil leak after 121 laps. Returning to FIA at the [[Nürburgring]], the full team managed to muster only 11th place, while at [[Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps|Spa]] they achieved 8th, but at [[Zeltweg]] all five cars failed to finish again. The teams did not attempt the [[Suzuka Circuit|Suzuka]] round, and again could only earn 12th place at [[Donington Park|Donington]] and 11th at [[Mugello Circuit|Mugello]] when the series returned to Europe. The final two races in the United States saw only the factory team bring two cars, in which they managed a 13th and 9th place finish. The factory squad ended the season without any points, while GBF's points finish at Helsinki earned them 8th place in the championship.

Following the 1997 season, Lotus and its parent company, [[Proton|Proton]], decided that the GT1 was not only lacking in pace in comparison to Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and the older McLarens, but that it was also extremely expensive. The Chevrolet V8 was not a custom built race engine like its competitors leaving it lacking in top speed, and the chassis was too similar to a production car to compete with the exotic designs of other machines. The project was therefore cancelled and the factory team folded. The privateer teams also either folded or bought more capable machines.

Miraculously, in 2003 British squad Team Elite announced plans to purchase Elise GT1 chassis #05 and to use in in the [[12 Hours of Sebring]] and [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] in 2004 as a closed cockpit [[Le Mans prototype]]. This was similar to a plan by [[Panoz]] and French squad Larbre Compétition to use a [[Panoz Esperante GTR-1]], a car which had originally competed with the Elise GT1 in FIA GT in 1997, as a closed cockpit prototype as well. The Elise would be modified to meet modern regulations as well as to attempt to bring the seven year old car up to speed. Unfortunately at Sebring the car proved its age, lasting a mere seven laps before its transmission failed. The project was promptly cancelled.

==Bitter GT1==
Former factory driver Mike Hezemans of the Netherlands, feeling that the Elise GT1's main faults were in its power and aerodynamics, decided that the car should not be abandoned. Buying two former Elise GT1 chassis, Hezemans turned to [[Bitter Cars]] of Germany to modify the car. The front end was made longer and smoother in an attempt to increase front downforce. To replace the Elise GT1's Chevrolet V8, Hezemans and Bitter turned to [[Chrysler]], buying [[Dodge Viper|Viper]] GTS-R 8.0L V10s which were being used in their GT2 class racing cars. The new cars were named Bitter GT1s, and promised to compete in the [[1998 FIA GT Championship season]].

Unfortunately the cars were never able to match even the lackluster performance of the original Elise GT1s. The only race in which they actually competed, [[Silverstone Circuit|Silverstone]], saw both Bitters failing to finish. After failing to even get past initial practice at [[Hockenheimring]], the project was cancelled.

=== Road legal Lotus Elise GT1s===

There are at least two road legal Lotus Elise GT1, both are believed to be converted race cars.
One is in the uk, that car appied in an artical in evo magazine.
The other is believed to be in holland.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Elise1.jpg
</gallery>

==External links==
* [http://www.bittercars.com/bitter/bitter.nsf/pages/otherprojects Bitter GT1]

{{Lotus}}

[[Category:Racing cars]]
[[Category:Lotus vehicles|Elise GT1]]

Lotus Elise

2007-06-30T11:56:11Z

88.107.207.248:

[[Image:Lotus Elise.jpg|thumb|right|350px|The '''[[Lotus]] Elise''']]
The '''Lotus Elise''' is a roadster conceived in early 1994 and released in September 1995 by the English manufacturer [[Lotus|Lotus Cars]]. The car has a hand finished fiberglass body shell atop its innovative aluminium extrusion frame that provides a rigid platform for the suspension, while keeping weight and production costs to a minimum. The Elise was named after then Lotus' chairman Romano Artioli's granddaughter, "Elisa". The base price on the Lotus Cars website is $ 42,990. The Elise is also the lightest car sold in America at 1980 lb.

==Series 2==

Announced on October 9th 2000, the Series 2 Elise was a redesigned Series 1 using a slightly modified version of the Series 1 chassis and the same [[K-series]] engine with a brand new Lotus-developed [[ECU]].

The design of the body paid homage to the still-born [[Lotus M250|M250]] project and was the first Lotus to be designed on computer. The Series 2 Elise is built on the same production line also created for the [[Vauxhall VX220]]/[[Opel Speedster]] in a newer facility at Hethel. Both cars shared many parts, including the chassis, although they have totally different drivetrains and powerplants. The Vauxhall / Opel version has since ceased production.

The series 2 was also available as a 111S model, with the [[VVT]] engine technology. Also released was the Lotus Sport 160, which is a Lotus 111S Series 2 with the additional track handling package. The 111S models were discontinued in 2005.

===111R===

This Series 2 Elise model comes in European 111R version or a version sold in North America, called the Federal Elise. It is powered by the all-aluminium 189 [[HP|hp]] (141 kW) Yamaha-designed, Toyota-produced [[Toyota ZZ engine#2ZZ|2ZZ-GE]] engine, has a Toyota gearbox and is acclaimed as the best version of the Elise to date, with tremendous performance numbers, with many tests resulting in 0-60 mph in approximately 4.5 s.

The 2005 Lotus Elise was the first to be sold commercially in the United States, in the summer of 2004. Approval for the Elise, however, required intervention by the [[National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]] (NHTSA) who provided a three-year exemption for the car, as it had failed to meet US bumper regulations. The next-generation Elise, due in 2007, will be required to comply with the rules unless Lotus gets an exemption extension, like it did on multiple occasions with its previous USA distributed car, the [[Lotus Esprit|Esprit]].

This model has been followed up by the 2006 Model Year Elise 111R and SportRacer models.

==Series 1==
[[Image:LotusEliseSnetterton.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Series 1 Lotus Elise "Above the Apex" at Snetterton's Russell Chicane]]
The design philosophy of Lotus is "Performance through low weight", a philosophy first adopted by the founder of Lotus, [[Colin Chapman]]. The motto drives Lotus to obtain very high performance with lightweight cars in spite of their relatively modest power outputs, with a strong emphasis on driving purity and dynamics. This concept was taken to an extreme by the London-based engineer Max David.

The result is a sports car which weighed in at less than 680 kg (1500 lb). The production version of the 1996 Lotus Elise tipped the scales at an unprecedented 675 kg (1488 lb). Compare this to a [[Porsche Boxster]] which is also considered to be an extremely lightweight sports car but weighs nearly twice as much - 1250 kg (2756 lb).

As a result the Elise's acceleration, braking, cornering, and fuel consumption (all of which are improved by reductions in a car's weight) was nothing short of astonishing in spite of the fact that the engine put out a relatively modest 120 bhp (89 kW). Compare that to 201 bhp (149 kW) produced by the 1997 Porsche Boxster.

Although high-tech, it represented affordable cost of ownership for sports car lovers on a budget who still wanted performance and looks.

===111S===
[[Image:Elise111S.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Lotus Elise 111S at speed on a Trackday]]

The original Elise, called the Series 1 was augmented by a faster edition called the 111S, named after the Lotus type-number of the Elise - M111. The 111S was introduced in early 1999 and contained the [[VVC]] engine, a [[Rover (car)|Rover]] [[K series]] with a modified head and [[VVT]] type technology rather than the standard [[Rover (car)|Rover]] 1.8 L [[K-series]] unit. It also had more padding in the seats to the horror of purists and the relief of those with nerve endings in their bottoms.

===340R===

In [[2000]], the [[Lotus_340R|340R]] limited edition model, based on a Series 1 Elise was introduced. This roofless car was a special edition, limited to only 340 cars being built.

===Lotus Elise GT1 (also known as the Lotus GT1 and known internally as Type-115)===

In 1997 Lotus needed a replacement for the Esprit GT1s as there only other product at the time the Elies was there only other useable car.

http://wikicars.org/en/Lotus_Elise_GT1

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Lotuselise.jpg|
</gallery>

{{Lotus}}

==External links==
*[http://www.grouplotus.com/ Lotus Official Site]
*[http://www.lotuscars.com/ Lotus USA Official Site]
*[http://www.elisetalk.com/ Lotus Elise America unofficial message board]
*[http://www.seloc.org/ SELOC, a not-for-profit global internet-based Lotus Enthusiasts Club, with a very active message board]
*[http://auto.howstuffworks.com/lotus-elise.htm "How the Lotus Elise Works" from Howstuffworks]

This page uses content from Wikipedia; see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Elise Lotus Elise], which includes these [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lotus_Elise&action=history contributors].

[[Category:Current Models]]
[[Category:Lotus vehicles|Elise]]
[[Category:Mid-engined vehicles]]
[[Category:Sports cars]]

Lotus Elise

2007-06-30T11:54:42Z

88.107.207.248:

[[Image:Lotus Elise.jpg|thumb|right|350px|The '''[[Lotus]] Elise''']]
The '''Lotus Elise''' is a roadster conceived in early 1994 and released in September 1995 by the English manufacturer [[Lotus|Lotus Cars]]. The car has a hand finished fiberglass body shell atop its innovative aluminium extrusion frame that provides a rigid platform for the suspension, while keeping weight and production costs to a minimum. The Elise was named after then Lotus' chairman Romano Artioli's granddaughter, "Elisa". The base price on the Lotus Cars website is $ 42,990. The Elise is also the lightest car sold in America at 1980 lb.

==Series 2==

Announced on October 9th 2000, the Series 2 Elise was a redesigned Series 1 using a slightly modified version of the Series 1 chassis and the same [[K-series]] engine with a brand new Lotus-developed [[ECU]].

The design of the body paid homage to the still-born [[Lotus M250|M250]] project and was the first Lotus to be designed on computer. The Series 2 Elise is built on the same production line also created for the [[Vauxhall VX220]]/[[Opel Speedster]] in a newer facility at Hethel. Both cars shared many parts, including the chassis, although they have totally different drivetrains and powerplants. The Vauxhall / Opel version has since ceased production.

The series 2 was also available as a 111S model, with the [[VVT]] engine technology. Also released was the Lotus Sport 160, which is a Lotus 111S Series 2 with the additional track handling package. The 111S models were discontinued in 2005.

===111R===

This Series 2 Elise model comes in European 111R version or a version sold in North America, called the Federal Elise. It is powered by the all-aluminium 189 [[HP|hp]] (141 kW) Yamaha-designed, Toyota-produced [[Toyota ZZ engine#2ZZ|2ZZ-GE]] engine, has a Toyota gearbox and is acclaimed as the best version of the Elise to date, with tremendous performance numbers, with many tests resulting in 0-60 mph in approximately 4.5 s.

The 2005 Lotus Elise was the first to be sold commercially in the United States, in the summer of 2004. Approval for the Elise, however, required intervention by the [[National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]] (NHTSA) who provided a three-year exemption for the car, as it had failed to meet US bumper regulations. The next-generation Elise, due in 2007, will be required to comply with the rules unless Lotus gets an exemption extension, like it did on multiple occasions with its previous USA distributed car, the [[Lotus Esprit|Esprit]].

This model has been followed up by the 2006 Model Year Elise 111R and SportRacer models.

==Series 1==
[[Image:LotusEliseSnetterton.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Series 1 Lotus Elise "Above the Apex" at Snetterton's Russell Chicane]]
The design philosophy of Lotus is "Performance through low weight", a philosophy first adopted by the founder of Lotus, [[Colin Chapman]]. The motto drives Lotus to obtain very high performance with lightweight cars in spite of their relatively modest power outputs, with a strong emphasis on driving purity and dynamics. This concept was taken to an extreme by the London-based engineer Max David.

The result is a sports car which weighed in at less than 680 kg (1500 lb). The production version of the 1996 Lotus Elise tipped the scales at an unprecedented 675 kg (1488 lb). Compare this to a [[Porsche Boxster]] which is also considered to be an extremely lightweight sports car but weighs nearly twice as much - 1250 kg (2756 lb).

As a result the Elise's acceleration, braking, cornering, and fuel consumption (all of which are improved by reductions in a car's weight) was nothing short of astonishing in spite of the fact that the engine put out a relatively modest 120 bhp (89 kW). Compare that to 201 bhp (149 kW) produced by the 1997 Porsche Boxster.

Although high-tech, it represented affordable cost of ownership for sports car lovers on a budget who still wanted performance and looks.

===111S===
[[Image:Elise111S.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Lotus Elise 111S at speed on a Trackday]]

The original Elise, called the Series 1 was augmented by a faster edition called the 111S, named after the Lotus type-number of the Elise - M111. The 111S was introduced in early 1999 and contained the [[VVC]] engine, a [[Rover (car)|Rover]] [[K series]] with a modified head and [[VVT]] type technology rather than the standard [[Rover (car)|Rover]] 1.8 L [[K-series]] unit. It also had more padding in the seats to the horror of purists and the relief of those with nerve endings in their bottoms.

===340R===

In [[2000]], the [[Lotus_340R|340R]] limited edition model, based on a Series 1 Elise was introduced. This roofless car was a special edition, limited to only 340 cars being built.

Lotus Elise GT1 (also known as the Lotus GT1 and known internally as Type-115)

In 1997 lotus needed a replacement for the esprit gt1s as there only other product at the time the elies was there only other useable car
http://wikicars.org/en/Lotus_Elise_GT1

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Lotuselise.jpg|
</gallery>

{{Lotus}}

==External links==
*[http://www.grouplotus.com/ Lotus Official Site]
*[http://www.lotuscars.com/ Lotus USA Official Site]
*[http://www.elisetalk.com/ Lotus Elise America unofficial message board]
*[http://www.seloc.org/ SELOC, a not-for-profit global internet-based Lotus Enthusiasts Club, with a very active message board]
*[http://auto.howstuffworks.com/lotus-elise.htm "How the Lotus Elise Works" from Howstuffworks]

This page uses content from Wikipedia; see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Elise Lotus Elise], which includes these [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lotus_Elise&action=history contributors].

[[Category:Current Models]]
[[Category:Lotus vehicles|Elise]]
[[Category:Mid-engined vehicles]]
[[Category:Sports cars]]