Legendary Cars: Lotus Elise GT1 Stradale – Auto Sportive

La Lotus Elise GT1 it is a chimera, as beautiful as it is rare and terrifying in its characteristics. The 80s were golden years for supercars, a period marked by the aftermath of the turbo-charged excesses of the XNUMX and the rev-hungry naturally aspirated engines into the new decade.

Between 1994 and 1996, the manufacturer Lotus he decided to participate in the championship BPR Global GT series with his latest creation, little Eliza. The regulation called for the production of a dozen road cars to be able to compete; It just so happens that House Hetel has spawned one of the craziest and most incredible machines of all time.

Aesthetically, the GT One looks likeEliza S1 steroid. The aluminum frame is the only thing left of the production model; while the suspension, aerodynamics, engine, brakes and all other components have been changed. Two racing versions were built: the Lotus Elise GT1. Chevrolet Lt5 и Type 918.

Both, despite the extended track and wheelbase, weighed less than 1000 kg. The first was powered by a 8 horsepower, 6.0-liter naturally aspirated Corvette V616 engine and rear-wheel drive, while Lotus Type 918 it was equipped with a V8 3.5 biturbo engine spirit with power increased to 560 horsepower and a monstrous torque of 726 Nm at 3.600 rpm.

Although 6.0 liters was much more powerful, version twin turbo V8 he pressed so hard and with such a sharp pitch that it was much more difficult to control him.

The road version was equipped with the same 8-liter twin-turbo V3.5, but with a more humane power of “only” 350 horsepower at 6.500 rpm and 400 Nm of torque at 4.250 rpm.

To give the earth so much fun, the GT1 installed bus from 275/35 ZR 18 to the front

and even from the 345/35 ZR18 at the back. The problem is that when the huge rear wheels stopped biting, the oversteer became fast and difficult to control.

In running order, the car weighed just over 1050 kg, accelerated from 0 to 100 km / h in 3,8 seconds and reached a maximum speed of 320 km / h. Just imagine what 320 km / h on one Lotus Eliza, complete with a screaming V8 and blown turbos, all in a car that is easy to drive on the road.

There seems to be even a street example in England Lotus GT1 former competition with 600 hp. With this power-to-weight ratio, even the best modern supercars sweat in the cold.